He Wasn’t Combative — He Was Confused

Dementia isn’t just about forgetting names or losing track of time. It’s about identity, safety, dignity — and the heartbreaking way our systems often fail to protect all three.In this episode, we go deeper than the surface signs. We talk about: • What dementia really looks like in day-to-day life • Why labile mood, paranoia, and even aggression have real neurological roots • How overuse of antipsychotics can worsen outcomes • And why many patients with dementia are misdiagnosed, misunderstood, or mistreated — especially in inpatient psych settingsWe also discuss: • The importance of non-pharmacological interventions like redirection, music, and even baby dolls • How early symptoms get brushed off — or blamed on “just aging” • And what clinicians, caregivers, and loved ones need to understand to avoid doing harmThis episode challenges assumptions, validates caregiver exhaustion, and offers real strategies — not just for managing dementia, but for seeing the person still inside.Because they are still there.