{"id":6177,"date":"2023-08-14T16:29:21","date_gmt":"2023-08-14T16:29:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dementiauk.org\/?page_id=6177"},"modified":"2026-03-18T16:19:45","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T16:19:45","slug":"when-someone-doesnt-recognise-you","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.dementiauk.org\/information-and-support\/looking-after-yourself-as-a-carer\/when-someone-doesnt-recognise-you\/","title":{"rendered":"When someone doesn’t recognise you"},"content":{"rendered":"

Often, people with dementia stop recognising those around them. This can be frightening<\/a> for the person and upsetting for their family and friends. Our dementia specialist Admiral Nurses share why this happens and give advice on coping with this difficult stage.<\/p>\n

Understanding dementia and lack of recognition<\/a><\/h2>\n

Why a person with dementia might stop recognising you<\/h3>\n

Sometimes, memory issues can cause someone to struggle to recognise their family or friends. The person with dementia may believe they are living in the past, reliving memories from when they were younger. They may expect their grown-up children to still be small, meaning they don\u2019t recognise them as adults. They might believe that their parents are still alive, and mistake someone else for them. They might think they are still in a previous relationship and not recognise their partner.<\/p>\n

In other cases, the part of the brain that is responsible for recognising faces can become damaged. This is referred to as \u2018prosopagnosia\u2019 or \u2018face blindness\u2019.<\/p>\n

If a person with dementia is failing to recognise you or others for the first time or seems distressed in your company, there may be another underlying cause, such as an infection, constipation or a reaction to medication changes. It\u2019s a good idea to make an appointment with their GP to rule out causes that could be treatable.<\/p>\n

The stages of dementia and loss of recognition<\/a><\/h2>\n

At what stage of dementia might recognition become an issue?<\/h3>\n

Struggling to recognise people tends to become more common in the middle<\/a> or late stages<\/a> of dementia, although this can vary from person to person.<\/p>\n

The emotional impact when someone with dementia forgets you<\/a><\/h2>\n

Coping with the emotional impact on family and friends<\/h3>\n

As a family member or friend of the person with dementia, it can be very hard when they don\u2019t recognise you, particularly if you are close. You might feel a sense of grief and loss<\/a>, even though they are still alive.<\/p>\n

However, it doesn\u2019t mean the person has totally forgotten you. They will often feel an attachment to you and enjoy your company even if they can\u2019t remember your name or how you are connected to them.<\/p>\n

If, as a carer, you are finding this stage difficult to cope with, it’s important not to struggle alone. You might want to talk to someone about your feelings, such as a dementia specialist Admiral Nurse. You can also find new ways to enjoy your changing relationship<\/a>, and take steps to look after yourself<\/a> so you feel mentally stronger to cope with this change in your loved one.<\/p>\n

Helping a person with dementia recognise family and friends<\/a><\/h2>\n

There are some ways in which you can help the person recognise their family members and friends.<\/p>\n

Using photos as memory aids<\/h3>\n

Photos can be useful in reminding a person with dementia who someone is.<\/p>\n