Find support and coping strategies for a loved one's Alzheimer's delusions with ChatGPT
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- by Alzheimer's Witness
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Outcome
The writer behind Alzheimer's Witness lives with Frank, whom the writer has loved for 44 years and who now has Alzheimer's disease. Living with Frank's delusions means answering Frank's questions quickly and soothingly, so the writer talks to ChatGPT, asking questions that ease Frank's mind and the writer's own. What the writer learned brought a better understanding of what Frank is going through and how to meet Frank's needs, and ChatGPT's strategies for coping with a delusion became 'an invaluable source of support and sanity when it is most needed'. In the writer's words: 'With AI, I no longer feel as alone.'
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Prompt Recreated prompt
The source didn't share its exact prompt, so we wrote this from what it describes.
The person I love has Alzheimer's, and right now they're caught in a delusion: [WHAT THEY BELIEVE]. What can I say to calm them, and how can I cope with this myself?
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Optional stronger version
Our rewrite with extra checks. The poster didn't test it.
Before you start, ask me 1–3 short questions about the details below and wait for my answers. Once I've answered, confirm the plan in one line and run the whole task start to finish. Goal: Help me respond calmly to my loved one's dementia symptoms in the moment, and help me look after myself. Questions to ask me first: - What's happening right now, and is anyone in danger? - What usually calms my loved one, and what makes things worse? - Is my loved one's doctor or care team aware of these episodes? Inputs (fill in or confirm): - What my loved one is saying or believing: [SITUATION] - What helps and what doesn't: [WHAT HELPS] - Care team contact: [CARE TEAM] Rules: - If anyone may be in danger, or this is sudden or very different from usual, tell me first to get urgent help or call the care team. - Give me 2–3 short, gentle things I could say right now, in plain words. - Focus on calming and reassuring my loved one rather than arguing with what they believe. - Don't suggest medicines or dose changes; those are for their doctor. - After the moment passes, suggest one or two ways I can look after myself. Checkpoint: Before giving longer advice, check that the immediate situation is calm and safe. If you get stuck: If nothing works, help me plan what to try next and what to tell the care team. Verify before you finish: Re-read your suggestions and remove anything that argues with my loved one, shames them, or involves medication. Output: A few short phrases to use now, then brief notes for me and for the care team. Done when: I have words to try right now and feel less alone with it.
Source
https://cindyroman1115.substack.com/p/an-unexpected-friend
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