When caring for someone with dementia, finding moments of laughter can be as precious as it is unexpected. While the journey has its challenges, humor often emerges in the most surprising ways, offering relief, connection, and joy amid difficult days.
In this heartwarming collection, we share real-life funny dementia stories that had us laughing out loud, from mixed-up words to wonderfully creative misunderstandings. These lighthearted moments remind us that even when memory fades, the capacity for laughter and love remains bright!
Funny Dementia Stories: See the Humor
Taking care of someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia means that you see and hear a lot of crazy things.
Sometimes the situation turns into something hilarious. When that happens, you can’t help but laugh.
We explain why laughter is helpful in caregiving, why finding the humor in a situation doesn’t mean or disrespect, and share funny stories from dementia caregivers.
Laughter Can Help Dementia Caregivers Cope
Humor is a great way to release stress and tension.
It also helps you cope with difficult emotions that come up when caring for someone with dementia.
Besides, don’t you always feel better after a good laugh?
You’re not Laughing at Anyone
Laughing at something funny your older adult says or does doesn’t make you a bad person.
You’re not laughing at them or being mean-spirited; you’re laughing at a silly situation. And don't be surprised if they end up laughing even louder than you!
Plus, humor is great for relieving tension in awkward situations.
For example, making a lighthearted comment when you’re helping someone with a personal task can help them feel less self-conscious.
Hear Funny Dementia Stories From Fellow Caregivers
Only people who have been caregivers can fully appreciate this kind of humor.
For a hearty therapeutic laugh, check out these articles with funny stories from Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers:
These six Dementia Stories Made us Laugh Out Loud
1. Hey sailor
“While working at an adult day care center for dementia patients, I attended to a female 90+ years old woman who was barely coherent. At one point, I was looking at her, thinking, ‘Are you still in there?’ She looked back at me, smiled, and said, ‘You like what you see, sailor?’”
– from Happy Hospitalist, in comments
2. Major weight loss
“Yesterday, I came home from work, and Mom came out to the kitchen to greet me. I said, ‘Mom, you have on my sweatpants!’ We each have a pair of the same soft, comfy green sweats, but hers are a size 14 and mine are a few sizes bigger. She said, ‘I thought I had lost a lot of weight!’ Then she pulled up her shirt to show me that she had pinned the pants to her bra to keep them up! We had a good laugh!”
– from AgingCare
3. Sham dirt!
“Mom was rifling around in her closet one day and I asked her what she was doing. Exasperated, she said ‘I’m trying to find my sham dirt!’ It took me a minute to figure out that she meant to say ‘damn shirt’. When she saw my puzzled look she started laughing.”
– from Easy Living
4. Who’s on First?
“My DH is a pastor, and even though he struggles with AD, a small local parish likes to have him come and do ‘supply work’ a couple of Sundays a month. The thing is, the parish is made up of about two dozen very elderly parishioners, many of whom have memory issues. It's a great fit because they introduce themselves to my husband every few weeks. He forgets who they are by the next time he's there, but it doesn't matter because they've forgotten they introduced themselves! I stand there sometimes and feel like I am in the old ‘Whose on First’ comedy routine! It's a match made in heaven :)”
– from The Alzheimer’s Spouse
5. Memory issues
“One day, early in my wife’s battle with Alzheimer’s, I made a statement about not remembering where I put something. She looked at me and asked if I needed one of her pills.”
– from Caregiver Stress
6. No kangaroos here!
“Little man sitting at bedside with a towel folded square on top of his head. When I asked why, he stated it was to keep the kangaroos away. I asked how it was working, and he said he hadn't seen one yet. We're in Georgia. There's no high population of kangaroos at our facility to begin with.”
– from Happy Hospitalist
Recommended for you:
- Find Humor in Caregiving to Ease Tension and Boost Mood
- How to Thrive as a Caregiver: 10 Things I Learned in Dementia Care
- Funny Things About Aging: Caregiver Humor in Cartoons
About the Author
Connie Chow
Connie was a hands-on caregiver for her grandmother for 20 years. (Grandma made it to 101 years old!) She knows how challenging, overwhelming, and all-consuming caring for an older adult can be. She also knows how important support is — especially in the form of practical solutions, valuable resources, and self-care tips.
My step father had dementia. While he was in care i read the novel Homing by Marc Luc Carrier about the adventures and misadventure of a son and estranged dementia afflicted father on a road trip from Florida to Montreal. Humour is used as a coping mechanism as the antihero faces the absurdities of the circumstances. It was a fast paced easy read that made me laugh during a difficult time.
Thanks for the suggestion! This sounds like a great book to bring some lightness to a challenging situation.
My dad has AD and I’ve been living in his home with him for 3 years as his caretaker. The other day, he wanted to call his brother, so I told him to grab his cell phone and I’d dial it for him. He returned a few moments later, handed me a chocolate chip cookie, and asked me to dial it. When I said, “Oh, dad, this isn’t your phone”, he reached onto the table and handed me a newspaper to dial instead.
Thanks for sharing your story! Your dad sounds like a wonderful person 💜
We were at the bank drive-thru. Dear One wanted some cash. “How much would you like?” I asked. “Six thousand dollars,” came the reply. “That’s a lot of cash to be carrying around,” I said. “What exactly do you plan to do with that six thousand dollars?” “Obviously,” he answered, “I plan to put it in the bank.”
Thank you for sharing this sweet story 🙂
My husband has had dementia at least 8 years. When I finally realized it was ok to laugh at the funny things that happen, I felt a load had been lifted. One of the funny things happened after he had had a Basel cell removed from his head. He had about6 or 8 stitches. He had been picking at the spot and I had constantly reminded him to leave it alone. From another room I heard him saying, “Ouch, ouch.” I checked and he was pulling at the stitches. When we returned to the doctor to have the stitches removed, there was only one left.
Thank you for sharing! It’s wonderful that you’re feeling lighter and able to laugh when a humorous moment presents itself 💜🙂
Our Mom called our brother to ask if he’d bern over. When he sai no, why, she said she thought he had been because there was a pair of black socks on het coffer table.
Thank you for sharing! How funny that the socks immediately reminded her of your brother 🙂
Hello – I absolutely LOVE this article. As a daughter with a mum going through dementia, our coping mechanism is to laugh at things all the time – it’s when Mum really lights up and when she’s happy, she tends to focus better rather than letting the dementia take hold and worry her. She’s aware of it, but doesn’t take it too seriously. I’ve started a blog about her and our relationship from first memories on my part of her odd behaviour and right up to today now that she’s safely cared for in a wonderful home in Bognor Regis, on the South Coast of England. I’d love to know if you think these stories could be a support to others.
It’s wonderful that you laugh so much with your mom, especially to take her mind off of things 🙂 Fantastic blog — it’s a great way to share your stories with the caregiving community!