Dealing with Fibs and Fabrications from Older Adults in Your Care

Caregivers can learn strategies to address lies and ensure the well-being of loved ones.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Caregivers often face frustration when older adults in their care are not fully truthful about their health, medication adherence, or daily activities. This can stem from a desire to maintain independence, avoid worrying family, or cognitive impairments that make it difficult to recall the truth. While the reasons vary, the risks of untruthfulness can be serious, leading to medical emergencies or worsening conditions. Experts advise caregivers to approach the situation with empathy and find ways to gently uncover the truth to ensure the older adult's safety and well-being.

Why it matters

Older adults may be inclined to minimize or hide difficulties they are experiencing due to fears of losing independence or burdening loved ones. However, this can put their health and safety at serious risk if caregivers are unaware of issues like falls, medication non-adherence, or other problems. Learning to navigate these situations with care and understanding is crucial for effective caregiving.

The details

Older adults may be prone to "lies of omission" or minimizing problems they are facing, whether intentionally or due to cognitive impairments. This can include not disclosing falls, symptoms like incontinence or dizziness, or failure to use assistive devices. Experts say this is often driven by a desire to maintain independence and avoid worrying family. In cases of dementia, the person may truly not be aware of their own limitations. Regardless of the reason, the risks are high if caregivers are unaware of serious medical issues.

  • Research has found that when older adults are instructed to lie, they are more likely to accept the falsehood as truth an hour later than younger adults are.

The players

Barry J. Jacobs

A clinical psychologist in the Philadelphia area and coauthor of The AARP Caregiver Answer Book.

Dr. George Grossberg

Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience and director of the division of geriatric psychiatry at the St. Louis University School of Medicine.

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What they’re saying

“As people get older, and they're not as physically or cognitively able, older adults may be apt to minimize difficulties they're having and be reluctant to ask for help.”

— Barry J. Jacobs, Clinical psychologist (AARP)

“Cognitive impairment can lead to nonadherence to medications and other recommendations from a health care provider.”

— Dr. George Grossberg, Professor and geriatric psychiatry director (AARP)

The takeaway

Caregivers must approach situations of untruthfulness from older adults with empathy and a focus on uncovering the truth, in order to ensure the safety and well-being of their loved ones. While the reasons for deception may vary, the risks of not addressing issues like falls, medication non-adherence, or other problems can be severe.