Sounds interesting - I think I might try and get hold of the book.

And do my best to ignore the way that the (Murdoch owned) source cynically turned this potential life changer into a party political propaganda-fest.

This will sound more snarky than I intend, but I really mean it: it definitely seems worth a shot, because if it doesn't work, it's not like they're going to remember that you tried it. I'm lucky in that I haven't spent too much time around relatives with dementia or Alzheimers, but this approach still seems like an obviously good idea.

I have always had a terrible memory, and it can be really frustrating and embarrassing when I forget something even as simple as where I was driving to. (It happens somewhat often that I'll get it in my head that I'm going to one place, and I'll keep driving there, even if plans change and now I'm supposed to go somewhere totally different.) I'm relatively young, and the holes in my brain aren't big enough to cause real problems for me, so it's appropriate for people to remind me about the things I forget - I generally remember that they're right - but it can still be a downer when it happens. I can barely imagine what a life full of that would be like.

My friend did this with her uncle and later her grandmother. (she did not read anything about it, she figured it out on her own) At first she would try and get them into the present as what most do, and realized it caused stress. When she started agreeing with them, they would calm down.

Her uncle would get paranoid that someone was in the house and had stolen his financial documents. At first she countered him which just stressed him out terribly. Later, she would say, "Oh my gosh, are you serious? I'll have to look into that." At which point, he would calm down instantly.

I was pretty impressed that she figured this out on her own and later implemented the same thing with her grandmother.

That sounds completely exhausting for the caretaker. Sure, it's not a big deal if it's doctor's office vs. airport, but what about "you're my child" vs. "hi, stranger"?

And working with kids has shown me that while you can pacify a child for awhile through deception, if they catch on, it's a disaster. Sometimes worse than the truth. I wonder if the same applies to elderly people.

The article mentions that it depends on the person having the wherewithal to handle it, and I bet that's tough, but it's mighty tough the other way too.

I'm sure it would, but the folks they're talking about aren't going to catch on, and wouldn't remember later even if they did.