Today I bent the truth to be kind, and I have no regret, for I am far surer of what is kind than I am of what is true. — Robert Brault By Bob DeMarco Alzheimer’s Reading Room Recently, I had an interesting and wonderful conversation with Susan Frederickson, the Caregiver Program Specialist, for the Area Agency on Aging of the Permian Basin (Midland, Texas). Susan is full of knowledge and has a deep understanding of Alzheimer’s caregiver life. We talked about a long list of issues that Alzheimer’s caregivers deal with each day, and today I decided to write about “Lies”. About how difficult it can be when a person living with Alzheimer’s asks a question that if answered “truthfully” is likely to cause sadness, confusion, or might be met with challenging behavior. The issue. Is it more important to be truthful and cruel; or more important, to be kind? Subscribe to the Alzheimer’s Reading Room Email: It is easy for me to understand why an Alzheimer’s caregivers feels the need to tell the truth to someone living with Alzheimer’s even if the truth can be hurtful. After all who wants to be known as a liar? Persons who lie after often considered to be deceitful, untrustworthy, and are usually “looked down on”. Most people pride themselves on being honest, and for being known to be honest. To tell the truth or lie for the sake of the person living with dementia, this is a dilemma for many