<s>[INST] My wife, age 66, has most of the signs of early alzheimers. However, one is very troubling to me: she makes up stories that those around her are trying to hurt her and are a danger to her. She really thinks that these events are true. I dont know how to handle this. [/INST] Hi, I can understand your concern regarding your wives symptoms. Dementia is a condition where a person cognitive functions like memory, attention, judgement, etc. starts getting impaired. Dementia can be due to multiple causes including Alzheimer's disease. In addition to memory, a person suffering from dementia can have symptoms of hallucinations and delusions as well. In fact, in some types of dementia, such symptoms may predominate the picture. You wife suspecting that people are trying to harm her is suggestive of her developing paranoid delusions. I would suggest you seek a neurological consultation for evaluation of the cause of dementia. In addition, a psychiatric consultation can be sought for evaluation of behavioral symptoms. She would need a brain scan to rule out any other cause of dementia. Treatment with medications like donepezil or meantime would be required for her memory symptoms. In addition, treatment with anti-psychotic Chat Doctor.  Hope this information was helpful. Best wishes. </s>