ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that attachment behaviour can be understood as an expression of the increasing awareness of the need for safety on the part of the person with dementia. It discusses how the same memory impairments lead to persons with dementia looking for 'safety'. The chapter shows that both parent orientation and parent fixation can occur as a result of feeling frightened and unsafe. It provides three explanations that might help to prevent parent fixation in old persons with dementia. The sighs of family members, fellow residents, and care staff can be readily understood when people with dementia continually tag along with them, try to latch on in any possible way and don't give them a moment's rest. It appears that parent orientation is most intense when the feelings of loss at the parent's death are strongly present. No form of closeness or comfort helps when the person with dementia is asking for more safety than any person can provide.
