This is a very emotional topic so I want to avoid being too critical of that opinion, but at the same time, it's much much deeper than "doesn't want to". Dement

This is a very emotional topic so I want to avoid being too critical of that opinion, but at the same time, it's much much deeper than "doesn't want to". Dementia patients depending on their state are a danger to others and themselves. Their limited ability to understand what's happening around them means that they can get aggressive. Even if not aggressive, they will just "get lost" and try to drive or "go for a walk" in the middle of the night in their pyjamas. I suppose from the way you phrased it that in your case it was mostly harmless and you just disliked getting weird looks, but a lot of dementia patients are actually incompatible with society and need to be detained or given anti-anxiety medications.