Or maybe it's just wildly blown out of proportion. The husband doesn't seem to think it's a big deal.
I confess, the description of his hiding from her really made me laugh. I mean, really!
My guess is something is wrong with her, her face just looks sad, not like acutely, but like she has been sad a long time. Sometimes dementias start with depression and odd behavior, like trying to strangle a husband when we all know it is much more clever to just irritate them or shoot them. Think about it, have you ever known a woman who successfully strangled her husband? Who even tries that when shooting, stabbing, etc are much more common and successful.