You’ve noticed for some time that something seems a little “off” with Mom or Dad. Maybe she took a wrong turn on her nightly walk and got lost because she couldn’t remember what road to take. Or your dad forgot to pay the electricity bill and it was shut off. Little things that could happen to anyone, right? “It’s just a senior moment,” you may say or think. However…what if it’s not?
“When our loved ones suddenly start acting in a different way, it’s easy for us to brush it off as a one-time thing or something that’s not so serious, because for so long he or she has been strong and capable,” says Addie Ricci, Executive Director at Bridges® by EPOCH at Norwalk, located in Norwalk, CT. “It’s a completely understandable reaction. However, if the behavior continues and we consistently keep brushing it off, that denial can become dangerous.”
Refusing to believe that your loved one has dementia can actually cause the disease and your loved one’s quality of life to worsen, says Addie. “Ignoring the problem in the hope it will go away can worsen your loved one’s chance for helpful treatment,” she says. “There are more benefits from treatments if they’re started in the early stages of the disease. Plus, it’s possible that your loved one’s condition isn’t dementia and may be reversible if caught in time.”
When it comes to diagnosing dementia, Alzheimer’s disease or other cognitive issues, it’s better to catch it earlier than later. According to the Alzheimer’s Association®, catching neurocognitive diseases early can benefit individuals by:
- Helping potentially hold off the disease progression for as long as possible, or keep it from becoming worse for as long as possible
- Giving individuals with dementia the chance to participate in research and studies
- Allowing families and individuals the opportunity to make plans for the future
Many experts and doctors agree that diagnosing dementia early on helps improve quality of life and has social benefits for family members, caregivers and the person with dementia.
Eight Dangers of Denial
On the flip side, there are many dangers to denying that your loved one (or you personally) have dementia. While it’s normal to not want to accept a diagnosis, here are just a few of the risks you and your loved ones take:
1. Mismanagement of medication.
It can be hard for seniors to remember to take their medicine on the best of days. But if an individual has dementia, this can lead to overdosing, underdosing or dangerous drug interactions.
2. Avoidable accidents.
Since dementia is a brain-related disease, physical abilities are compromised along with reasoning and logic functioning. Leaving an individual with dementia alone could lead to falls, broken bones, burns from the stove or wandering (just to name a few).
3. Family conflicts.
Family members are often called the “second victims of dementia.” If some family members know that something must be done while others are still in denial about their parents’ situation, this can cause all kinds of trouble within the family dynamic.
4. Delaying much-needed help.
Logically, we know that there’s no shame in asking for help, but denying that we (or a loved one) need help can cause a lot of heartache that could be easily avoided. Caring for someone while pretending everything is normal can quickly become overwhelming and exhausting, leading to burnout, a poorer quality of life and often-avoidable hardships.
5. Missing opportunities to nurture relationships.
By pretending nothing’s wrong, you can miss the chance to intentionally create moments of joy and happiness in relationships.
6. Financial exploitation.
Seniors with dementia are vulnerable to scammers, telemarketers and unscrupulous people due to their inability to make sound judgment calls. Hearing of individuals with dementia who have lost their life’s savings due to a “foreign prince in Nigeria” scam or through the wiles of a family member is, sadly, not uncommon.
7. Not getting affairs in order.
Refusing to believe that anything is wrong can waste valuable time when the individual is of sound mind to put personal matters and affairs in place. Powers of attorney, advance health directives and other legal matters are harder to deal with as dementia progresses – along with financial matters and emotional issues.
8. Poorer health for caregivers.
Caring for someone with dementia is stressful and can even be injurious to family caregivers. By being in denial, it’s easy for loved ones to become worn out and need intensive care for themselves. Recognizing the reality and getting needed help results in a better quality of life – for everyone.
Finding Peace Through Acceptance and Resolution
It’s hard to accept that things have changed and that our loved ones are headed down a path that’s unchangeable. However, recognizing and acknowledging the reality – that your loved one has dementia – can help you appropriately work through your emotions and move forward to provide the best care and quality of life possible.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “healthy acceptance” means facing your feelings, acknowledging the difficulty of the situation and moving forward with clear understanding and a determination to be strong in the face of loss.
“Acceptance doesn’t mean that everything’s okay and that you’re fine with the changes that have been thrown your way,” says Addie. “It merely means that you’re viewing the situation with clear eyes and heart, understanding the difficulties and taking steps to help make life as good as possible for you and your loved one each and every day. It doesn’t mean that it’s easy and it doesn’t mean that you don’t have anger, frustration or other negative emotions. It merely means that you understand the reality, acknowledge the difficulties and pledge to do what is best to care and support your loved one – and you.”
Compassionate Care for All Stages of Memory Loss
Bridges® by EPOCH at Norwalk provides assisted living memory care that is comfortable, positive, safe and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia or memory impairment, we’ve created a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity and individual preferences. Our memory care professionals receive specialized and ongoing training designed to help residents maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment – making a truly positive impact on the lives of our residents each and every day.
Personalized Services
Bridges® by EPOCH at Norwalk’s services are designed to recognize and adapt to the unique challenges and individuality of each resident, while ensuring comfort and safety. We believe in a full-service approach to care and provide a high level of personalized attention for every stage of memory loss. At Bridges® by EPOCH at Norwalk, our residents have it all for one simple monthly fee.
Community Amenities
Within a beautiful residential design, Bridges® by EPOCH at Norwalk provides everything residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias need to enjoy comfort, familiarity and security. Soft colors, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life stations create a peaceful and secure environment where residents feel at home.
Contact us today to learn more.