Dementia is a devastating disease that can be terrifying for all involved. But it’s also important to remember that you aren’t alone in this—and neither are your loved ones. That’s why it’s important to tell your family members when you have a dementia diagnosis, Alzheimer’s, or another form of dementia. Here are the main reasons why:
They Can Help You More if They Know What’s Going On
If your family knows what’s happening, they can help you more. They can find support groups or resources in your area. They might also be able to connect you with a neurologist or neuropsychologist who specializes in dementia and memory disorders.
Letting them know what’s going on is crucial. It means that the people close to you know what’s going on and can help guide you through the process of getting diagnosed and treated for Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia.
You’ll Get Better Support if You’re Open with Them
If you are diagnosed with dementia, you must let your family members know so they can start helping as soon as possible. They can help you with tasks that have become difficult or even take over some of your responsibilities entirely. Additionally, they can help handle any legal issues arising from having a loved one with dementia. For example, if someone needs power of attorney over their finances or healthcare decisions.
What They Don’t Know Could Hurt Them
Unfortunately, family members are not uncommonly in the dark about their loved one’s diagnosis. Sixty-nine percent of people with dementia have not told their families about it at all.
Not telling them may seem like an easy way to avoid dealing with your diagnosis. Still, it makes things much harder on everyone involved. This is especially true if something were to happen. No one knows what’s going on. If you don’t want your family members getting hurt or confused by what they see happening to you, then make sure that you tell them everything there is to know!
Your Family Needs to Help You Prepare for the Future
When diagnosed with dementia, planning for the future should be a priority. Your family members can help you decide what care options are best for you, and they may even be able to help pay for those services. They can also ensure that they meet your wishes
Suppose legal issues need addressing, such as whether someone has the right to decide on your behalf. In that case, it’s best if everyone involved knows these issues as soon as possible so they can begin dealing with them accordingly.
They Won’t Feel Like You’re Hiding Things
You don’t have to tell your family about every single thing that’s going on in your life. Still, if you’re diagnosed with dementia and are trying to hide it from them, they’ll know. They might not understand why you’re doing it or how long the disease has progressed without treatment. They’ll sense something is different about how you act and interact with them.
That said, we don’t mean that you must share everything immediately. It just means everyone needs to know what’s happening and how far along things have progressed, medically speaking. That way, everyone can work together toward finding solutions instead of feeling you don’t trust them.
