The signs of Alzheimer’s are generally subtle at first. The disease creeps up and begins to steal your elderly loved one in ways that may be difficult to recognize. Eventually, a time must come when you, your family, and your loved one must acknowledge what’s happening to seek the best treatments and long-term care solutions. For some, however, denying the truth is easier than accepting it.
The days, weeks, and months following an Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be challenging for both seniors and their families. However, these challenges can be made less stressful with the help of caregivers trained in professional Alzheimer’s care. Fremont Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help your loved one enjoy the golden years while simultaneously managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
The Stigma of Alzheimer’s
There remains a stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s disease due, at least in part, to a lack of awareness and understanding. According to Alzheimer’s Disease International, 75 percent of people with dementia and 66 percent of caregivers say others perceive people diagnosed with dementia negatively. Approximately 40 percent of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s say they’ve been treated differently since their diagnoses. Many people simply don’t know how to behave around someone with dementia, and this can be scary for the senior who is diagnosed, his or her family, and close friends.
Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality in-home care. Families trust Assisting Hands Home Care Fremont to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably.
Denial of the Diagnosis
Just as some family members will seek to hide a loved one’s diagnosis, many seniors who have been diagnosed will also try to deny an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, a common problem that can cause major conflict within the family. Whether it’s the senior who has been diagnosed denying it or the family members, both sides feel like denying the disease means everything will be fine. As long as no one acknowledges someone is sick and not going to get better, life can continue as it always has.
The stigma of the disease itself can also come into play. Some family members may try to hide their aging parent or grandparent’s diagnosis out of fear or apprehension, while others may hide it because they’re afraid to confront the disease itself. Denial is often a coping mechanism to hide emotions of fear, grief, loss, and uncertainty and is a deep part of the human psyche that plays into the instinct to reassure ourselves.
Learning to overcome the stigma of Alzheimer’s and accept a loved one’s diagnosis can take time, but recognizing the disease is important to preserve his or her quality of life. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. Trust your loved one’s care to the professionals at Assisting Hands Home Care. To create a customized home care plan for your loved one, call (510) 270-4948 today.
