One of the most challenging things to deal with, after a new diagnosis of Alzheimer’s in the family, is how to talk to others (including your loved one with Alzheimer’s) about his/her new diagnosis.
You may be wondering just how and who you should break the news to. Is it appropriate to tell neighbors and distant relatives? Here are some tips on sharing information about the disease:
If your loved one is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, he/she should be able to engage in the process of deciding who to tell about his/her new diagnosis and perhaps even be involved in discussions with friends, family members and/or neighbors.
Keep in mind that although Alzheimer’s disease has no cure, there is life after diagnosis. There are many promising new treatment options and even more support systems and resources specifically designed for those with Alzheimer’s and their family members.
If you are feeling particularly uncomfortable about how to discuss Alzheimer’s disease information with others, consider talking with a social worker, counselor or professional coach to get some guidance and support.
You may also want to consider a family conference to open lines of communication with the entire family about who should and should not be told and by whom.
When telling others about the Alzheimer’s diagnosis, don’t provide too much information all at once and try to tune in to evaluate how much the other person is able to deal with depending on his/her response. You can go into more detail, explaining symptoms and such later on. It’s important to stay in contact with a support system during the process to get tips and support from others who have been through the process and understand the stress you may be going through.
Learn more about important topics for caregivers by CLICKING HERE to sign up for our 25 topic course for Alzheimer’s caregivers at AlzU.org today.
