How To Discuss The Sensitive Topic Of Memory Loss With A Relative

It’s quite disheartening to see some of the discourse around memory loss online. That’s because in some respects it’s treated as a joke. To the question of “when should you recommend live-in memory care centers for your grandparent?” the answer might be “when you’ve brought it up for the fifth time.”

But the truth is that memory loss, especially that which affects both short-term and long-term memory (though neither progress at perfectly synchronized rates), can affect someone’s life like almost nothing else. It can take a great deal of patience and care to help someone undergoing a condition like dementia. The hard truth is that few of us know how to really deal with this when the symptoms present themselves.

In this post, we’ll discuss a few methods you may wish to take if it’s an increasingly difficult and undeniable struggle your loved one is dealing with. We hope that with a little compassion and care, you’ll find a healthier way forward:

Invite A Healthcare Professional’s Guidance

This is never pleasant, but when you start noticing consistent, worrying changes in your loved one’s memory or behavior, the first step is always to bring in a doctor. Don’t try to diagnose or manage memory loss on your own, because professional guidance is essential to make sure they are properly able to start the process of getting the correct care, not just assumed care. A doctor can run tests to rule out other problems that might be causing the symptoms, like vitamin deficiencies or side effects from medicine.

They also can give you a clear diagnosis and help you understand what kind of condition they may be dealing with. At the very least, knowing is better than wondering what could be happening.

Speak About Supportive Options Early

Having conversations about what future care might look like should happen as early as possible, well before things get difficult. This isn’t an easy talk to have of course, and you truly do have our sympathies, but giving your loved one a say in their future while they’re still able to express their preferences is much more compassionate than otherwise, although sometimes this isn’t possible. You should discuss all the various options like having in-home help or possibly moving to a specialized facility.

Deciding on potential recourse like powers of attorney and making financial plans is also much easier this way. It’s understandable if that’s not feasible, but should always be an approach you consider.

Reassure Them Of Your Help

Anyone who experiences memory loss will easily feel confused, scared, and worried about losing their independence. Your presence and continued emotional support are the most important possible thing you can provide, even when it’s difficult. You need to reassure them often that you’re not going anywhere and that you will always be there to help them through the confusion they feel.

Often in these cases, finding the right long-term professional support is needed, and you might look into a dementia care community where they can get expert help every day and live a much healthier life because of it.

With this advice, we hope you can discuss even a sensitive topic such as this one.