Marybeth’s mother, Nora, had been diagnosed with dementia.
She had been in the doctor’s office when the diagnosis was delivered. At first, Nora accepted her diagnosis and she and Marybeth worked together to make some changes that would make living with dementia easier as the disease progressed. But lately, Nora had begun insisting there was nothing wrong with her and resisting Marybeth’s attempts to manage her memory loss. When Nora mentioned it to Marybeth’s doctor, he said she had anosognosia.
About Anosognosia
-Anosognosia is the fancy term that doctors use for when a person is in denial about having a condition. In Greek, the term means “lack of awareness or insight.” But, it isn’t simply not wanting to admit they have something. Anosognosia is the result of changes in the brain that makes a person unaware they have a medical problem. The person literally cannot comprehend that they have a condition.
-Anosognosia is common in people who have mental health conditions, like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. However, it can also occur in people with dementia. How a person is affected can vary. Some people may be aware of one moment that they have dementia and the next they have no idea. Or, they may be only partially aware of their condition.
-Anosognosia can be difficult to deal with because it can make your aging relative unwilling to accept help. They may also get angry when you try to talk to them about what is going on.
Tips for Dealing with Anosognosia
If your aging relative denies they have dementia, the following tips may help:
-Don’t Argue: Trying to convince someone with dementia that they have the disease will only end in an argument. Instead of arguing, deal with the disease quietly by making small changes to keep them safe and improve their quality of life.
-Tell the Doctor: Make sure the older adult’s doctor and health care team knows that they are unaware they have dementia. Work with them to proactively make changes to treatment and care since the senior won’t admit when they need help.
-Stay Positive: Forcing changes or assistance on someone who doesn’t think they need help won’t be very helpful. Instead, frame your assistance in a positive way. For example, when the senior tries to wander out of the house, instead of telling them they can’t, try offering to go for a walk with them.
Elderly care providers are experienced in caring for people with dementia, so they know how to deal with a person who does not know they have the disease. Elderly care providers are able to help seniors in so many ways that it is possible for them to appear to be there to help with other things. An elderly care provider can assist with housework and preparing meals while also being there to keep your loved one safe.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Homecare in Pleasant Hill, CA, contact the friendly staff at Home Care Professionals today.
Call (866)-940-4855
Sources
Healthline.com
Webmd.com
Dailycaring.com
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