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Social and Family Relationships
Helping Others
Understand what is Happening to You
The onset of memory loss and/or Alzheimer's disease
can bring up a number of different issues in social and family
relationships. Relationship strengths and vulnerabilities may be
accentuated. The following are some commonly expressed concerns
among people who experience memory loss:
- Friends and family may not see you day to day.
Because of this, they may not understand or believe the changes that
you are experiencing. They may minimize your memory loss or may
look for evidence of memory loss in everything that you do, being
overprotective of you.
- People do not know what to do or say and may withdraw
or attempt to help in ways that may not be constructive. On the
other hand, some friendships may deepen or new ones come into you rlife
as a result of your circumstances.
- Historic relationship dynamics may surface more
intensely, leading to enhanced closeness or enhanced conflict.
Some Suggestions to Consider:
- Be up front with friends and family. Tell them
about your memory loss. If you seem comfortable talking about it,
they may feel more comfortable with you.
- Friends and famly members ay benefit from receiving
information about memory loss and/or Alzheimer's disease so that they
may have a clearer understanding about some of the changes you are
facing.
- Encourage friends or family who seem to have a hard
time dealing with the changes you are experiencing to attend support
groups.
- When friends or family offer to help, suggest specific
ways in which they may be of assistance. Let them know what you
do, and don't, need help with.
- Be willing to teach others about the best ways to
communicate and interact with you.
- Stay as involved as you can in the things that
interest you. Don't isolate yourself from others. On the
other hand, make sure you don't overdo activities and get over
tired. Find a good balance between activity and rest.
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