If a loved one with dementia makes comments such as this, you may assume that he or she is merely in denial and unwilling to acknowledge such a difficult diagnosis. But there may be another reason: anosognosia, or a person’s true unawareness that he or she has dementia.
Determining the right way to react to a senior who is unfamiliar with the personal difficulties being experienced with cognitive functioning can be a challenge. Our dementia care team has compiled the following guidelines to help family caregivers better care for an older adult with anosognosia:
- Understand that the older adult with dementia, while unaware of this one particular area, is not necessarily experiencing complete unawareness of his/her state of being. The older adult might not be aware of the memory impairment due to dementia, but may still maintain complete understanding of his/her physical restrictions related to osteoarthritis, for example.
- Plan for variations in the senior’s level of anosognosia. While the person may seem to be fully unaware of a particular challenge at the moment, the extent of awareness can shift over time.
- Offer complete support to the individual by permitting discussions about his/her emotions, feelings, and thoughts without judgment. It is essential for the older adult to be comfortable in articulating any concerns openly and honestly without feeling it necessary to cover them up.
Anosognosia, and other effects of dementia, like sundowning, wandering, concerning behaviors, and aggression, can be incredibly difficult, both for the older adult living with these problems and for his or her loved ones. Family caregivers need a strong network of support and to learn as much as possible about the disease, along with strategies for most effectively managing it. It is also very important to be sure to designate sufficient time for self-care.
Contact our experts at Compassionate Care Home Health Services for additional tips for Alzheimer’s care, including anosognosia, ensuring the older person you love enjoys the best possible quality of life at all times. We work with families to supply compassionate, highly skilled respite care services, allowing family caregivers the opportunity to step away for a period of time to relax.
Whether the senior could benefit from several hours of care each week or full-time, around-the-clock specialized dementia care in Saginaw or the surrounding areas, we’re always here to help. Contact us online or give us a call us at 877.308.1212 to learn more, to discover if our services are available in your area, and to request a complimentary in-home evaluation.