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How does sharing diagnosis of Alzheimer's affect patient?
Caregivers: Dementia | Last Active: Oct 9 10:08pm | Replies (31)Comment receiving replies
I think it depends on the individual with the cognitive issues. My wife started displaying significant memory issues two years ago. Working with our doctor, she underwent a battery of physical and psychological testing that concluded that she had early stage Alzheimer's. It was the neuropsychologist and neurologist that shared this diagnosis with both of us. She accepted that diagnosis, and we have been working together as a team to prepare to handle her memory issues and revise all our legal documents accordingly. One thing that we are careful about is who outside the family we share that information with. She has a very close circle of female friends that she has shared this with and now they are helping her and me to cope with the symptoms. I believe that my wife was relieved to know the explanation for the problems she was having.
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I agree with that sharing the Alzheimers diagnosis depends on the individual and the circumstances. My husband was diagnosed with moderate cognitive impairment a year ago, and Alzheimers after a spinal tap this fall. He is now beginning treatment with the new therapy called Leqemba. He is fully aware of his disease, after having met with a neuropsychologist and now being treated by a neurologist. We have shared his diagnosis and ongoing developments with our adult children, and he agreed that it was OK for me to share the diagnosis with close, nearby friends because I need their support to cope with some of his symptoms. However, he hasn't personally shared his diagnosis with his other family members or his friends. I don't think it's my place to do that, but I think he should soon because his symptoms are becoming much more obvious. Also, others sometimes question me about what's going on with him. I'm never quite sure what to say, except something like he has some health issues that are stressing him out. I'd appreciate any comments about how to handle this situation.