We already know how important it is to see a physician and get an early diagnosis – and start taking appropriate meds to slow down the onset of Alzheimer’s. But there’s another side to the problem we rarely investigate and one I wish I had thought of or known about 8 years ago when my mom first started down this road.
It’s simply confidence.
The first reaction is one of denial – “I don’t forget things!” but inside you know you do. After a “certain age” we all worry about forgetting stuff and wandering down the road to this diagnosis. Confidence and fear go hand in hand.
The second reaction is one of losing confidence to go out – to engage with others because, well, because you’re going to make a fool of yourself forgetting something and “people will know”. My mom was an amazing faker and I’ve seen her have a long conversation with an old friend and them immediately turn to me asking, “Who was that?” Social skills kept her moving long after somebody with less skills would have been needing superised care. Even the social workers working with her were fooled many times until they got to the actual testing/memory scores and realized the issues (one of the rookies never did figure it out and we had more problems with that – but that’s another story).
The point today is that support groups and basic programes such as this one in the UK are really important for this initial stage of building confidence and helping individuals to remain engaged with their friends and family.
It’s far too late for my mom but if you have a loved one that’s just been diagnosed with Alzheimers Disease – do contact your local Alzheimer’s society and have them find a local program like this for you and your loved one.