There’s nothing quite as heartbreaking as having your loved one in their golden years forget who you are, but it can happen if they have dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease. How do you deal with this? What can you do to prevent it? And how can you cope if it happens anyway? Here are some things to keep in mind when dealing with dementia and forgetfulness.
Acknowledge The Loss
By denying that a loved one’s memory is slipping, you are inadvertently denying them a chance to express their feelings about it. Allow your loved ones to acknowledge that they’re having trouble remembering certain things. If you don’t bring it up, they might think you’ve forgotten too!
Remind Them
If you have a loved one struggling with dementia and experiencing forgetfulness, it can be difficult to know how to react. While it may seem like common sense, reminding your loved ones of their names is often an effective way to help them come back from whatever episode they’re in. Every time someone with dementia forgets your name or another aspect of a situation, remind them gently but firmly that they remember who you are and what they were doing before.
Respond Gently
If your loved one with dementia becomes confused and forgets your name, you may be tempted to approach him or her in a way that snaps them out of it. This can backfire. First, it’s important to remember that cognitive confusion is part of living with dementia. Although it’s sometimes hard to watch, it’s important not to take such behavior personally. Second, when your loved one with dementia forgets something like their name or where they are, they aren’t doing so on purpose—they don’t know any better.
Use Validation Therapy
Just because someone with dementia has trouble remembering your name doesn’t mean they have trouble recognizing you. As such, it’s a good idea to use validation therapy when dealing with dementia. This involves both understanding and acknowledging a loved one’s feelings and needs and communicating compassionately and empathetically. If an elderly loved one forgets your name but is upset by it, try saying something like, “Oh, I get it! I understand why that would be upsetting. I think we can work on making sure you don’t forget again, though!”
Use Photos And Videos
If your loved one with dementia forgets your name, photos can help combat those feelings of rejection and loneliness. Sharing pictures from throughout your lives together can help jog her memory of who you are and draw positive attention to you. You might also consider showing her photos or video recordings of a familiar person, like a grandchild or friend, in an effort to remind her who you are. It may also be helpful to let others know she may forget their names, so they aren’t hurt if it happens.
Seek Medical Help
Alzheimer’s Disease is an irreversible and progressive brain disease, which will progressively worsen with time. This means that your loved one’s ability to remember names will only get worse, not better. As your loved one gets more advanced in their diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, you should seek medical help from a professional doctor who specializes in dementia and forgetfulness. By seeking out professional help for your loved one early on, you are helping yourself avoid any unnecessary mistakes or situations down the road.
