How Seniors Hide their Symptoms of Dementia

Developing dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, is a frightening prospect. Nobody wants to believe that their funny little “senior moments” could be anything but – however, millions of seniors develop some type of dementia and in the process of denying it to themselves, they might exhibit the following actions.

•  “I’m fine,” “I’m old and forgetful, it’s what happens!” “I’m just tired.” All of these are ways to deny what might really be going on. By making these statements, they are not only keeping you at bay regarding a possible problem, they are also trying to convince themselves that there isn’t one.

•  Anosognosia is a condition that goes beyond denial – it’s about being completely unaware. Due to the nature of Alzheimer’s disease, more than 80% of patients suffer from this. It’s unclear exactly what causes it, but it makes coming to terms with the illness even more difficult, for the patient and caregiver.

•  Keeping their “mistakes” (memory lapses) hidden from others. Many seniors are reluctant to give up their freedom and be placed in a more intensive-care facility. So, they “hide” their lapses in memory or some other secret (forgetting to turn off a burner, for example), to avoid this.

•  For better or for worse – many spouses will take on the role to “cover up” for their spouses mistakes, they’ll drive for them, they’ll step in to complete tasks, whatever the case may be – to avoid others speculating on whether the impaired spouse needs higher care-intensive conditions.

•  Staying away from games they once loved; or even refusing to do a simple chore they’ve done a hundred times. Forgetting certain processes and how to follow through on activities is difficult, and to avoid the frustration altogether, some seniors won’t engage.

 If you are interested in learning about in-home care services in Birmingham, or other options surrounding assisted living in Birmingham, Alabama, please contact the Always Best Care Birmingham location at 205-8974-9730 or email them at info.bham@abc-seniors.com. They will assist you in obtaining a free consultation, where you and a Care Provider will draft an extensive and personalized Care Plan.