When Family Doesn't Believe the Dementia Diagnosis

When your family doesn't believe the dementia diagnosis, it can feel like you are grieving two losses at once. Family denial is one of the most painful and isolating experiences a dementia caregiver can go through. In this episode, I'm going to explain why it happens and what you can actually do about it.

If you'd like to see this episode on video, you can hop on over to my YouTube channel here.

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Chapters:

0:00 When family doesn't believe the diagnosis

2:13 Why this feels so isolating

4:04 Reason 1: Denial is protective

5:00 Reason 2: Visiting isn't caregiving

6:27 Reason 3: Anosognosia

7:30 You didn't cause this

8:00 Why convincing them backfires

10:00 What actually helps

12:26 What you're allowed to feel

 

#dementia #dementiacare #alzheimers #dementiacaregiver

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Hi, I'm Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board-certified geropsychologist specializing in dementia care. Whether your loved one has Alzheimer's, frontotemporal, Lewy body, vascular, or mixed dementia, we believe that to create a dementia-friendly world, we must first create a caregiver-friendly world.

This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for medical guidance.