A person with dementia symptoms might:
- Repeat themselves
- Forget your name
- Forget recent events
- Say something unexpected
- Ask the same question again and again
- Act differently, or “oddly”
- Get lost in a familiar area
There are over 100 different diseases that can affect the connections inside our brains, causing dementia symptoms to appear.
Not Done on Purpose
It's not the person's fault when these disconnects occur inside the brain. It's not something they can control — it's simply the disease. These disconnects can cause changes in the way a person thinks, speaks, feels, or acts.
If you're feeling frustrated, please remember: it's not because they are...
- “not trying hard enough” (to do the right things)
- “being lazy”
- "trying to be difficult or get under your skin”
- someone who “didn't take care of themselves or their health”
- “just getting old”
- “trying to hurt” you or others
It's Up to Us to Change Our Approach
Not everyone living with dementia can express themselves the way they'd like to. If they could, they might say, “It's still me in here.”
You can empower yourself and learn how to:
- Communicate differently
- Respond and relate better
- Refocus the person
- Bring out their strengths
- Spend quality time together
- Adapt activities so they can still do fun things
- Focus on what really matters
There are valuable education sessions and supports available. View upcoming sessions here or talk to someone on our team.
You can do this.
