When Alex was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in May 2016 we were given a wadge of documents which told us all about the disease and how to live with it by taking a positive attitude. She refused to read any of it as she said it would depress her. If asked today she would say both that she was bound to get the disease because it 'is in the family' and also that it is untrue as she has never spoken to a doctor about her memory and other problems and has never been diagnosed. She has never had a positive attitude to life in general so to expect her to develop one now that she has dementia seems unrealistic. I have tried to tell her (when asked) that some of the difficulties that she acknowledges are because she has a disease but all that achieves is to prompt her to ask me how long she has left to live because of her heart condition!
Not talking about the diagnosis seems by far the best way to deal with it as no good comes from trying to talk rationally when the ability to be rational is gone. This is not to shy away from or deny the fact that Alex's dementia can only worsen over time. I understand that and sometimes it seems that she does too. But by trying to create the most peaceful and relaxed atmosphere possible - including not talking about the disease - I at least have the opportunity to try to match up to the 'stay positive' approach. It is not an easy thing to do.
Not talking about the diagnosis seems by far the best way to deal with it as no good comes from trying to talk rationally when the ability to be rational is gone. This is not to shy away from or deny the fact that Alex's dementia can only worsen over time. I understand that and sometimes it seems that she does too. But by trying to create the most peaceful and relaxed atmosphere possible - including not talking about the disease - I at least have the opportunity to try to match up to the 'stay positive' approach. It is not an easy thing to do.