Taboo and Openness

Healthy spouses or adult children and grandchildren, can easily be embarrassed by the changes caused by a relative with dementia. It may make them reluctant to ask for help from people around them or reluctant to be examined by a doctor. Dementia - called senility in the past- has been and partially remains a taboo subject. Friends, even siblings and children, may find it so hard and painful to spend time with the person who is changing due to a dementia disease and they may distance themselves from them.

Peoples attitudes towards dementia, knowing what the illness involves and that the person suffering from dementia does not say and do odd things on purpose, are crucial for maintaining good relationships. The family members - including spouses - who manage to be open about the disease and the changes it causes are best able to get through the course and maintain their life together with the people around them. That benefits everyone, especially the person suffering from dementia.