Alzheimer’s disease can change many parts of a relationship, but not the need for love and affection. You might discover your role in your relationship has changed. You may also notice that your relationships with loved ones have changed. As a result, you’ll need to find several ways to express your feelings. Learn more about the emotional effect of Alzheimer’s disease on family and friends.
Impact of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias have a profound impact on those who are diagnosed and the people closest to them. As the health condition progresses, you or other family members may find the changing roles tough to accept. When this occurs, it can become confusing. Sometimes, it takes a while to figure out who will complete what. Overall, it’s crucial to remember that the emotional effect of Alzheimer’s disease varies per person depending on the circumstance.
For example, some people will not help and distance themselves from family. This is often because they are unable to cope with the changes. In contrast, some people who care for a family relative with dementia find a new kind of closeness as they collaborate to handle stressful situations. Consequently, some individuals even display strengths that they never knew they had.
Effect on Family and Friends
Some of the common feelings families and friends experience are grief, guilt, loss, and anger. In addition, it’s prevalent to feel guilty – guilty for how the person with dementia was previously treated, embarrassed by their strange behavior, or not desiring to care for a person with dementia. Moreover, grief is a reaction to loss. If someone close to you has dementia, you are faced with losing the person you used to know and a relationship loss.
Furthermore, it’s natural to be angry and frustrated; angry at being a caregiver, angry with others who don’t help out, and angry at the person with the disease for her or his difficult behaviors. Unfortunately, feelings of exhaustion, distress, and annoyance are also quite normal. If you feel like this, discussing your feelings with a medical professional is essential.
Don’t Neglect Children and Teenagers
With so much concentration on the person with dementia, sometimes younger family members don’t receive the needed attention. Or the illness is not clearly explained to them. The emotional effect of Alzheimer’s disease on children varies widely when a parent or grandparent has it. For instance, children might be fearful that they will get the disease. Also, teenagers might become resentful if they have to take on more responsibilities or feel embarrassed that their parent or grandparent is very “different.”
Lastly, find out their emotional needs and discover ways to support them, like meeting with a counselor who specializes in children with a family relative diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. There is a lot to consider when caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or similar dementia.
Enroll Today with Pharmasite Research
If you or someone you know has Alzheimer’s disease, it can be a huge hindrance to daily life, but there is always hope and help available. Seek professional help from a therapist who may recommend effective treatment options for you or a loved one. Pharmasite Research in Pikesville, MD, is enrolling individuals with PTSD for a clinical study. Learn more to see if you qualify! Contact us at 410-602-1440 and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!