{"id":525,"date":"2024-09-22T12:01:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-22T12:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hilizzy.com\/resources\/?post_type=courses&#038;p=525"},"modified":"2025-02-12T17:07:45","modified_gmt":"2025-02-12T17:07:45","slug":"my-family-is-in-denial-of-my-loved-ones-need-for-memory-care-what-do-i-do-2","status":"publish","type":"courses","link":"https:\/\/lizzycare.com\/resources\/course\/my-family-is-in-denial-of-my-loved-ones-need-for-memory-care-what-do-i-do-2\/","title":{"rendered":"My family is in denial of my loved one\u2019s need for memory care\u2014what do I do?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"nolwrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns d-none d-md-inline-flex is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em><br><em><br>Lizzy Care is reimagining dementia care and providing the resources for today\u2019s needs and tomorrow\u2019s challenges.<\/em><\/em><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-right is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-765c4724 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button text-decoration-none is-style-outline popmake-196 is-style-outline--1\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" style=\"background-color:#3a82d4\"><strong>Get Started<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>When you&#8217;re concerned about a loved one&#8217;s cognitive decline, it can be frustrating\u2014and even heartbreaking\u2014if other family members don\u2019t yet believe there\u2019s a problem. Family dynamics can complicate an already emotional situation, especially if some members are in denial about your loved one\u2019s need for memory care. But there are ways to manage these challenges with empathy and communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. <strong>Treat Denial with Compassion and Empathy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Denial often stems from fear, sadness, or the unwillingness to face a reality that feels overwhelming. Much like how you would approach a loved one in denial about their own cognitive decline, it&#8217;s important to treat your family members with patience and understanding. They may not be ready to accept the diagnosis, but it\u2019s crucial to remind them that you all have the same goal\u2014ensuring the best possible care for your loved one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Try approaching the conversation gently: \u201cI know this is hard for all of us, but we\u2019re in this together. Let\u2019s figure out how we can make things easier for [your loved one].\u201d Encourage your family members to speak with an objective professional like a dementia care coach or therapist, who can help them process their emotions and provide an impartial perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>For more tips, check out our article on <a href=\"https:\/\/hilizzy.com\/resources\/course\/how-to-help-someone-in-denial-about-dementia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">What Do I Do if My Loved One is in Denial of Their Cognitive Decline?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. <strong>Understand the Root of Their Denial<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Denial can manifest for various reasons, and understanding why family members may resist acknowledging the dementia diagnosis is key to addressing their concerns. Common reasons include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Fear:<\/strong> They may be scared of what the future holds, unsure how the disease will progress, or afraid of losing the person they once knew. If fear is driving their denial, offer education on dementia, its stages, and how early intervention can improve quality of life.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Overwhelm:<\/strong> The responsibilities of caregiving can seem daunting, especially for family members already managing busy lives. If they\u2019re feeling overwhelmed, invite them to be a part of the solution with set tasks or responsibilities. Ask them to research memory care services, assist with scheduling appointments, or help in other manageable ways. When people are actively involved in the process, they may begin to see the reality of the situation more clearly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. <strong>Communicate Openly and Frequently<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Maintaining an open line of communication is essential when addressing family denial. Regular, transparent conversations about your loved one\u2019s condition and the changes you\u2019re observing can help ease some resistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Use shared tools like the Lizzy Care app to facilitate updates. The <strong>Care Feed<\/strong> is a great way to keep everyone informed in real-time about doctor visits, medication changes, and safety concerns. It can also help the family track behavioral patterns that signal cognitive decline. For example, sharing your observations of forgotten conversations or increased confusion might help them see the changes for themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Frequent communication also helps distribute caregiving responsibilities more equitably, ensuring that no single family member feels overburdened. Having regular discussions and updates also allows you to adjust the care plan as circumstances evolve, creating a unified approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. <strong>Provide Gentle Evidence<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes, family members in denial need to see the changes themselves. Without overwhelming them, consider sharing subtle observations about your loved one\u2019s condition during family gatherings. Point out things like missed appointments, forgetfulness, or trouble navigating once-familiar spaces. Use specific examples that they can\u2019t ignore, such as &#8220;I noticed Mom forgot her way back home yesterday from the grocery store, which she\u2019s never done before.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The goal isn\u2019t to force the issue but to gently guide them to see the reality of the situation. This can be done compassionately, without judgment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. <strong>Be Patient and Set Boundaries if Necessary<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s important to be patient when dealing with denial\u2014it can take time for family members to come to terms with the reality of dementia. However, if their denial begins to impede your ability to provide adequate care, you may need to set boundaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While your goal is to get everyone on the same page, there may be situations where you have to move forward without everyone\u2019s agreement. As difficult as that may be, the priority should always be the well-being of your loved one. Explain the boundaries clearly: \u201cI understand that this is hard for you to accept, but we can\u2019t delay care any longer. I\u2019ll need to move forward with setting up the appropriate care for Mom\/Dad.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By handling their denial with empathy, understanding, and clear communication, you can help bring the family together to provide the best possible care for your loved one. And remember, the Lizzy Care team is here to support you every step of the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ready to Get Support?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"popmake-196\">If you\u2019re struggling with family members in denial or need guidance on dementia care, schedule a <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">free consultation with Lizzy Care<\/span><\/strong> to see how we can help you navigate these challenging dynamics.<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When you&#8217;re concerned about a loved one&#8217;s cognitive decline, it can be frustrating\u2014and even heartbreaking\u2014if other family members don\u2019t yet believe there\u2019s a problem. Family dynamics can complicate an already emotional situation, especially if some members are in denial about your loved one\u2019s need for memory care. But there are ways to manage these challenges [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/lizzycare.com\/resources\/course\/my-family-is-in-denial-of-my-loved-ones-need-for-memory-care-what-do-i-do-2\/\">Read More&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> from My family is in denial of my loved one\u2019s need for memory care\u2014what do I do?<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":851,"parent":0,"menu_order":150,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"content-type":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,7,8,9,10,194],"tags":[60,92,58,79,146,80,103],"topics":[154,191,153,195,193,192],"class_list":["post-525","courses","type-courses","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alzheimers","category-communication","category-dementia","category-denial","category-early-intervention","category-family","tag-alzheimers","tag-communication","tag-dementia","tag-denial","tag-denial-and-dementia","tag-family","tag-support","topics-alzheimers","topics-communication","topics-dementia","topics-denial","topics-family","topics-support"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lizzycare.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/courses\/525","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lizzycare.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/courses"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lizzycare.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/courses"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lizzycare.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lizzycare.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=525"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/lizzycare.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/courses\/525\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":849,"href":"https:\/\/lizzycare.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/courses\/525\/revisions\/849"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lizzycare.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/851"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lizzycare.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=525"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lizzycare.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=525"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lizzycare.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=525"},{"taxonomy":"topics","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lizzycare.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topics?post=525"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}