Its hard to see someone you care about in pain.
Maybe theyre not losing their physical mobility, but memories or skills are slipping away from them instead.
This puts you in a difficult position.
memory loss) and psychological changes (e.g.
Frustration with their lack of being able to find the right words.
Paranoia (thinking people are talking about them or trying to hurt them).
Difficulty play games they could before.
Driving and having difficulty remembering where they were going or how to get home.
These might include holiday activities, volunteer or work-related tasks, or home maintenance tasks.
Memory difficulties
These can include not recalling meetings, appointments, agreements, conversations, or decisions.
Examples include visits, calls, connections, and daily routines of care or responsibilities.
But, they may also deny that anything is wrong.
If this happens, Tapp-McDouglass says that its best not to argue with them.
Remember to meet them where they are, dont argue and dont make them feel bad, Cini adds.
This is way harder on them than it is on you.
Reassurance that youll be there with them to help is key, she says.
This is a frightening, depressing, and potentially embarrassing time.
But that may also be easier said than done.
Maybe we should go to the doctor and have this looked at.
Starting an argument about seeing things differently will definitely make future interactions and support more problematic.
I just noticed there were a lot of expired and moldy items in the fridge.
That just doesnt seem to be what I have seen her do in the past.
Then listen to what the other person offers back.
Heresmore informationabout what that could look like.
Other times, it can be hard to tell when to make that move.
According to Van Gorp, this is a case of sooner being better.
The best time [to bring in experts] is early after noticing.
The medications and interventions are most effective early, he tells Lifehacker.
Once the damage is done its often too late.
He recommends contacting either a general practitioner or a neurologist.
