I’ve never been the primary caregiver for someone living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. But I have been, and I am friends with caregivers as well as people living with dementia.
Through these friendships, as well as listening to you, my reader, I have learned a lot about what care partners (the caregiver and the person with dementia) want from their friends. And it’s not always the same.
Some people let particular words annoy them, while others don’t care. For instance, I know one person that gets upset at the word “journey” but I also know someone who uses the word all the time. Another dislikes being called “the patient,” while others routinely refer to themselves as the patient.
Some caregivers are fed up with others giving them advice, while others haven’t reached this point. I believe most friends mean well, but if you haven’t wore the shoes, then it’s hard to know where to step, or when to step lightly.
No matter what, there are some basic Do’s and Don’ts that I have learned, and I shared in my article on Sixty and Me:
Do’s And Don’ts Of Being A Caregiver’s Friend
Let us know what things annoy you, or how you would prefer to be treated by commenting below:
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