There are a lot of negative and unfair beliefs about Alzheimer’s disease and the people who are living with the disease. Of course, the disease can be, and is often, devastating and quite challenging to say the least.
Many families have, however, been able to overcome their own misconceptions and take a more positive approach to living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia.
Unfortunately, many of these misconceptions are so ingrained in society’s beliefs that the majority of families are unable to view the disease as anything other than tragic. This creates a self-fulfilling prophecy, and their negative beliefs become reality.
Again, I’m not saying any of this is easy, but one of our strongest assets as humans is to stay positive and persevere. And that starts with hope – hope that there can be good in Alzheimer’s disease and that a family with the disease can live well.
This hope starts by how we see the disease and talk about it. With more communication focused on remaining abilities and less on loss, we can improve the well-being of those with dementia as well as their caregivers.
Sharing this hope will help millions of families fight back against the disease.
To continue this conversation, please read my article, Why We Must Reframe How We See Alzheimer’s, which was published on Next Avenue, and then picked up by Forbes.
P.S. I’m also sharing a pdf that was created by the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada that can help us all better understand how our use of words has an impact:
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Questions or thoughts? Let me know by commenting below:
I think we also need to start complaining to companies that make fun of old people and memory loss in advertising. Their advertising creative team may think they’re funny, but those ads are definitely not.
I’m not exactly sure which particular ads you are talking about, but unfortunately, media and advertising are probably the most influential elements of society. If they are misrepresenting Alzheimer’s then we should boycott their products, in my opinion.
Thank you for this article. In the long run, yes, Alzheimer’s disease is a death sentence, but there’s life to live and often joys ahead, regardless. We learn to recognize, and experience joy in single moments. Our loved ones live in the present, with little short-term memory. This forces familial caregivers to also live in the moment, and to foster joyful occasions within tiny time segments. So what, if the family member doesn’t remember tomorrow what occurred today. It is more tragic to the caregiver, than to the one for whom you provide care. Embracing small segments of joy helps get us through and continues to provide meaning to life for our loved one.
You’re welcome Ray. You have a very good point, but it is one that is so hard to accept and actually embrace. Together, however, we can help families discover, and live better, with this new approach to life.
Agreed. Acceptance is incredibly difficult, and is it even possible to embrace the disease? But, the alternative makes it all but unbearable, which is why I appreciate your approach to living a better life, even with dementia. May your tribe increase! 😉