I went to a Home Instead training class a few weeks ago and I learned a lot from them. Some people mentioned that they discuss dementia with their care receiver and others didn’t because they denied it.
Yesterday when I took my mom to the doctors the receptionist prints out a list of medications that you are on and you take that in when you see the doctor and verify that you are still taking them.
Mom is on Donezepil (Aricept) and it stated that it was for dementia. She kept staring at that paper for a very long time. I often quiz her about things and tell her it is so that we can exercise her brain so that she can remember things better. It’s also a good gage for me to see where her mind is on the drive into town.
Do any of you discuss the fact that they have Alzheimers or dementia with them? I’ve sort of skirted the topic with mom.
No. We do not use the "D" word with our mother. It would upset her and she would deny it. What is the point?
So the answer is "it depends" ...
Any caregiver you bring into the home should be told what the family's decision is about this issue, and follow the family's lead.
So even though everyone relevant knows, no one is talking about it. There is nothing to be gained right now by doing it.