5 Ways to Talk to a Loved One About Dementia

You’ve noticed your mom keeps misplacing daily items, missing appointments and falling behind on things that used to be routine, and honestly, you’re worried. But how do you bring it up without upsetting her or damaging your relationship?

Talking about dementia can be emotional and sometimes uncomfortable. Still, starting the conversation early is one of the most important gifts you can give a loved one.

“People are often afraid of hurting family relationships or upsetting someone they care about,” says Angela Christie, dementia specialist at Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging. “But, addressing concerns early helps everyone. When you know what you’re dealing with, you can plan together and the person with dementia can have a voice in what happens next.” >> Here are five ways you can approach the conversation.