A Loved One Was Diagnosed With Dementia. Now What?

James M. Noble, MD, MS, Professor of Neurology at Columbia University and the author of Navigating Life With Dementia, described the difficulties that families face when their loved one is diagnosed with a cognitive disorder and shares strategies on how to better adjust. Families try to correct, rationalize, or reason with a family member who has dementia with the best intentions of attempting to recover their cognitive abilities, but it usually does not produce the desired effect. Dr. Noble says that “Not only does it not work, but it often backfires,” Dr. Noble said: Arguing or getting frustrated with a dementia patient can make them anxious or agitated, which can hasten decline and make caregiving more difficult.[read more]

Source:The New York Times

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