Dementia Denial in Families 🧠 Why We Avoid It — and How to Face It With Love - video Dailymotion

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Dementia Denial in Families 🧠 Why We Avoid It — and How to Face It With Love

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00:00They keep forgetting your name, but swear everything's fine.

00:03You want to help, but you're scared to say the word dementia.

00:07Sound familiar?

00:08For countless families, these moments are heartbreakingly common.

00:12A parent laughs off another forgotten appointment,

00:15while an adult child masks their growing worry behind a strained smile.

00:20In these silences, a quiet wall of denial begins to rise,

00:24one that can feel impossible to tear down.

00:26But understanding why this happens, and how to gently face it together,

00:31can make all the difference.

00:33Denial, in the context of dementia, is rarely just stubbornness.

00:37For aging parents, it often sounds like,

00:39I'm just tired, or I've always been forgetful, or

00:43Everyone misplaces their keys sometimes.

00:47Beneath these words is a powerful need for self-protection,

00:51a way to shield themselves from the terror of losing control, independence, and identity.

00:56After all, admitting memory loss isn't just about forgetting.

01:01It's about confronting the possibility of a future that feels unrecognizable.

01:05For family members, denial takes a different shape.

01:08Maybe you've caught yourself thinking,

01:10Let's not jump to conclusions, or

01:12Maybe it's just stress, or

01:14They're fine. I don't want to upset them.

01:18This is a form of emotional avoidance,

01:21often fueled by guilt, grief,

01:22or the simple fear of not knowing what to do next.

01:26Sometimes, denying the problem feels safer than facing the unknown.

01:30Both sides are trying to protect themselves,

01:33one from a loss of self,

01:34the other from a loss of someone they love.

01:36But why does denial grip families so tightly?

01:40Psychologically, it's rooted in ego defense.

01:43For the person experiencing symptoms,

01:45admitting to cognitive decline

01:47feels like handing over the keys to their own life.

01:49It threatens their sense of worth and autonomy.

01:53Caregivers and loved ones, meanwhile,

01:55are often overwhelmed by the emotional weight of what dementia means.

02:00A slow, painful goodbye that can start long before anyone is ready.

02:04Family dynamics can add another layer of complexity.

02:07Siblings may disagree about what's really happening.

02:10Spouses may protect each other from difficult truths.

02:13Children may panic, unsure of when or how to speak up.

02:18In this environment, silence becomes the path of least resistance,

02:22even as everyone silently notices more and more.

02:25So, how do you begin to break this cycle of denial?

02:29Gently and with love.

02:31The first step is to start with shared concerns, not accusations.

02:36Instead of confronting your loved one or your sibling is with blunt warnings,

02:39try opening the door to conversation with empathy.

02:43I've noticed a few things, too.

02:45Maybe we can check it together?

02:48On die.

02:49It's in.

02:50This approach removes blame and signals that you're in this together.

02:54Next, try not to force labels.

02:56Focus on how things are changing, rather than what to call it.

03:00Instead of saying,

03:01I think you have dementia,

03:03you might ask,

03:04Have you felt more confused lately?

03:07I just want to help you stay safe.

03:08This shifts the conversation from a frightening diagnosis

03:12to practical, compassionate support.

03:15Sometimes, a third voice can help ease the tension.

03:18Inviting a trusted doctor or counselor into the conversation

03:21can provide an objective perspective.

03:24Health professionals can often say what family members can't,

03:27and their expertise can be reassuring for everyone involved.

03:31Finally, keep emotions on the table.

03:33It's okay to be honest about how hard this is.

03:36You might say,

03:37This is hard for me, too,

03:39but I love you too much to ignore what's happening.

03:42Vulnerability can be a bridge,

03:44reminding everyone that love, not fear,

03:46is guiding these conversations.

03:48Facing dementia is never easy.

03:51But denial doesn't have to be the only way forward.

03:54By understanding its roots,

03:55and taking small, gentle steps,

03:57families can begin to support one another

03:59with honesty, care, and hope,

04:03tearing down that quiet wall,

04:04one loving moment at a time.

Dementia Denial in Families 🧠 Why We Avoid It — and How to Face It With Love

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