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He did for yrs love pics, but now he gets upset he smiles when I show him. He married mom when she was 22 and he was 27. He doesn't speak, I use chalk.
I tell him what is happening and how we all love him and he is safe. But can I tell him what's happening to his brain?

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He won't get it. You will be wasting your time. Eventually, he won't know who you are.
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Don't tell him, he will not understand, not will be remember. Fruitless.
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It's not the same for all people with dementia. Some deny it and get angry if told their memory is getting bad. Some get confused by the information. My mom knew and admitted that her brain didn't work, but still got upset if she thought something was true and people told her it wasn't. I think you just have to approach it gently if you think he needs to know. Sometimes it's a matter of safety in the moment and then the truth of the situation has to be told, but otherwise respecting his view of life is what's most important. And yes, the safety thing is a huge reassurance that will help him. Very very good of you to read everything you can on the subject.
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What point would there be in telling him now when you say that he can't speak anyway? Some people while early on in their diagnosis are well aware of the changes going on in their brain, but you would never know if he is or not because of his inability to speak, so I would let well enough alone and just keep reassuring him that he is safe and loved.
My husband was diagnosed in 2018 with vascular dementia, and while he still understood quite a bit then(though his speech was limited due to a massive stroke)I never shared that with him, as I knew the life expectancy was only 5 years,(he died in 2020)and I didn't want him knowing that. I just wanted him to live out his life knowing that I was going to take care of him and that he was safe and well loved.
Wishing you and your dad the very best.
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