The Stigma Of Dementia Persists

Photo credit Daisy O'Brian People stare. Most are not unkind, they are just curious. But when someone "different" from the norm becomes part of their environment, they often gawk without thinking about or understanding how this affects others. Anyone who has cared for a disabled child or has a visible disability of their own knows this. However, people who care for an elder with dementia may have more difficulty coping with the stares of the public because the person they are caring for was once their dignified father or charismatic mother. The pain of seeing others stare, not knowing how this person was robbed of his or her cognitive abilities, has the potential to bring out the defensive protector that lies within each of us. Read the full article on Agingcare about how the stigma of dementia persists: MedicareFAQ – Medicare Resource Center Support a caregiver or jump-start discussion in support groups with real stories - for bulk orders of Minding Our Elders e-mail Carol                  Related StoriesCaregivers Share Their Experiences and Insights To Help Other CaregiversMost Caregivers Struggle With Some Type of Unearned GuiltWhat's in a Name? When Dementia Erases Your Identity From Their Memory 
Source: Minding Our Elders - Category: Geriatrics Authors: Source Type: blogs