To Tell or Not to Tell?
I’ve debated this many times since Mom’s dementia became more noticeable.
Do you mention the diagnosis to her friends?
Or is it better to just let things be?
It’s a tough call when you want to protect her privacy.
The Expert View
The Alzheimer Society of Canada suggests that being open about dementia can help build a support system.
The idea is that transparency helps friends understand the changes.
They realize she isn’t being rude or bored.
She’s just processing the world differently now.
A Different Perspective
But there is another side to this.
The Person-Centred Care model says that well-being is about more than just a diagnosis.
It’s about respecting a person’s history and protecting their identity.
For someone who has always been independent, health is a private matter.
Keeping these details within the family is a positive choice to honour her life and ensure she isn’t treated differently.
My Approach
I’m open with my own friends because that support helps me be a better caregiver.
But with her friends, I choose to keep things private.
I want her to be able to just “be herself” without being seen as a “patient.”
If I stay relaxed at the table, her friends do too.
We fill in the gaps and keep moving.
It’s about her having the comfort of her own social circle for as long as possible.
Making the Choice
There isn’t one right answer for every family.
Some find relief in being explicit.
For us, keeping her health private is how we protect her peace of mind.
It’s about making her comfortable without putting her personal business on display.
In her world, she is still the person she’s always been.
Let’s Talk
How do you keep your parent’s identity front and centre when friends start to notice change? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear what works for you.