How Dementia Affects A Family: Managing Conflicts
In recent years, life expectancy has increased significantly: we live longer and better lives. This is obviously positive. But this also means that health problems that did not exist before have begun to arise, and one of these problems is dementia. As time goes on, in some cases, cognitive impairment arises. It makes it difficult to live alone and do everyday things.
Diseases such as dementia are in fact the main cause of care needs in industrialized countries. So how does this situation affect the family ?
Conflicts when a family member has dementia
All families have conflicts in daily life. Usually, these conflicts are resolved, for better or worse, depending on the problem-solving abilities of each family member. But when a member of the family suffers from dementia, the quarrels and tensions can increase.
This is because dementia involves several stressors that did not exist before. First, there is a lack of information about the disease. In addition, it is difficult to predict how the disease will develop. This leads to insecurity in the family.
On the other hand, caring for a person with dementia can be costly. Especially since there may be a need to hire help, pay for a stay in a day center or provide a place for the person in a nursing home.
Conflicts can arise because a family member may require so many resources and time that there is no surplus left when other family members need help.
In addition , there are often disagreements about how to care for the person with dementia. Not only that, some may think that the right decisions are not made, or that they are taken out of selfishness instead of thinking about what is best for the patient.
Why do these conflicts continue?
Now that we know the sources of conflict, we need to understand why they remain unresolved. Then we can learn how to solve them. Communication problems are the main reason that prevents family members from finding an alternative that satisfies everyone.
This blockage of communication often causes someone to have trouble expressing what they feel and what they think about dementia. They are afraid to ask for help and this can lead to quarrels.
Also, children or other family members may have had problems in the past with the person who is ill. This can cause guilt and make other family members react more aggressively than others.
Children may also end up competing to prove that they are the best caregiver .
What can we do to resolve conflicts?
When a family member has dementia, it will create a complex situation for the whole family. But it is possible to minimize conflicts.
To do so, it is important to modify the harmful dynamics of the process of caring for someone with dementia.
It is important to work with communication. Being able to express our feelings and opinions in connection with the disease will help to gradually resolve disputes.
In addition , we must remember that family members who communicate and cooperate more easily will be able to support each other .
In addition, being flexible about the changed roles and routines when caring for a loved one with dementia will lead to greater support.
Finally, we must learn to make decisions in a focused way. All this will help the family to adapt to dementia much better, and minimize the suffering this terrible disease causes.
