Photo via Pexels
Impact of Dementia on Relationships
Dementia can have a profound impact on relationships as the disease progresses. As your spouse’s cognitive abilities diminish, you will likely have to encounter additional roles and responsibilities. What starts as a spousal position turns into a caregiver position. This transition can result in feelings of isolation and stress while watching your spouse grapple with confusion, memory loss, and personality changes. Below, we’ll discuss how dementia can impact relationships.
Intimacy
More often than not, spouses feel overwhelmed with changes in their relationships. With your spouse’s decline in cognitive ability, you may not experience the same physical or emotional intimacy that you had before. From depression to physical ailments, it’s common for individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s to have changes in their sex drive. Additionally, it’s common for those in the caregiver role to lose interest due to the pressure of caregiving.
Emotional Well-Being
A large amount of the shifts that accompany dementia have a profound impact on spouses. Spouses who are in the caregiving role often feel that their partner is gone when trying to adapt to drastic changes. Caregiving spouses also have a high rate of depression due to a myriad of psychological challenges. For instance, the partner with dementia may ask repetitive questions over and over again.
Social Isolation
As a spouse dealing with dementia, you may become socially isolated from close family and friends. In some instances, they may decrease their communication and visits because you do not have as much time to spend with them as before. In other instances, family and friends may be reluctant to spend quality time with you because they’re concerned about saying and doing the right things.
Changes in Roles
You’ll likely experience changes in roles as your partner’s memory starts to diminish. When it comes to dealing with a spouse with dementia, your partner may no longer have the ability to make important decisions or perform daily activities such as household chores, managing finances, and budgeting. It’s crucial to get yourself ready for these changes by securing important documents such as retirement accounts and life insurance policies.
Tips for Dealing With Dementia
Being a caregiving spouse to a partner with dementia is a challenging task. Fortunately, there are community resources and effective strategies you can use to aid in managing your new reality. We’ll shed light and provide essential tips for dealing with dementia so you can maintain your peace of mind while ensuring the best care for your partner.
Laughter Is the Best Medicine
Laughter is good for the mind, body, and soul. You can laugh along with your partner at amusing occurrences or previously shared jokes. You can also benefit as the caregiver from sharing a laugh or two with a close friend.
Avoid Arguing
The last thing you want to do is argue with someone with dementia. If your partner gets pieces of information wrong such as dates, avoid correcting or arguing with them. For instance, if your partner says that they’re ready to head home even though they’re already sitting in the dining room you’ve shared for decades, go along with it.
Use Community Resources to Your Advantage
Local resources such as home health care agencies, Meals on Wheels programs, and adult day centers can assist with extra care and meals when you need them. An assisted living facility is also a great place to start. You can also access additional support for dementia through churches and other places of worship.
Reach Out for Help
As strong as you are, you don’t have to do everything alone. Ask for help from family members and friends so you can take a much-needed break. Remember, you need a break from time to time so that you can always be your best self when providing care.
If you’re a spouse dealing with dementia, it can have significant impacts on your relationship. Dementia introduces unpredictable challenges and that demand a wealth of resilience and patience. Despite the challenges, keep in mind that you are not alone in this experience.
There are numerous resources and support systems available, including Sandyside Senior Living. If you need extra assistance or would like to learn more about our comprehensive services, get in contact with us online or call (248) 698-3700.