One of the difficulties of diagnosing dementia is that many seniors try to hide their symptoms. The situation may seem odd to you, but older adults often have their reasons. Some seniors feel the benefits of hiding their condition outweigh the assistance they would receive if they had an official diagnosis. Aging adults tend to hide their dementia symptoms because of the following reasons.
Denial
Hiding the symptoms and avoiding a diagnosis allows older adults to feel a false sense of security. In these circumstances, a senior’s worst fear may involve confronting the reality of the situation. Older adults might want to enjoy their current lives instead of feeling scared about the future. However, not confronting dementia could worsen its symptoms.
If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of senior home care Tucson, AZ, families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
A Need for Independence
Many older adults conceal their dementia symptoms because they’re afraid of losing their independence. Seniors know their family members will step in and take control. Instead of being reassuring, this can make self-reliant seniors upset. They may value their independence so much that they wish to keep others from noticing their dementia.
Living independently is important for seniors who want to maintain a high quality of life. For some, this simply means receiving help with tasks that have become more challenging to manage over time. Even when families have the best intentions, they may not have the time to provide the care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. If your loved one needs help for a few hours a day or a few days a week, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of respite care Tucson seniors can depend on.
Embarrassment
Older adults don’t like being viewed as old, fragile, and unable to take care of themselves. Seniors often have a strong desire to be respected and admired, and they may worry about losing this respect if people know they have dementia. Aging adults with adult children are particularly likely to hide dementia symptoms because they’re worried their children will no longer look up to them. Make sure to let your parent know he or she will always have your respect and appreciation.
A Desire to Avoid Being Inconvenient
Though you might be willing to drop everything and help your parent, he or she might not want you to do this. Many seniors don’t want to cause any difficulties for their family members. People who hate inconveniencing others might hide dementia because they don’t want to bother their family members and friends.
A Dislike of Change
Many seniors with dementia believe that bringing up the topic of memory loss could change everything about their lives. Since older adults with dementia tend to feel comfortable in familiar circumstances, many of them hate the idea of things changing. They may choose to keep dementia symptoms a secret so everything will stay the same. You may be able to reassure your loved one by listing all the ways his or her life will remain unchanged after an official diagnosis.
Providing care for aging adults with dementia can be a difficult task. Families who need help caring for a senior loved one can turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of Tucson home care. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your elderly parent, give us a call at (520) 276-6555 today.