Early Diagnosis Is Worth the Risk of Offending a Loved One

Sadly, millions of people in the U.S. live with Alzheimer’s disease. Even sadder is that fewer than half of Alzheimer’s patients or their caregivers report being told of the diagnosis by a healthcare provider.

An Alzheimer’s Association report from 2015 indicated that only 45 percent of people with Alzheimer’s disease or their caregivers say they were told the diagnosis by a physician. This is a staggering statistic.

Imagine if a doctor knowingly withheld a breast cancer diagnosis. It would be devastating for the patient, even deadly. This is equally true for Alzheimer’s patients.

Early is sometimes late

Realistically, time is a great foe for Alzheimer’s patients, but in the beginning stages, timing is everything. Unfortunately, patients and their caregivers often receive the diagnosis after the disease has progressed. This impedes early detection, which is critical to slowing Alzheimer’s progressive destruction of the brain.

The early signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s don’t come early enough. By the time symptoms are noticeable, the disease may be further along than expected. Family members need to address slight but unusual changes in behavior.

Ignorance isn’t bliss

The truth won’t set people free from Alzheimer’s, but when armed with a diagnosis, patients and families have the proper footing to advance. Take the initiative. Familial caregivers must step into the fray with their loved ones and become a patient advocate.

Caregivers struggle with role reversal

The reversal of parent-child roles is emotionally taxing. The same is true when a spousal relationship is suddenly transformed into caregiving. Family members want to do what’s best for their loved ones, like searching for a diagnosis, but it is more natural to stay within traditional familial roles and personal comfort zones. Perhaps it is helpful to remember that nothing about Alzheimer’s is natural or normal. Caregivers have to adapt to new roles and a new normal, and to things that don’t come naturally.

The risk

You may not be someone who always takes charge, but from the perspective of a caregiver, it may be time. Start the conversation. Be the one who broaches the subject of a loved one’s odd behavior. Be the person who is willing to take it on the chin, so to speak. Reverse roles for the good of your parent, spouse, or friend. Love someone enough to risk offending them and potentially altering your relationship in the process.

Early diagnosis is that important.

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Note: Alzheimer’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Alzheimer’s News Today or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Alzheimer’s Disease.