Telling your family/whanau and friends about your diagnosis of dementia may be difficult but they can’t give you the support you need unless you tell them what is going on. Like you, they may have noticed something hasn’t been right with you and a diagnosis can help your family/whanau and friends come to terms with what has been happening.
Of course it’s up to you who you tell, and when and how you tell them. However, you will need the help of others as your condition progresses so, in general, sharing the news sooner rather than later is best.
Here are some things to think about when considering how you share your diagnosis:
Who do I tell?
How and when should I raise it?
How will people respond to me after I tell them?
Will telling the person help me to cope with the diagnosis?
The answers to these questions will be personal to you, and it can be very hard to predict how people will react. Help is available – ask your GP or your local Alzheimers organisation for guidance.
Remember, there are support groups available in your local community, where you can share your experiences and learn from others facing similar challenges.