Families often seek our geriatric care management services when they know a parent needs help. And it's not uncommon for the parent to resist assistance or support.
Adult children come to us at their wit's end, frustrated because "My Mom is in denial that she needs help!"
Or is she?
Sometimes, this unwillingness to accept or recognize the need for support is the result of a "lack of insight," which can be a symptom of dementia. The parent isn't denying that there are changes in their behavior or emotions, they are, in truth, unable to recognize the changes.
Lack of insight is the result of physical changes to the frontal lobes of the brain, the part of the brain that controls and manages insight. Insight is defined as "1: the ability to understand a person or a situation very clearly; also, 2 : the understanding of the truth of a situation." Merriam-Webster
Giving your parent the facts, confronting them, or trying to reason with them probably isn't having any affect. Lack of insight works that way: they are unable to understand that there are changes and reasons for concern.
Don't bang your head against the wall in frustration. As Care Managers, we can help you navigate these changes and provide education, as well as techniques, language, and approaches that will help you talk with your parent and guide them toward accepting choices that will support their safety while respecting them as a person, and bring you peace of mind.
If you live in the greater Seattle area, you can schedule a FREE get-acquainted call with us to determine together whether our services are a good fit for your needs.
There are Aging Life Care Professionals like us all over the country. To find a Care Manager near you, visit our professional association, the Aging Life Care Association.
This is an excerpt of a longer conversation between Laura Vaillancourt on her Life on Repeat podcast and Lisa Mayfield, Aging Wisdom's founder and principal.
Families often seek our geriatric care management services when they know a parent needs help. And it's not uncommon for the parent to resist assistance or support.
Adult children come to us at their wit's end, frustrated because "My Mom is in denial that she needs help!"
Or is she?
Sometimes, this unwillingness to accept or recognize the need for support is the result of a "lack of insight," which can be a symptom of dementia. The parent isn't denying that there are changes in their behavior or emotions, they are, in truth, unable to recognize the changes.
Lack of insight is the result of physical changes to the frontal lobes of the brain, the part of the brain that controls and manages insight. Insight is defined as "1: the ability to understand a person or a situation very clearly; also, 2 : the understanding of the truth of a situation." Merriam-Webster
Giving your parent the facts, confronting them, or trying to reason with them probably isn't having any affect. Lack of insight works that way: they are unable to understand that there are changes and reasons for concern.
Don't bang your head against the wall in frustration. As Care Managers, we can help you navigate these changes and provide education, as well as techniques, language, and approaches that will help you talk with your parent and guide them toward accepting choices that will support their safety while respecting them as a person, and bring you peace of mind.
If you live in the greater Seattle area, you can schedule a FREE get-acquainted call with us to determine together whether our services are a good fit for your needs.
There are Aging Life Care Professionals like us all over the country. To find a Care Manager near you, visit our professional association, the Aging Life Care Association.
This is an excerpt of a longer conversation between Laura Vaillancourt on her Life on Repeat podcast and Lisa Mayfield, Aging Wisdom's founder and principal.