Conversation in case of dementia: stay connected - the importance of family and social ties for people with dementia
Van Dalen, L.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 161: D2128
2017
ISSN/ISBN: 1876-8784 PMID: 28936942 Document Number: 692958
In case of severe illnesses such as dementia it is important to keep inquiring how the person concerned and his or her social network view and experience the illness. For conditions that cannot be cured, family and social ties have proven to be the most important factors in experiencing quality of life. In case of dementia, people can be distressed when they feel excluded from such conversations. Family members are often only approached in their roles as informal caregivers or representatives. However, by also discussing other roles in relationships, families and friendships and by alternating in these conversations between the positions of so-called expert and advisor, doctors can contribute to preventing connections from breaking off prematurely. This way, they help relatives and friends to stay connected with the person suffering from dementia. While such conversations do not lead to recovery, they may have a 'healing' effect.