September is World Alzheimer’s Month, an international campaign to raise dementia awareness and challenge stigmas people hold about the disease. The focus of this year’s World Alzheimer’s Month centers on understanding and addressing the current perceptions and attitudes towards dementia, aiming to address stigmas and misinformation around the condition to ultimately build a more dementia friendly society.
As professionals who spend extensive time caring for those who live with dementia, Silverado associates have a unique perspective into how the stigmas are often starkly different than the realities. To help further the goal of this month’s observance, a group of Silverado’s dementia specialists have shared their perspectives on common stigmas they have observed:
One misconception about dementia is that the resident cannot contribute positively to the world around them.
Shannon Royes, Director of Resident and Family Services
Silverado Hemann Park
One misconception I’d love to do away with is the idea that those living with dementia are no longer capable of enjoying meaningful relationships and experiences. When someone joins a Silverado community, they can still live fulfilling lives with purpose, joy, and connection to those around them, all while receiving the right support and care that enhances their quality of life.
Anja Jakubovic, Family Ambassador
Silverado Belmont Hills
We often hear family members say things like ‘my husband/dad/etc. hasn’t gotten to the difficult behavior stage yet’ when they may never have difficult behaviors. There is a stigma that everyone with dementia or Alzheimer’s will be angry and aggressive.
Laura Printy, Senior Administrator
Silverado Bellingham
A misconception is that people with dementia only need a ‘safe space’ to live. They also need connection with others, purposeful engagements for their brain, a staff that understands the disease and to be treated with dignity and respect throughout the disease process.
Ashley Ritter, Family Ambassador
Silverado Southlake
People with dementia are NOT like children so don’t treat them like children. They’re full-grown adults who may have cognitive impairment but they’re adults nonetheless. Don’t talk down to them like they can’t understand you because they do. They may not understand your words but they connect with your tone of voice and demeanor. Don’t talk about them like they’re absent when they’re around. Acknowledge their presence. Despite dementia, they are, like everyone else, people whose presence needs validation, appreciation and love.
Vida Gwinn, Regional Administrator Specialist
Silverado Sierra Vista
