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Nearly 40% Skip Visits to Relatives with Dementia
23 Jan
Summary
- 37% of adults avoid visiting relatives with dementia due to communication difficulty.
- Over half fear the day their relative no longer recognizes them.
- Most visitors lack guidance, with 67% never receiving training on dementia interaction.
New research indicates that nearly 40% of adults actively avoid visiting family members living with dementia. The primary obstacle cited is communication difficulty, with 37% unsure how to converse effectively and 22% uncertain about appropriate behavior. These barriers prevent meaningful interactions for over half of those surveyed.
Many visitors express fear of the day their relative no longer recognizes them, a concern shared by 53% of respondents. Additionally, 26% find seeing their affected relative 'too painful.' This highlights a significant need for support in maintaining family connections.
Care UK has launched a guide, 'Staying connected: A guide to dementia-friendly conversations,' to address these issues. The guide offers expert advice on approaching conversations, especially when individuals with dementia experience confusion. This initiative aims to empower families and break down communication barriers.
Despite the challenges, 67% of respondents have never received training on interacting with individuals with dementia, and 62% believe insufficient support is available. Many are actively seeking resources, with 52% desiring guidance from dementia care professionals and 34% looking for support groups.
