The Snowball Effect of Dementia
December 2022 Communication
Dementia ricochets throughout our relationships, and throughout the social network. It is not only the person who is living with the condition who is affected, but family and friends, work colleagues, and many others. Dementia truly does have a snowball effect. Conflict and discord can escalate where conflict and discord may have previously been manageable. Difficulties in relationships can emerge, which can actually create a barrier to connecting with the person now living with dementia.
Sometimes familial conflict can even seem insurmountable. I know, I speak from experience.
My own personal experience of fractured families, which became more so after my father’s diagnosis of a dementia, was pivotal in the development of some components of my PhD research, as I wanted others to not have the conflict I experienced. I wanted to find a way to help families in particular to not have to experience what I had. I also wanted others to have the opportunity to find a new relationship.
But again, I know all too well that it takes cooperation to build bridges across the social network, and if corporation and willingness to be humble and to try are lacking in families, combined with stereotypical attitudes, then it can seem an impossible bridge to build. So we end up individually mourning the loss of what the relationship or relationships have been.
However, this expression of sorrow and grief is required if we are to move to a new relationship with the person now living with an advancing dementia. It is only in grieving for the person one has known in the past can we come to unconditionally accept the person in the present. Without this mourning it will be difficult to find a renewed relationship.
If you would like help with conflict in your social network or would like more information about network mapping, contact me to discuss network mapping options that could help you build that bridge, and lessen the barriers to connection.
Until next time.
Stay safe. Stay connected. Keep listening.
Never stop learning.
Sometimes familial conflict can even seem insurmountable. I know, I speak from experience.
My own personal experience of fractured families, which became more so after my father’s diagnosis of a dementia, was pivotal in the development of some components of my PhD research, as I wanted others to not have the conflict I experienced. I wanted to find a way to help families in particular to not have to experience what I had. I also wanted others to have the opportunity to find a new relationship.
But again, I know all too well that it takes cooperation to build bridges across the social network, and if corporation and willingness to be humble and to try are lacking in families, combined with stereotypical attitudes, then it can seem an impossible bridge to build. So we end up individually mourning the loss of what the relationship or relationships have been.
However, this expression of sorrow and grief is required if we are to move to a new relationship with the person now living with an advancing dementia. It is only in grieving for the person one has known in the past can we come to unconditionally accept the person in the present. Without this mourning it will be difficult to find a renewed relationship.
If you would like help with conflict in your social network or would like more information about network mapping, contact me to discuss network mapping options that could help you build that bridge, and lessen the barriers to connection.
Until next time.
Stay safe. Stay connected. Keep listening.
Never stop learning.