
This article discusses the results of a study published at
bmj.com. To read the full details of the study click
here.
Basically, the findings of the study were that if people facing a dementia diagnosis were given a verbal explanation regarding what advanced dementia means, accompanied by a video of people with advanced dementia, as opposed to just receiving the verbal explanation, they were better able to make decision regarding their future care.
I personally don't find this finding surprising. Goodness knows I have ranted and raved enough in the past about how important it is for people facing this disease to be forewarned with regards to what it really means to have it. Ten years ago when Dad was diagnosed all we got were vague suggestions that he would become forgetful, that he wouldn't know how to dress and may have trouble making decisions. Often I feel that people even now suggest I censor what I say about what dementia really results in, I am told it is too shocking, to frightening and I shouldn't be upsetting people with my knowledge. And yes it is shocking and it is frightening, but without this knowledge I see too many people wasting their good years, I see people not planning ahead sufficiently and I see society dismissing this disease as a 'nice way to go, where you just forget and don't realise what is happening'....