How Can We Talk About Dementia Without Stigma?
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Stephanie Sattar is a Cognitive Health Specialist at NewDays who helps families navigate questions about memory, aging, and cognitive health.
Question:
How Can We Talk About Dementia Without Stigma?
Answer by Stephanie Sattar:
Terms like dementia, cognitive impairment, and cognitive decline can carry a lot of stigma. Often, that stigma comes from fear: fear of losing abilities, independence, or even a sense of who we are.
But cognitive changes are medical conditions, not personal failures.
One way to reduce the fear and stigma is to talk openly about what we're experiencing. I encourage clients and families to focus on strengths, abilities, and quality of life, rather than only on what may be changing.
These conversations can also help people feel less isolated. When someone has a concern but doesn't feel comfortable talking about it, the fear, embarrassment, or shame can become even harder to carry.
Talking about cognitive changes as a medical condition can create space for more open conversations and help families begin moving forward together.
If you have questions about cognitive health or want to talk with a clinician, you can schedule a free conversation with a NewDays clinician at newdays.ai/join.
Have a question for Stephanie? Submit your cognitive health questions to hello@newdays.ai and it might be featured in our next Ask Stephanie post.
