Dear friend in a journey of memory loss,
Perhaps you’ve been dealing with short-term memory loss recently, or perhaps you’ve had memory loss for a long time. Perhaps you’ve been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. Perhaps you’ve been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.
You’re not alone. Over 100 million people around the world have some sort of memory loss or reduction in cognitive function. Many of those people, along with their families, ignore their situation and don’t fully accept it. But accepting your condition allows you to get the emotional and medical support you need, and can make you happier and healthier in your journey, and can even help slow down the progression of further memory loss.
Acceptance can be emotionally difficult. We want you to know that you are not alone in this path. We want you to know that it is perfectly normal to feel disbelief, anger, fear, disappointment and denial. Please know that we are one of the many organizations you can tap in your journey.
You may be troubled by the stigma that has traditionally been associated with memory loss, and we understand that you are probably having second thoughts about informing your family and friends about your situation. Please bear in mind that sharing with them will lighten your load, and will allow people close to you to better support you. And societal views about memory loss (and aging in general) are rapidly evolving, so you may be pleasantly surprised at how open and non-judgemental the people around you will be.
We want to share with you these points about living with memory loss*:
- You are not defined by your illness. You have people who love you, things you can do well, and many gifts to offer.
- Living with memory loss can be challenging, but there are ways to make the journey better. Healthy habits (especially those that impact brain health) can help you feel better and even help you think more clearly. You have time to adapt. You can find ways to keep enjoying your life.
- You do not have to walk this path alone. Your family and friends are with you as you move forward. People and programs in the community are available to help support you as well.
- If you’re someone who’s fiercely independent and used to “going it alone”, you may find that proactively seeking outside support helps you stay independent for longer on your journey.
We wish you well as you go down the path of acceptance on this journey. Know that many others with the same condition have paved the way and have shown us that you can still lead a full life.. Have faith in yourself, your loved ones and the community around you. Know that we are among the many groups you can reach out to. Please let us know if you need any assistance, or simply someone to talk to.
Sincerely,
Your friends at Joygage
*Reference:
University of Washington Medicine. “Living With Memory Loss, A Basic Guide” First Edition 2017. Accessed November 19, 2022 https://depts.washington.edu/mbwc/content/page-files/LWML-Handbook_reduced_2_27_17.pdf