Being diagnosed with dementia or cognitive impairment is not easy to manage, neither for the patient, nor for the caregiver or the family. The patient can start seeing themselves as less capable than they used to be, a person needing constant supervision and reminders from their loved ones in order to function properly. For the caregiver or caregivers, a certain state of anxiety is created regarding the senior, as they are perceived as more prone to accidents and in need of continuous help, but also a feeling of dread concerning the future and what it will bring. Of course, the diagnosis of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease or other types of cognitive impairment require more care and guidance, but, in a lot of cases, the way these elderly people are perceived can be far away from the actual state of things.

Cognitive impairment in all its forms is usually associated with negative stereotypes, something that is exacerbated by its depictions in popular culture. According to a recent study, social attitudes of dementia are reflected and shaped by literature, movies, and the media, which in turn affects the stigma associated with dementia [1]. There were different ways in which dementia was described in a negative frame in the media: biomedical (dementia is a brain deterioration for which there is currently no cure), natural disaster or epidemic (dementia is a force of nature that will overwhelm mankind), and living dead (dementia patients lose their brain functions, memories, and minds, and thus their personhood and human rights). Examples of more positive portrayals of dementia included enjoying personal growth, expressing love, and exercising human agency. Fear, shame, sympathy, and guilt were among the emotions frequently linked to dementia, and representations of these emotions frequently led to a feeling of social distancing [1].

This can result in a loss of close relationships for people suffering from dementia, as their friends and families do not perceive them as the people they were before, usually labelling them as less competent to manage their own lives. The findings of a study imply that a doctor's diagnosis of presumed dementia in older persons may have an impact on social interactions in ways that include social withdrawal and support-seeking [2]. Another study which investigated the psychosocial and cognitive functioning of 124 individuals with MCI using data from the Comprehensive Assessment of Neurodegeneration and Dementia research discovered that higher memory test results were linked to higher life satisfaction. Additionally, it identified a substantial correlation between verbal fluency and processing speed and present social activity. In particular, verbal fluency and processing speed scores were lower for those who supported low current social participation than for those who supported normal or high current social participation [3]. Similarly, higher perceived quality social interactions were linked to better cognition over a six-year period in a separate study [4].

Thus, we can say that quality relationships are associated with better dementia outcomes. This implies that it is critical for healthcare providers to talk about services and supports at the time of diagnosis. For the majority of the patients suffering from dementia and their future caregivers, the diagnosis can be a shock and it can involve a mentally taxing period. They might not be able or willing to search for ways in which to keep the senior’s horizons open. It is very important for the medical personnel involved in the diagnosis to present opportunities and offer aid to the overwhelmed senior and their family.

Once the initial shock subsides, it is crucial for caregivers and doctors to encourage the preservation and growth of close relationships for the elderly people, the physical activities with friends, such as visits, walks in the park, painting, crochet etc., but also the cognitive activities which involve socialization and keep the minds of the seniors in constant motion, such as face-to-face and online games, book clubs or meetings to discuss the recent events. There is evidence that promoting social interaction is a viable mitigation strategy that reduces impairment associated with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias [5]. Therefore, embolden your senior relative or friend to socialize! It could improve their quality of life significantly!

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