Michel

In 2015, I was diagnosed with dementia. I was scared, anxious and began to ask myself questions about my future.

However, this all stopped when I got help from my doctor. I didn’t have to wait too long to see him, and the collaboration between my neurologist and psychiatrist was excellent. They provided both my family and I with empathy and excellent advice, and I felt they were sincerely trying to help me.

Since my diagnosis, my wife has also felt some anxiety and sought out information about dementia. Despite her worries, both she and my son have stayed by my side and been a great support to me.

I had to abandon a part of my previous life. I have less energy and have had difficulty keeping up with others and taking part in the activities I enjoyed in the past. There have been a lot of changes in my everyday life.

It’s important to be open with other people about the disease. It took me some time before I could tell others about my diagnosis, because I was scared they would see me differently. I think you should also explain it to the people around you — even to young children, if they are old enough to understand. It’s also important to participate in groups and activities.

Nowadays, there is more information, more conferences, and more documentation available, not to mention more awareness of the reality of caregivers. I think it’s important that we keep talking about it.