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Friends

Mother and daughter looking and smartphone

Changes in social relationships or friendships can follow the onset of dementia symptoms. For example, symptoms that change a person’s vision and perception may mean they stop engaging in group sporting activities. Alternatively, symptoms that alter speech and language abilities may impact a person’s ability to communicate with friends. For both those living with dementia and their friends, it may take some time to adjust to changes in the activities or routines of the friendship. While there may be changes, it can be helpful to focus on what activities are possible and enjoyable and find new routines and activities. 

People tell us that changes to friendships, and even the loss of friendships, can be a common experience in the post-diagnostic period. This is due, in part, to the fact that there is limited public knowledge about rare dementia. Because less is known, this may impact how friends communicate with each other about the changes. A person who is newly diagnosed may feel reluctant to attend social gatherings or may be unsure about how to tell others about their condition. Friends and others in your social network may not know how to react, how to understand what is happening or how to help. 

Maintaining friendships is absolutely possible and can be an important part of maintaining well-being. 

Tips to help maintain relationships:

  • Be patient. It may take time to adjust to new friendship routines.
  • If you are a friend of someone with a new dementia diagnosis, ask them what changes to social activities might be needed and what might they enjoy doing together. Be open to changes.
  • If you are a friend of someone living with a rare dementia, learn more about the dementia. Learning more on your own is an excellent way to help your friend. You can attend one of the RDS Canada diagnosis-specific support groups to find out more about the diagnosis itself and how to be a supportive friend.
  • Pay attention to pace. The pace of activities may need to change. The person living with dementia is the best person to set the pace amongst friends.
  • Focus on what is possible and enjoyable and not on the limitations.
  • Be open and honest with feelings. It may be helpful to both acknowledge the losses that are taking place and discuss them as friends.
  • Leisure activities can be supportive of friendships and friendships can help to be a bridge in maintaining leisure activities.
  • If your friend is a family member of someone living with dementia, understand that they may need to shorten their social outings or do things closer to home.

A key point to remember is that there is a reciprocal relationship between leisure activities and friendship; they support one another! Finding fun and enjoyable activities to do with friends can be important.

If your friend is living with a rare dementia and you are unsure of how you may support them, please become a member or reach out to the RDS Canada support team.