Sharing diagnosis with elderly parents- any advice?

I think im at the point I'd like to share my diagnosis with my parents, they're in late eighties.

Im off work just now recovering from burnout, they know im off work, have told them im exhausted and work is too stressful but they're now really starting to ask more questions and I think they're worrying about me. Im never normally off work so this is highly unusual.

I think I want to tell them so they wont worry, however, aware they will still worry as they won't understand it all but at least they'll know im not dying! I think how I explain it to them, ie the words I use are important, eg I found out im autistic rather than I got diagnosed. 

I just wondered if anyone had any tips on telling elderly parents. Just to add my mum has early stage dementia. Others in my family already know about my diagnosis. 

Parents
  • Just interested in this post because I haven't told my mother, she's in her 80s. To be honest, because of our relationship I don't think she'd understand. That generation was very much 'get on with things and don't bother anyone' plus she also has her own view of me. That said, it depends on your parents' characters and personalities. I think your idea "I just found out..." is nice and gentle.

Reply
  • Just interested in this post because I haven't told my mother, she's in her 80s. To be honest, because of our relationship I don't think she'd understand. That generation was very much 'get on with things and don't bother anyone' plus she also has her own view of me. That said, it depends on your parents' characters and personalities. I think your idea "I just found out..." is nice and gentle.

Children
No Data