Friends Unsure How To Move Forward
Dear Abby | January 6th, 2026 | Letter 3 of 3
DEAR ABBY: How does one approach, by phone, email or in person, a couple -- close friends of many years -- whose husband is slipping into dementia? Do we acknowledge and commiserate, pretend nothing is amiss, stop communicating and seeing them? Or ... what, exactly? The profound tragedy is that the husband has been an intellectual and executive giant of immense quality, with abundant gifts and skills. Watching this slow-motion tragedy unfold is agonizing. Not knowing what to say or do compounds the pain. -- DELIVERING PAINFUL NEWS.
DEAR DELIVERING: Social isolation is a killer. People in the early to middle stages of dementia are capable of being social. What you should continue to do is be the friend to this couple that you always have been and take your guidance from the wife. She will appreciate your kindness and support during this difficult time.
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