Dealing with Family Conflict

Serious illness can ignite or magnify family conflicts, especially when people cope differently when faced with caregiving responsibilities. Some family members will jump in and help to the fullest, while others may deny what is happening or resent the care that you are offering to your loved one. Also, disagreements about financial and care decisions are common. If your loved one has a genetic variant of CJD, family members may be scared, angry and uncertain about what to do. Recognizing these differences early on will help alleviate frustration later.