Living with dementia is not the end. Everyone deals with the challenges of dementia in their own way, but here are some ideas that have helped others.
At Home
- Follow a routine. Doing things at the same time each day or week can reassure you and stimulate your memory.
- Pin notes up in prominent places if there are things you need to do regularly, like locking the doors at night or putting out the recycling.
- Carry a notebook to write down daily tasks.
- Put important things, like glasses or keys, in the same place every time so that you know where to find them.
- Get a clock that shows the date and day of the week.
At Work
- If you're still working, it's a good idea to tell your employer about your dementia diagnosis so they can help to you continue working. They have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to help you to continue working. This could include simplifying your routine or changing your working times
- If you decide to stop working, get advice on your pension and any benefits you may be eligible for first. Find out if you're entitled to support here (opens in new tab)
- If you're in the armed forces, work on a plane or ship, or your job involves driving, you must tell your employer if you are diagnosed with dementia.
Interacting With Others
- Ask questions if you don't understand or have forgotten what was said.
- Put important telephone numbers by the phone.
- Stay in touch with family and friends rather than isolate yourself - attend family gatherings or visit a neighbour
- Carry a help card that can let people know you have dementia and includes the contact details of a chosen contact.
- Maintain personal independence and try to avoid allowing people to takeover - they may think they're helping by doing as much for you as possible.
Out And About
- If you drive, tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and your insurance company about your diagnosis. You may not have to stop driving straight away. If they decide you can continue driving they will review this again, usually after a year.
- When booking a holiday think about whether you want to travel to somewhere new or somewhere familiar. There are specialist companies, such as Revitalise (opens in new tab) , Tourism for all (opens in new tab) and Dementia adventure (opens in new tab) , that offer package holidays for people with dementia.
- Physical activity is not only good for your health, it can also improve your mood and lift your spirits. Walking, swimming, dancing and gentle exercise classes are all good options.
- If you're finding gardening harder than you used to contact Thrive (opens in new tab) , who offer advice on practical solutions, such as choosing specially adapted tools, to make gardening easier.
Stay Socially Active
Keeping in touch with people and engaging in social activities, such as going to the theatre or cinema, or being part of a walking group or choir, is good for your confidence and mental wellbeing.
If you have someone who helps care for you, an active social life is good for them, too.
Many communities are now dementia-friendly. For example, cinemas put on dementia-friendly screenings of the latest films, and leisure centres run dementia-friendly swimming sessions as well as other activities.
It's a good idea to join a local dementia-friendly group, perhaps at a memory café (a "dementia-friendly" café) or community centre. You can share experiences and use tips from others who are living with dementia.