Living with dementia can be both challenging and scary. However, there are many things that you can do to carry on living life as well as possible. You need to keep a positive outlook!
Your plans for the future may change, but dementia doesn’t change who you are as a person. This diagnosis doesn’t mean that you need to stop doing the things that you enjoy, but you may have to start doing them in a different way.
There are some practical things that you can do to help you live as well as possible. You need to focus on the things you can and want to do, and try not to become isolated to the people around you. Keeping busy with activities you enjoy may help you feel more confident and happy in your life.
Coping with Memory Loss
Memory loss can be distressing and undermine your confidence.
- Keep a diary or calendar to write important things down that you want to remember. It may be easier for you to keep a large ‘week to week’ view diary for easy identification.
- Put labels or pictures on cupboards to help remind you where things are in your home. You could keep frequently used items such as a cup, plate and cutlery out on your table.
- Place useful and important telephone numbers by the side of your phone.
- Ask your pharmacist about putting your pills in disposable dosette box which has the days of the week marked on it. This will help you keep organised.
Being Active
Keeping as active as possible will bring great benefits. Being active can help you meet people, retain skills and memory, boost your self esteem, improve sleep and avoid depression.
- Taking regular exercise
- Gardening
- Scrapbooking
- Playing board games or cards
- Doing world, number or jigsaw puzzles
- Reading books, newspapers or magazines
- Listening to audiobooks, the radio or music
- Arts and crafts
- Sewing
- Day trips and holidays
- Spending time with friends, family or pets
Staying Healthy
Having dementia doesn’t mean you should feel ill, depressed or anxious. It is important that you check with the doctor if you feel unwell as other illnesses and infections can make you more confused and forgetful.
- Try to eat balanced meals
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Take physical regular exercise
- If you smoke, consider stopping
- Keep warm
- Create a stable sleeping pattern
- Have the flu vaccine each year and ask about the pneumonia vaccine for over 65’s.
In next weeks dementia blog we will be focussing on how to keep safe in your home.
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