It is quite common for people to experience a number of emotions following a diagnosis of dementia:
- You may find receiving a diagnosis will come as a shock
- You may have noticed that things were not quite right for some time and now there are a lot of things to take on board, which can feel overwhelming.
- You may feel relieved that you have some answers and can start to make plans
- You may have some unanswered questions
- You may be confused about what will happen next, where you can go to for support and what will happen when you get there
- You may feel that dementia is a death sentence but, although the various conditions associated with dementia are incurable, a diagnosis of dementia does not necessarily mean the end of your life
If any of this relates to you these web pages can help you to start to answer some of these questions and also direct you to local and national sources of information and support.
The first, and most important, thing to remember is that you are not alone and there is a great deal that you can do to live a happy and fulfilling life after a dementia diagnosis.
Things that might be useful to consider following your diagnosis
- Gather information about your diagnosis – as soon as you feel ready, find out about what to expect and where you can get further information.
- Get support locally in your community – please remember that you are not alone and it is important to stay connected to others.
- Look after your physical health – try to stay physically active, eat a healthy balanced diet, take any medication that you have been prescribed and get plenty of sleep.
- Always see your doctor if you have any concerns – improved blood circulation in the brain resulting from a healthy heart can have a positive impact on symptoms and the progression of the disease, this is particularly true of vascular dementia, which is associated with a reduction of blood flow to the brain.
- Regular exercise is particularly important because it helps to keep you physically healthy, protecting you from illness and disease. Exercise can help people to stay mobile and independent for as long as possible, helping to protect against also by strengthening muscles and aiding flexibility, it can also reduce stress, improve mood, increase confidence and help you to stay connected with others.
- Use ideas and tips to help you with everyday tasks – taking the time now to try new tips and strategies, such as simple memory aids, can help you to stay independent for as long as possible.
- Take steps to stay safe- you may have concerns about staying safe in the future for example questions about driving, accommodation or safety in the home. There is much support in the community from care services and also support groups to help you think about making plans for the future.
- Learn, experience and connect – do activities and hobbies that you enjoy.
- Expect to have good and bad days – remember you are not alone, support is available to you, and there is a lot you can do to live a happy and positive life with dementia.
- Dementia Cafes – can provide a supportive environment for both you and anybody who is supporting you.
Visit Dementia UK for more information and further reading:
https://www.dementiauk.org/get-support/diagnosis-and-next-steps/