The idea of coping with Dementia can be a scary thing to be faced with – but it is better to deal with it rather than pretend it’s not happening.
If you or someone close to you has been recently diagnosed with dementia, it doesn’t mean life is over. It’s normal to feel angry, frustrated and depressed so try to focus on moving forward and coping with Dementia. By being prepared it will make it easier in the long run – so let’s look at ways to do just that.
Be Open About Your Condition
One of the most important ways to cope with dementia is to keep talking openly with friends and family. Don’t shut them out, continue to involve them and share your feelings with them. You’re in this together so ask for help when you need it. The more you speak other about it, the easier it will be for your loved ones to understand your needs and how to help.
Struggling to express your emotions with family? Don’t worry - there are support groups that allow you to connect with others in a similar situation, not only to talk to and learn about the disease but to listen to your concerns and difficulties.
Stay Organised At Home
Store your belongings in logical ways so that things are easy to find. You can go further than this and put labels on drawers and doors to help you locate what you need. Get into the habit of placing things in the same place every time.
Keep A Diary
Buy a nice diary or appointment book to keep a written schedule of appointments, tasks, and medication. Keeping track of tasks, exciting things you’ve done each day, as well as feelings and emotions, is a useful exercise. It’s also a good idea to write down all your personal information about where you live, next of kin contacts and your phone number - keep it with you in case of emergencies.
Don’t stop enjoying your hobbies and passions in life
Keep participating for as long as you are able to. When it becomes a challenge think of other ways you can continue to be involved with these activities perhaps in another role.
Plan Your Day
Each day will have high and low points throughout them, try to take on the difficult tasks at times of the day when you feel you are at your best allowing yourself plenty of time. When it gets tough, either take a break and return later or simply ask for help with it. Asking for assistance is not a weakness, its brave and a step in the right direction.
Plan For The Future
Plan for the future, it’s part of being organised and you will feel better if you do. When the time comes and your disease progresses to the point where you can no longer care for yourself, decide which of the many options are best for you. Speak with your family about how you want to live - you can still have choices in your life.
Make necessary legal and financial arrangements, for example, appointing a trusted person to handle your money and affairs when you can no longer do so. It may sound drastic but if you don’t handle this type when you can it will put a huge strain on your family when decisions need to be made and they are powerless.
Discuss where you would like to live if caring for yourself becomes too difficult. A care home may not be your preferred option. You may want to stay in your home where things are familiar, you’ve made a lifetime of memories and you feel most comfortable.
There are so many care options that can be tailored to your exact needs and you may have more options available than you realise. If you do require any help or assistance our care team is here for you.