LIVING WELL WITH DEMENTIA – SOME TIPS FROM THE NHS

There are many useful guides available that help people to live well following a dementia / Alzheimer’s diagnosis. And, of course, you can always get face to face advice from medical and healthcare professionals at the annual Alzheimer’s Show.

Here’s an overview of the main points highlighted by the NHS in their guide to Living Well With Dementia:

Stay Socially Active

It’s all too easy to withdraw from social activities following a dementia diagnosis. But keeping in touch with people and doing things that require you to get out of the house and interact with others in a social environment is an effective way to boost your mental well-being.

 

Tell People About Your Diagnosis

Some people will find this more difficult than others, but when you’re ready you should inform the people you’re in touch with about your diagnosis and explain what it means. People may start to react differently around you, but at least they will understand what you may be having trouble with – such as following conversations or short term memory.

 

Keep Yourself Healthy

Keeping on top of your physical and mental health is a key issue in helping to live with dementia. Various things such as keeping fit, getting enough sleep and eating healthily can all help you keep on top of things more readily.

 

Tips to Cope with Memory and Thinking Issues

You may find it useful to develop a regular routine that you can stick to each day, plus keeping essential items such as keys in the same place and having a list of useful contact numbers to hand so they are easy to find when needed.

 

Read more of the tips and advice from the NHS – including links to many other useful pages of information – at the Dementia Advice section of their website.