I have been diagnosed with dementia

When you’re diagnosed with dementia, there are lots of things you can do that will help you to live as well as possible. It’s important to try to stay positive, and to focus on the things you can still do and enjoy.

Your relationships might change when you have dementia, which can be hard to adjust to. Talking about things with family and friends is important. You might find it hard to communicate sometimes.

Try to use the days when you find it easier to communicate to explain the problems you’re having and let people know how they can help you.

If you have memory problems, you could try using a large diary, and perhaps keeping it next to a calendar clock. You could also try keeping important items, such as keys or glasses, together in the same place.

Put them somewhere you can easily see them, not in a drawer or cupboard.

Having dementia doesn’t mean you should feel unwell. It’s important to try and stay healthy. Regular exercise and eating a balanced diet can help. If you smoke, try to stop or cut down. Arrange regular check-ups with your GP, as well as regular dental, sight and hearing checks.

Find out if you need any vaccines and see the doctor quickly if you feel unwell. Things such as pain, an infection or constipation may make you feel very confused if you don’t get help early on. You may experience depression or anxiety because of how your life is changing.

If this is the case, you may be prescribed antidepressant drugs and offered a talking therapy, such as counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Try to stay active and keep in touch with people.

This can help you to maintain your skills and memory, as well as improve your self-esteem, sleep and wellbeing

Symptoms of dementia can make it more difficult to eat and drink well. For some people it can mean a change in eating and drinking habits; medications can alter taste, reduce ability to recognise food or hunger which lessens appetite for meals. Feeling isolated and depressed also increases the risk of undernutrition and unplanned weight loss, both of which are underlying causes of declining health.

The Patients Association Nutrition Checklist identifies the potential risk of undernutrition in adults. It guides you to recognise the signs of when you may need help and shares links to information and support to help you meet your needs. For more personalised advice please speak to your GP.

Search Bucks Online Directory for local activities that help people with eating and drinking.

Wherever possible, keep doing what you enjoy, even if you have to do it a little differently. Ask an occupational therapist (a health professional who supports people to maintain everyday skills) for advice on activities you find difficult.

By joining the MedicAlert Safe and Found Programme, a dementia safeguarding initiative in partnership with Thames Valley Police, you can have additional peace of mind knowing that your medical ID will help identify you and your condition while you are out doing the activities that you love.

You can also take steps to make your home safer. Remove things that are easy to trip over and have carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms fitted. You could also get automatic timers for plugs, lights and heating. There are lots of ways technology can help you to live well.

These include smartphones and tablets, electronic medication reminders, locator devices that can help if you misplace things, automatic lights and ‘shut-off’ devices in case you forget to turn off the gas, oven or tap.

If you are living alone with dementia, you might face extra challenges. It can be harder to stay in touch with people and stay safe in your home. It’s important to ask friends and family for help and support, and to consider what changes you could make to your home to make it safe and supportive.

If you are living with dementia, you will be aware that there is a risk of becoming lost and being reported missing by your loved ones.

You, a family member or carer, can fill out a Herbert Protocol form, which will contain information to assist Thames Valley Police in finding you.

Keeping a completed form with your digital medical record means that, not only will Thames Valley Police have quick and easy access to this data, but it also removes the added worry of your loved ones needing to provide the information when they are already stressed.

Store your Herbert Protocol with MedicAlert.