If you or a loved one have recently been diagnosed with Dementia, then you may well feel like you are riding a rollercoaster of emotions right now; your mind working overtime with questions and concerns.
First things first. STOP. Take a step back. A deep breath. Give yourself the time and space to think. You might even find it useful to put pen to paper. Write down how you are feeling, jot down all the questions that are buzzing, the important questions you want and need answers to. And take the time to learn as much as you can about dementia, its treatments, any considerations that will need to be made for the future, the services and support that’s out there and available to you, but also, and most importantly to many, try to continue to live your life as well as you possibly can - stay positive, enjoy life and focus on the things that are important to you personally; friends, family, hobbies for example - all the things you are still able to do.
As far as possible, enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle, stay connected with friends and family, look after your wellbeing, and make sure you are well rested.
It is also important to prepare yourself for the fact that, yes, certain aspects of your life will change over time, so make sure you talk to openly and honestly with family and friends; those who will there support you. Discuss your diagnosis, what it means to you, how you are feeling and the help you may need, whether now or in the future. Encourage them to learn about dementia, to understand the disease, what to expect and what they can do to help.
Communication may become harder and sometimes frustrating – you may struggle to find right words or find yourself repeating yourself, having difficulty understanding others and a sense of confusion. Talk through any problems you are facing, and if some days are better than other, use those days to speak about your wants and needs – and never worry about asking for help, support is out there, and advice can certainly be sought on steps that can be put in place to help you navigate your way.
Making your home safer (read our previous blog regarding falls in the home) and consider putting measures in place for when you encounter memory problems - if those annoying housekeys keep mislaying themselves more often than usual for example.
Consider a dedicated space to keep important items such as keys, phones, a list of contacts and their numbers and medication for example. Choose somewhere visible - a ‘one place fits all’ space – and technology can come in useful too. Smartphones, tablets, locator devises and virtual assistants such as Alexa can aid with lists, medication reminders, etc.
As a disease, Demetia does not make you feel physical ill, but illness and infections can make it worse. Regular check-ups with health professionals – your doctor, dentist, optician – and if you find yourself feeling stressed and anxious, it may be a sign of depression. Be mindful and if you have any concerns seek help.
At Pure Heart Homecare, our team of experienced and highly trained support workers can provide the highest quality of dementia care to both patients and their families.
We believe that a person suffering from dementia should be able to stay at home in their familiar surrounding for as long as possible, and our aim is to make our Service User feel comfortable and happy in their surroundings by providing continuity of routine, companionship, personal care, and support to relatives.
Caring for someone with dementia can be challenging and stressful, but we have
Support Workers who are available day and night to help individuals and their loved ones live happy independent and fulfilling lives.