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Facing Dementia

Section Four: What can you do?

There are many positive steps you can take to help yourself cope. The first thing to remember is that these changes are not going to happen suddenly. You will have time to adjust your lifestyle and to find help when you need it.

Here are some of the things that people with dementia have found most useful:

• Write things down. Make lists of what you need to do, keep a diary and get into the habit of checking it regularly, make notes of where things are. A weekly diary up on the wall can be useful.
• Decide where to keep important things like money, keys and glasses. Put them in the same place every time. Keep a note of where they are so that you can track them down.
• Make a routine for yourself. You may find it easier to keep track if you have a regular way of doing things and a particular time to do them.
• If you are taking medicine, ask your chemist about help with remembering to take it.
• Take care of yourself. Eat well, exercise regularly and make sure you take any medicines you are prescribed. You can still enjoy a drink, as long as you are sensible about it.
• Keep up your social life. See your friends, keep' going out. If a friend seems to find it hard to know what to say to you, don't let them drift away. Explain that you still need to see them, even if it is awkward at first for them.
• Take care of your mental health. Make sure that you have someone to talk to about your feelings about the illness. If you are depressed or have other worrying feelings or thoughts your doctor may be able to help.
• Be positive. Concentrate on the things you can do instead of things that have become too difficult.
• Tell people that you have a memory problem and don't be embarrassed to ask them to repeat or explain things.
• If you get frustrated when things aren't going well, blame the illness, not yourself.
• Don't be afraid of asking for help and taking it.
• Keeping to a routine can be helpful. You may find it easier to keep track if you have a regular way of doing things and a particular time to do them.

Summary

Write things down.

Keep important things in one place.

Make a routine for yourself.

Look after your body.

Keep up your social life.

Make sure you have someone to talk to.

Concentrate on what you can do.

Tell people you have a memory problem.

Blame the illness, not yourself.

Ask for help.