Living well with dementia

Around the house

When you’re living with dementia, it’s important to find ways of doing things that work for you. Sometimes, it can take a bit of trial and error to adapt. It’s OK if things you used to manage easily take a little longer. Here are a few tips to help you around the house: 

• Follow a routine. Doing things at the same time every day or week can stimulate your memory and be reassuring for you.
• Pin notes up. If there are things you need to do regularly, like lock the doors at night or put out the recycling, putting notes up in places that are easy to see can help remind you to do them.
• Carry a notebook. Writing down daily tasks and specific things you want to get done each day can help you stay independent for longer. 
• Keep things in the same place. Where possible, leave important things, like your glasses or keys, in the same place every time so that you know where to find them. 
• Consider getting a new clock. Some people with dementia find it helpful to have clocks with large numerals, or clocks that show the date and day of the week, as well as the time.

Looking after your health

Struggling to see or hear well can be very unsettling. It can lead to feeling isolated from what’s going on around you.
Having trouble with your teeth can make eating harder and less enjoyable.

It’s important to have these check-ups:

• Get your eyes tested. The NHS offer free eye tests for people over 60 every 2 years, or more often if needed.
• Get your hearing tested. Speak to your doctor about arranging a hearing test, or check whether your local audiology service accepts self-referrals. You may be able to get free hearing aids and batteries from the NHS. Some pharmacists and opticians also offer hearing tests for free, but you’d usually need to pay for any treatment after that.
• Have a regular dental check-up. Your dentist will let you know how often you need to be seen for a check-up depending on how healthy your teeth are.
• Try to maintain healthy habits. Eating a balanced diet, getting plenty of sleep, and doing regular, manageable exercise can help you look after your overall wellbeing.

Interacting with others

There are things you can try to make interacting with people more straightforward.

• Ask questions. if you don't understand or have forgotten what was said.
• Write down important contact details. Leave this list down by the phone so that they're easier to access.
• Stay in touch. A dementia diagnosis can feel isolating, but try to keep in touch with family and friends.
• Carry a helpcard. Keep this in your wallet or purse – you can use it to let people know you have dementia. Your helpcard contains basic personal information and contact details in case you need assistance or if there's an emergency. 
• Make sure others don't take over. They might think they're being helpful by doing as much as possible for you, but do what you can for as long as you can.

At work

• Tell your employer about your dementia diagnosis. If you're still working, it's a good idea to tell your employer about your diagnosis so they can help to you continue working. They have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to help you to continue working. This could include changing your work schedule, simplifying your routine, or using technology such as a computerised diary to remind you of deadlines and meetings. 
• Get financial advice. If you decide to stop working, get financial advice on your pension and any benefits you may eligible for first. 

If you're in the armed forces, work on a plane or ship, or your job involves driving, you must tell your employer if you're diagnosed with dementia. 

Out and about

Dementia doesn't necessarily mean you can no longer travel or go places you used to. Here are some things to think about when getting out and about: 

• Tell the DVLA. If you drive, you must tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and your insurance company about your dementia diagnosis. You may not have to stop driving straight away. If they decide you can continue driving they'll review this decision, usually after a year.
• Think about your holidays. When booking a holiday think about whether you want to travel to somewhere new or somewhere familiar. There are specialist companies, like Dementia Adventure, that offer package holidays for people with dementia. Click here to visit Dementia Adventure's website.
• Try to stay active. Physical activity isn't just good for you – it can also improve your mood and lift your spirits. Walking, swimming, dancing and gentle exercise classes are all good options. If these kinds of activity are difficult for you to do, you can also try some simple chair-based exercises that you can add to your daily routine.
• Get help with the things you enjoy. A dementia diagnosis doesn't have to mean that you stop doing things you enjoy doing. For example, if you like gardening, but you're finding it harder than you used to, you can get in touch with Thrive. They offer advice on practical solutions, such as choosing specially adapted tools, to make gardening easier.

Keeping engaged and active

There’s lots you can do to make the most of every day. Socialising can help stop you from becoming isolated. If you have hobbies, it’s good to keep them going – or you could try something new like gardening or volunteering.

• Listen to music and the radio. Listening to music or to the radio can have a calming effect and can bring back fond memories. It's also easier to concentrate on than television, which can be helpful for someone with dementia. You could try using playlists to help with certain moods or memories. 
• Try short stories or newspapers. If it's getting harder to follow the storylines in books, try reading short stories or newspaper articles. Keep doing crosswords and Sudoku puzzles if you enjoy them, and don't worry if it takes you longer to complete them or if you need to switch to an easier version.
• Adapt recipes to suit you. If you're finding it harder to manage the recipes you used to use, try to adapt them to suit you. For example, if you find it difficult to concentrate on a recipe with lots of different steps, look for a shorter one.
• Get involved with volunteering. Think about the kinds of things you like doing, what you’re good at, and what kind sort of organisation you might want to help. You could ask at your place of worship or faith group, your favourite charity, or at a charity shop. It’s important to be open about your diagnosis so you can find the best role for you.
• Use adapted tools for Gardening. Getting outside can raise your spirits. If you’re finding gardening harder than you used to, contact Thrive for advice on practical solutions, such as choosing specially adapted tools. You can also attend Thrive gardening projects.