Living well with dementia
If you've been diagnosed with a type of dementia or cognitive decline it's important to remember that everyone experiences dementia differently and that there are so many strengths and skills you still have, even if your memory, thinking or behaviors are changing because of the disease. We may not be able to cure or slow down the disease yet, but symptoms can be treated and you can continue to lead a happy, healthy life!
- Eat a healthy diet and be sure to stay hydrated.
- Exercise regularly. This can be simply walking around your house and doing standard housework, gardening, dancing or tai chi.
- Be sure to get enough sleep. Avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol in the evenings.
- Keep up with your health screenings including dental, eyesight and hearing check-ups.
- If you have any other chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease, be sure to let your provider know of your diagnosis and keep up your regular visits with them. They may need to review the medications you are on.
Helpful resources:
It is important to continue being as socially active as you were before your diagnosis. Keep in touch with your friends, family and community or try something new like a walking group or choir. Staying social will help with your confidence and keep your brain active. There are support groups specifically for those living with dementia and participants are typically in the early stages of dementia like you. You may find these helpful and even make some new friends.
Helpful resources:
- ALZConnected
- Dementia Action Alliance
- Living well with dementia
- Staying connected to the people who matter to you after a dementia diagnosis
- Taking care of yourself
- Tips for keeping active and involved when you have dementia
Ways to stay socially active in Utah:
- Ballet West “Senior Steps” program
- Community Choirs across the Wasatch Font
- Gleeful Choir and dementia friendly activities by Jewish Family Services
- Memory care kits at the Salt Lake Library
- Memory Matters (St. George area)
- Music and memory
- Music in Motion
- New Horizons International Music Association
- Now Playing Utah!
- Statewide event calendar
- Utah Symphony Finishing Touches Series
When you're ready, it's important to tell others about your diagnosis. Let your family, friends and neighbors know. With this knowledge comes understanding, compassion and confidence from those you hold dear. Help others understand what support you need or want and with those closest to you use them as a sounding board to ask for help, discuss your wishes, concerns or thoughts. You have a support network, let's help you find it.
Helpful resources:
- Keep your regular routine.
- Keep a list of important phone numbers close to your phone or in an obvious place such as on your fridge.
- Use a pill organizer or have your medications packaged by your pharmacy to help you know when and what to take.
- If you are going to continue to drive (which many do for years after initial diagnosis, this is up to you and your family), be mindful that if you start getting lost or losing time while driving, you may need to decide to stop. Safety first.
- Don't hesitate to ask for help or support. Keep a list of tasks you need to do, circle those you'd like to continue doing yourself and ask people in your care network to help with the others.
- Plan ahead. A dementia diagnosis doesn't change this. No matter your age, make plans for your future and talk about them with those closest to you.
- Ask yourself these questions- What type of medical care do you want as the disease progresses? How can your family talk to you about questions or concerns? When should you stop driving? Who do you want to be a part of your care team?
Helpful resources:
- Advance care planning
- ALZConnected online community
- Building a care team
- Dementia Action Alliance
- Dementia and driving
- Living well with dementia
- Planning after a dementia diagnosis
- SHARE for dementia
Dementia can affect people of all ages. Those with younger onset dementias can face unique challenges when it comes to finances, family, care, support, and resources. Below you will find resources specific to people diagnosed with a form of dementia who is younger than 65.
Helpful resources: