Improving Quality of Life Living with Dementia

Dementia affects all aspects of a person’s life, along with those around them. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed recently and you’re wondering how to come to terms with it, focusing on things you can still do may help. A dementia diagnosis can mean one thing for one person, and something completely different for someone else.

One of the most important things to remember when dealing with dementia is that you can still live a fulfilling and happy lifestyle. Knowing how to improve your quality of life while living with the disease is vital, and that’s what we’ll be focusing on today.

Things to remember when living well with dementia

Dementia is a progressive condition that affects how the brain functions, leading to memory loss, difficulty thinking and behavioural changes. A dementia diagnosis may often lead to depression or anxiety surrounding the future, especially if the person diagnosed worries they’ll lose their sense of self.

Even with a dementia diagnosis, it is important to remember that you are still yourself. Memory and concentration may change over time, but who you are does not. Dementia affects everyone differently, so focusing on what you can still do and the activities you enjoy is a positive way to stay motivated and maintain your sense of self.

To live life to the fullest through your diagnosis, a strong support system is vital. With the right people and assistance around you, you can live well with dementia for many years to come.

Download our dementia fact sheet to learn more about dementia and how a professional carer can help.

Staying socially active with dementia

An active social life can’t be overstated when it comes to dementia, as keeping in touch with friends and family is an effective confidence and mental well-being booster. Spending time with loved ones could include partaking in dementia-friendly activities you both enjoy, such as going to the cinema or theatre, or something simpler, like having a coffee at home.

If you find that your loved ones are often busy when you’re at your most energetic, joining a local walking or craft group lets you meet new people while still benefiting from a good social life.

Many places and organisations are dementia-friendly, so there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy things you used to. For example, many cinemas organise dementia-friendly screenings for the latest films, and some establishments call themselves ‘dementia cafes’ or ‘memory cafes’ to show that they’re accommodating of your condition.

Looking after your health

Looking after your physical and mental health is incredibly important when boosting quality of life after a dementia diagnosis. To do this, make sure you:

Eat a healthy, balanced diet and know the best foods for people with dementia
Keep hydrated with lots of clear fluids
Exercise regularly, such as gentle gardening, walking, tai chi or dancing
Get enough sleep at night time, avoiding naps where possible, to prevent further sleep issues
Have regular dental, eyesight and hearing check-ups, as these can deteriorate with age and increase the risk of falling
If you have a long-term condition, such as diabetes, have a review of the medication you’re taking with your GP to make sure it’s still safe to use

Minor illnesses can make people with dementia feel very confused if not treated properly, so it’s recommended that you talk to your GP whenever you begin feeling unwell. They may recommend you have yearly vaccinations to pre-empt illnesses like the flu and pneumonia. It’s also vital that you talk to them if you feel depressed or anxious, as these are common by-products of dementia and can negatively impact your quality of life.

Coping with your diagnosis

Coping with a dementia diagnosis is often easier said than done, especially when signs and symptoms begin appearing. Knowing how to cope with dementia can have a huge impact on quality of life, letting you thrive despite an uncertain future.

To help you cope with your dementia, here are some tips on how to cope moving forward:

Keep a regular routine: Knowing what’s coming next in day-to-day life avoids unnecessary confusion and stress.
Leave yourself reminders: Put a weekly timetable on your fridge or wall, and schedule activities for when you have the most energy.
Keep important belongings in safe places: Designate a specific place for keys, phone chargers and remote controls, writing down where they belong in case you forget.
Write important details in a designated notebook: Keep one notebook for relevant information, such as medications, important phone numbers and emergency plans, so you can access it if you’re feeling confused.
Set up direct debits: Utilise direct debits to ensure you never forget to pay your bills.
Use a pill organiser: A pill organiser tells you whether you’re up to date with medications or not, so use one if you’re worried about missing doses.

Remaining independent with dementia

Many people worry about a loss of independence after being diagnosed with dementia. It’s important to remember that you can still live at home and care for yourself while symptoms are mild, so you don’t necessarily need to worry about this right now. However, having a plan for the future can alleviate stress and anxiety.

To foster your independence, consider these practical tips:

Utilise technology to assist you

Advances in technology mean there are plenty of products and services available to help you as your dementia symptoms progress. Examples of assistive technology could include:

Monitoring systems: Otherwise known as telecare, this technology can keep you safe. These devices include portable alarms to notify loved ones when you need assistance, movement sensors and smoke or carbon monoxide detectors.
Daily living aids: Clocks showing the day and date, reminder devices, telephones with big buttons and music players with easy-to-use controls all allow you to remain independent and live well while honouring your extra requirements.
Smartphones: Many people with dementia find using apps helpful on their smartphones and tablets, including for alarms, notes and reminders. There are also plenty of apps specifically designed to be dementia-friendly, like games, digital photobooks and reminiscence aids.

Research whether you can continue driving

People who’ve been diagnosed with dementia are legally required to let the DVLA and their insurance company know. However, this doesn’t mean you’ll need to stop driving immediately. Plenty of people continue driving while their symptoms are mild, only stopping when it becomes too unsafe or stressful.

The DLVA will ask for medical information and details about your dementia to determine whether you can continue driving. This may include a special driving assessment.

Working and benefits available

If you’re still working when you receive your diagnosis, you may be concerned about how you’re going to support yourself. Some jobs require you to tell them as soon as you receive your diagnosis, while others may allow you to come to terms with it before letting them know.

You don’t necessarily have to stop working just because you’ve been diagnosed with dementia. Speak to your employer about adjustments that can be made to help, like:

Changes to working hours
Looser schedules for meetings
A different role to make your job less stressful and demanding

The Equality Act 2010 states that your employer has to make reasonable adjustments to help you do your job. This lets you stay physically and financially independent for longer.

However, as your symptoms progress, you may find working too strenuous despite the implemented changes. If this is the case, benefits for people affected by dementia may help keep you independent. These include:

Making sure your home is dementia-friendly and safe

There are several ways to make your home safe, including making minor changes to the layout, systems and decor. To create a dementia-friendly home, consider the following adjustments:

Replace lightbulbs with brighter alternatives and add motion-sensor lights throughout the home, aiming to keep the lighting as bright and natural as possible.
Reduce excess noise by adding carpets, cushions and curtains.
Avoid rugs and mats that look like obstacles when you’re feeling confused. These can lead to falls and injuries.
Choose contrasting colours wherever possible, so you can tell the difference between furniture and the walls or flooring. Paint doors bright colours and use patterned plates that are easy to see.
Remove mirrors if you find yourself becoming distressed about not recognising your reflection.
Label things around the home, such as doors to the kitchen and bathroom, cupboards and drawers. Leave little notes around the house to remind you of important things, or buy a whiteboard to list your routine or daily household tasks.
Replace things with dementia-friendly alternatives, like clocks with LCD displays, big button phones and reminder devices.

Don’t change anything big in your home overnight, as this can leave you feeling distressed. Make small changes to make your home more dementia-friendly over time so you can get used to them instead of waking up and feeling like you’re in someone else’s house.

Knowing when to get extra support

Wanting to stay at home after your diagnosis is normal, and a common reason you may be putting off researching care options. However, extra support from a trained live-in or visiting carer can improve quality of life by fostering independence and maintaining your dignity as symptoms progress.

A professional carer can support someone with dementia in many ways, including:

Practical support: A carer will offer personal care, medication management, meal preparation and light housekeeping to help alleviate these responsibilities from you.
Safety around the home: They can remove hazards, install safety equipment and support you moving from room to room while minimising your fall risk.
Emotional support: A carer provides companionship by actively listening to you and helping you build a strong support system.
Maintaining social connections: They’ll encourage you to maintain an active social life, help with transport to and from activities and schedule days out with loved ones.

Knowing when to seek extra support can ensure you get the best care possible throughout your diagnosis, improving your quality of life for longer despite symptoms progressing. Remember, you don’t have to do it all on your own – asking for and accepting help means you don’t have to shoulder the burden alone.

How Trinity Homecare can help

At Trinity Homecare, we know how daunting it can be to plan life around a dementia diagnosis. We’re committed to providing exceptional dementia care to our clients, matching them with a fully trained and compassionate carer to deliver as much support as necessary. Your carer will stay with you for as long as you need them, adapting your dementia care plan and maintaining a sense of security as symptoms progress.

The care we provide includes:

One-to-one support at home
Completely bespoke live-in care that has been tailored to you
Specialist care for a number of different circumstances
Home carers carefully matched to your needs
CQC rated ‘Outstanding’ live-in care services

Our carers are committed to improving quality of life by fostering independence, maintaining dignity and keeping your routine as normal as possible, for as long as possible. We’ll also help your loved ones as they navigate your diagnosis, so the entire family feels supported and confident as we embrace the future.

Talk to us today

If your loved one requires home care, chat with one of our friendly care team today. We offer a free, no-obligation enquiry and assessment service and are happy to offer information and advice to help you find the perfect home care solution.

Call us on 020 4572 5583 in confidence for a free no obligation quotation. If enquiring outside of our opening hours, please complete our online form and we will contact you the next day.