Early stages of dementia and staying independent
If you have a dementia, it's important to think about your independence. Keeping active and looking after your health and wellbeing can help you stay independent.
Staying independent
If you are living with a dementia, you shouldn’t stop doing what you enjoy in life.
You should try to stay as independent as possible and continue to enjoy your usual activities.
If you have been diagnosed with a dementia, or you are caring for someone with the condition, advice and support is available to help you live well.
Your GP, Health and Social Care Services and voluntary organisations can give you advice and support.
The symptoms of dementia usually get worse over time. How fast this happens depends on:
- your general health
- the type of dementia you have
Looking after your health
Living a healthy lifestyle is important for everyone, including people living with a dementia.
Eating well and keeping active are important for good health.
Changes in eating habits can occur, particularly if someone with a dementia is struggling to find the words to ask for food, which can result in weight loss and poor nutrition.
Self-care
Self-care involves looking after your own health and wellbeing, with support from those involved in your care.
This includes:
- taking care of your physical and mental health
- avoiding illness or accidents
- effective care of minor illnesses and long-term conditions
Self-care with support can ease anxiety and help you be more active and independent.
Maintaining a social life
It’s easy to feel isolated and alone if you or someone you care for has a dementia.
Keeping in contact with others is good for people with a dementia. It can help them keep active and stimulated.
Some people find it difficult to talk about their own or a family member’s dementia.
If a friend or family member finds it hard to talk to you, make the first move. It can help if you explain that you still need to see them and may need their support.
You may also find it helpful to join a local group of people with dementia and their families, where you can get advice from others who are going through, or have been through, similar situations.
Keeping active and occupied
People with a dementia should continue to enjoy their hobbies and interests as much as possible.
These activities may keep them alert and stimulated, so they stay interested in life.
If you are living with a dementia:
- keeping contact with friends and family is important
- activities, like walking or meeting your friends, can help you feel positive and motivated
- your activities and hobbies may change as the condition progresses, however, you can and should continue to enjoy your activities
- you may find it helpful to join a local group of people living with the condition and their families, to share and explore new activities and support
Living at home with dementia
In the early stages of dementia, many people are able to go about their daily lives in the same way as before their diagnosis.
As the condition progresses, it is likely that help will be needed. It’s better to get this help in place early.
Key things can include help with:
- housework
- shopping
- garden
- adapting a home, to help increase safety, mobility and independence
Talk to family, friends and health professionals about how they can help you to stay independent.
Tips to stay independent
If you have a dementia, these tips may help you stay independent:
- keep a diary and write down things you want to remember
- pin a weekly timetable to the wall
- put your keys in an obvious place, such as a large bowl in the hall
- have a daily newspaper delivered to remind you of the date and day
- put labels on cupboards or drawers
- place helpful telephone numbers by the phone
- write reminders to yourself, for example, put a note on the front door to take your keys
- programme people’s names and numbers into your phone
- install safety devices, such as gas detectors and smoke alarms
- put bills on direct debits, so you don't forget to pay them
- use a pill organiser box to help you remember which medications to take and when
Help and support
You can find further information on dementia and support services available at the link below: