Dementia is a huge subject that affects individuals and families on a very personal level. People often join the journey along the dementia pathway at the stage of a diagnosis of dementia for themselves or a family member or friend and it can be overwhelming. However, there are many resources available that offer real practical and emotional support, either directly or by signposting, and a vast quantity of information is available that can make an enormous difference to the quality of life of someone with dementia.
It is important to remember that at any stage of diagnosis, what can seem like a tiny piece of knowledge or insight can make a real difference to someone with dementia.
Here are some things to think about that may make a life enhancing difference to you or a family member.
Have more light - did you know that lighting is vitally important for those with dementia? People with dementia get confused and mistake what they are looking at if the light is poor.
Watch out for mirrors - People with dementia don’t immediately recognise their own face in a mirror and instead can see a stranger staring back at them, which is frightening and distressing.
Pat the dog - Communication with animals can be easier for people with dementia than communication with people, and stress –reducing.
Use different methods of communication - Playlist for Life is a wonderful charity promoting the benefits of music in the form of a meaningful ‘playlist’ of songs and pieces of music that can re-open channels of communication that had been lost, and almost miraculously bring back a person who had seemed to be drifting away.
Try different things - Use a Memory Book, or try massage or aromatherapy to communicate through touch. Be open to trying different things.
Take control of your future - Early diagnosis allows someone with dementia to take control of his or her future. Put in place a Power of Attorney appointing someone you know well and trust absolutely to look after your financial and welfare affairs should that become necessary, compile your own Playlist for Life to return to further down the road, think about your end of life wishes and tell your Attorney what you want to happen. Take control, and believe that you can do that.
Useful links: www.playlistforlife.org.uk www.dementiadog.org www.dementia.stir.ac.uk
