How To Cope With Someone Who Has Dementia – Uses cookies to improve your experience and analyze the performance and traffic of our website. Privacy Policy
Coping with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia Receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another dementia can destroy your world. But with these steps, you can gain acceptance, face challenges and move on with your life.
How To Cope With Someone Who Has Dementia
“I thought my life was over.” “I knew about Alzheimer’s, but I never thought it could happen to me.”
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This feeling reflects the fear, disbelief and anxiety that many people experience after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia. It’s a life-changing experience and can be deeply upsetting—for you and your loved ones.
If you are diagnosed with dementia, you may feel anger, shock, fear of how your memory and personality may change in the future, or deep sadness and grief at the loss of the life you once knew. You may find that the diagnosis has a negative effect on your self-esteem or you feel stigmatized as others begin to treat you differently. You may also feel isolated, removed from even those closest to you who are unable to understand what you are going through. Denial or refusal to accept this is happening can also be common reactions. Some people even feel relieved after the diagnosis, happy to finally know what’s wrong and can plan ahead. Most likely, you will experience a mixture of these conflicting emotions – sometimes all at once. The emotional turmoil after a diagnosis can even cause depression or anxiety.
While it is true that there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, that does not mean that a diagnosis signals the end of your life or that you are powerless against the disease. There are treatments available for some symptoms and lifestyle changes can help slow the progression of the disease, delay the onset of more debilitating symptoms and maintain your lifestyle for longer.
We are all different and no two people will respond to a diagnosis of dementia in the same way. There is no “right” or “wrong” way to react, so don’t tell yourself what you should think or feel. Instead, give yourself time to process the news and transition to your new situation. You may feel like you’ve reached acceptance one day and then suddenly feel overwhelmed by difficult emotions the next. Allow yourself to grieve and adjust.
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Be kind to yourself. Alzheimer’s is not your fault and there is no reason to blame yourself. With time, you can get over the shock of the diagnosis and prepare for the challenges ahead.
Verify your identity. Having Alzheimer’s or another dementia does not have to define who you are as a person. You are still you, still the same person you were before the diagnosis. Follow those roles which
Allow yourself to feel. Unpleasant emotions exist whether you choose to accept them or not. Trying to ignore your feelings will only fuel your stress and delay acceptance of your new situation. However, by allowing yourself to feel your emotions, you will find that even the most intense, upsetting feelings will pass, the shock and anxiety will begin to fade, and you will be able to see the way forward. Try writing down your feelings, talking to someone about what you’re experiencing, or using the Emotional Intelligence Toolkit.
Learn all you can about the type of dementia you’ve been diagnosed with. Whether it’s Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, or another type of dementia, if you learn everything you can, you can better manage your symptoms and even help slow the progression of the disease.
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Look for early intervention. Because the symptoms of dementia can be caused by any number of conditions, it’s important to get an early, accurate diagnosis, especially if the symptoms appear suddenly. Conditions such as stroke, drug interactions, tumors and seizures must be treated immediately. Timely intervention can control or eliminate symptoms of other physical and psychological factors.
Set up your environment. You can help maintain your health and autonomy longer by taking simple precautions, such as eliminating trip hazards, increasing lighting, developing daily routines and leaving reminder notes where you need them most. Keep items you use every day in places that are easy to remember, such as keys on a hook by the door. Using phone apps, calendars, and alarms can also help you stay organized. As your needs change over time, planning and flexibility can help you stay one step ahead.
Although a diagnosis of dementia is one of the last things anyone wants to hear, now that you know what you’re up against, you can start taking steps to ensure you can live your life to the fullest for as long as possible. . .
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Receiving a dementia diagnosis can leave you feeling isolated and alone. You may feel cut off from friends and family who are unable to fully understand what you are going through. You may withdraw into your shell for fear of being a burden to others. Or maybe you even worry about how your relationships might change when people find out you have dementia. Although these concerns are natural, they are no reason to isolate yourself. During this difficult time, the love and support of others can have a huge impact on your mood and outlook.
Living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia is not easy, but there is help for this journey. Don’t wait for others to offer support; be proactive and reach out. The more support you have, the better you can manage your symptoms and continue to enrich your life.
Stay connected with family and friends. Maintaining your closest relationships and continuing to enjoy social activities can make a difference in your health and attitude. As we age, retirement, moving, and the loss of loved ones can often shrink our social networks, but it’s never too late to build new, meaningful friendships.
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Contact your local Alzheimer’s Association. There are Alzheimer’s organizations around the world that offer a variety of support programs for people with all types of dementia. Many can connect you with others facing the same challenges or with volunteers who can offer support, advice and companionship. Early social engagement programs, for example, can help you mingle with other people who have recently been diagnosed. See below for links.
Seek spiritual counsel. Religious leaders can offer true comfort to believers as well as constant social contact. Even people who do not regularly attend religious services may look to religion after a dementia diagnosis. If you are not religious, you may prefer to talk to a therapist or counselor.
While support from family and friends is crucial, choosing who to tell about your diagnosis is always a very personal decision. You may want to share it first with just your immediate family, for example, and then with a wider group of friends and acquaintances later. Whatever you decide is right for you, it’s important not to go it alone and not deny the people who care about you the opportunity to provide support.
It is also important to be prepared for a wide range of reactions. Just as you may have felt a combination of shock, anger, sadness and despair at the news of your diagnosis, people close to you may have similar reactions. Remember: you don’t have to cover everything at once. Your first conversation with loved ones will likely be just the beginning of an ongoing dialogue as you all learn more about the disease and the challenges you will face in the future.
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You may find that one of the hardest things about being diagnosed with dementia is the effect it can have on your relationships. As your independence diminishes, you may become more dependent on your spouse, children, or friends. You may lose your role as provider, financial decision maker or designated driver as others take on those responsibilities. Some older friends may even become withdrawn, and your diagnosis raises uncomfortable questions about their health.
Even when you’ve been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia, there’s still a lot you can do to slow its progress. The same healthy lifestyle changes and mental stimulation techniques used to prevent or delay the onset of dementia can also be effective in slowing the progression of the disease and maintaining your independence for longer.
1. Get moving. Regular exercise stimulates the brain’s ability to maintain old connections, create new ones and slow the deterioration of your cognitive abilities.
2. Reach out to others. The more you connect face-to-face with others, the more socially engaged you are, the better your cognitive function will be.
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3. Eat well. Eating a brain-healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, can help reduce inflammation, protect neurons, and promote better communication between brain cells.
4. Seek mental stimulation. By continuing to learn new things and challenge your brain, you can strengthen your cognitive abilities and stay mentally active for longer.
5. Improve your sleep. Getting quality sleep can flush toxins out of the brain and prevent the build-up of harmful plaque.
6. Manage
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