Dementia affects all aspects of a person’s life as well as their families. If you are diagnosed with dementia or if someone you care about is living with dementia, remember that there is support available out there for everyone. Just because you are diagnosed with dementia doesn’t mean your life has come at a standstill. One must continue living with dementia just the way they used to before it. You don’t need to miss out on enjoying life and its little things. Here are some tips you need to remember while you are diagnosed with and are living with dementia:
Health is always a priority
While living with dementia or not, health is a priority that cannot be neglected. It is important to follow a healthy lifestyle, and it is also the best way to protect yourself from any diseases. Eating well and exercising is a must and shouldn’t be taken lightly or neglected. There can be changes in the eating habits that can occur if one is particularly finding it difficult to remember what they want to eat or to ask for food. Hence, it is necessary to take care of your health and have proper nutrition.
Combat your sleep problems
People with dementia often experience disturbed sleep. People may be restless or wake up in the middle of the night. As the illness progresses, these problems tend to get worse. Living with dementia can be difficult when people are diagnosed with painful illnesses like arthritis, etc. These diseases further add to your sleep problem. Some medications can cause interference with sleep during the night and make you feel sleepy during the day. One can use sleeping pills after consulting your doctor that might help get better sleep in the night.
Maintain a social life
It is important to continue socializing while living with dementia. It is easy to feel isolated and alone after being diagnosed with dementia; however, being active is important. Maintain your social life and keep in touch with your contacts is a great way to go. You can also prefer to join social groups with people who are diagnosed with dementia and their families as well. These groups help a lot as you can share your insights, gain experience, and times with others as well.
Managing your mood swings
It is normal to experience mood swings when suffering from dementia. You can feel sad or angry or even angry, scared, or frustrated at times as the disease progresses. If you or anyone whom you love is diagnosed with dementia, it can be difficult to stay positive. One thing you need to remember is that you are not alone and that support is always available. Whatever you are going through, talk to someone and open up about it. It could be anyone from a family member to a friend or a member of your local groups, or you can also contact a counselor.
Self-care is must
Taking care of yourself is an integral part of daily life. Self-care includes all the actions that you take in your day-to-day life to maintain and improve your fitness level, physical and mental health, and prevent illness and accidents. Self-care also includes taking effective care of minor and major ailments. Self-care leads to a better quality of life overall and helps you to feel good about yourself mentally and physically.
