A dementia diagnosis is difficult and distressing for all those involved, not just the person receiving the news themselves.
The disease affects every member of the family and every loved one in different ways, so it’s important to ensure that everyone feels supported and that everyone feels heard.
September is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, so now is the perfect time to talk things through with friends and family, checking in with everyone to make sure that you’re all managing as best you can and that you seek additional sources of support if this is what you feel you need.
If you’re struggling at the moment, make sure that you don’t go it alone. A problem shared is a problem halved, after all, so find someone to talk to who understands what you’re going through. This could be a friend or family member, someone in a support group or even your GP or private nurse.
Bottling up how you feel will only make it worse and you could find that your own mental health starts to suffer if you don’t work through your feelings.
Taking regular breaks from your caring obligations and responsibilities is another way to make sure that you can continue to provide the appropriate level of support to your loved one.
Do not feel guilty for stepping back from time to time. It is entirely normal to feel happy and to focus on other areas of your life… in fact, it’s utterly essential to do so!
This is where our respite care service really comes into its own, allowing you to go out, prioritise other aspects of your life and gain some much-needed headspace without having to worry that your loved one won’t receive the high standards of care they need.
As for the person in your life receiving this life-changing diagnosis, do your best to see things from their perspective but also to help them focus on what they still have and what they’re still able to do, rather than what they may have lost.
Person-centred care is a must when faced with dementia, so aim to make sure that all the support you provide is sensitive to the person as an individual, focusing on what they’re feeling in the moment, rather than what they’re able to remember.
Practical strategies for support include setting up a system of prompts and reminders, digital and otherwise, making plans and important decisions well in advance, and setting up a lasting power of attorney for the future.
Focusing on lifestyle changes can also help people feel happier and more secure, so consider getting more exercise together, eating more healthily, cutting back on alcohol and quitting smoking.
Of course, this is just a quick guide to the support and strategies you could consider if a diagnosis of dementia has been given. If you’d like any further help, advice or information, get in touch with the Concept Care team today.
