The sections below contain information, tools and helpful strategies used by people with dementia. Take action to live well after diagnosis.
Chapter One
People with dementia can learn more about the condition to better adapt.
Knowledge is power. Understand your symptoms, treatment options, and take steps to adjust to life with dementia
Understand your type of dementia so you can adjust
Your doctor can advise you on treatments and lifestyle
Some people prefer to have as much information as possible, and others prefer to focus on what they need to know right now. Choose what information you need, and in what form
Have hope! You can adjust to dementia and continue living your life
Don’t be trapped by stereotypes of dementia
For many people, meeting others living with dementia was a turning point in finding hope
Some people want to know everything about dementia including what will happen in the future. Others don’t want to think about the future yet. Read this page when you’re ready
Many people with dementia are concerned about whether it is a genetic disease, and whether their children or grandchildren are more likely to get dementia
Chapter Two
People with dementia can understand and process their feelings.
Managing your feelings is a key step in moving forward with dementia
If you’ve just been diagnosed, the idea of having dementia can often be more disabling than your current symptoms of dementia
Counselling, support groups and advisors can help you come to terms with diagnosis
Be confident and positive, you are not your dementia
Techniques to boost self-image and challenge self-stigma
Get treatments for your mental health
Your diagnosis affects others. Share your diagnosis and move forward with dementia together
You are in control of who you tell your diagnosis to, how you tell them, and when you tell them
Start by telling the people you feel closest to
Share your dementia diagnosis with other health professionals and be assertive about getting therapy and services
Depending on your work role, you may be able to continue working or make adjustments to your role
Strategies for when others treat you differently because you have dementia
Be assertive telling others how you do and don’t want to be treated
Chapter Three
Strategies for people with dementia to manage symptoms and changes.
Live a meaningful life with dementia with the help of strategies and therapies
Memory and thinking difficulties are common to dementia, but don’t have to define your life
Some medications may be useful to manage memory and thinking in dementia
Cognitive stimulation, cognitive training and cognitive rehabilitation
Dementia makes it harder to learn new things, but you can learn and develop new habits
Sometimes dementia damages the part of the brain that interprets information from the senses
When people are told they have dementia, they often worry about whether they will be allowed to drive, or whether they should still drive
If you can no longer drive, there are government programs, taxi subsidies and community transport options
It’s often harder to get out of the house and do things with dementia
People with dementia share their strategies to overcome difficulties when out and about
At dementia friendly groups or activities, people are more accepting of your symptoms
Therapies can help you undertake day-to-day activities and maintain your independence
People with dementia share their strategies to overcome difficulties around home
Even small changes in your home can help you function more independently and keep you safer
Cleaners, gardeners and handymen can do jobs that might be difficult or dangerous for you
Chapter Four
For people with dementia: Improve your physical and emotional health.
Keep physically healthy to improve your quality of life
Exercise can help improve or maintain memory, thinking and daily function as well as help prevent falls
Try to eat fresh, healthy food which includes lots of fruits and vegetables. Your brain will work best with this fuel
With dementia, even doing usual activities can be mentally tiring
If your overall health is well managed, your brain health will benefit
There is a strong link between your mental health, mood and how well your brain is working
People with dementia can grow new brain cells and neural connections
Keep spending time with old friends and make new ones
A local group or club is a great way of socialising and meeting new people
Chapter Five
For people with dementia: Plan for now and the future.
Make a life plan and put it into action so you can keep doing the things that matter to you
Once you have your life plan, put it into action. Things won’t always go to plan, so adjust and adapt along the way
Services can help you maintain independence and provide practical and emotional support to improve your wellbeing
Talking to your family means that they know what your future wishes are
Organising wills, enduring power of attorney, enduring guardianship and an advance care plan ensures your wishes will be undertaken in the future
Put financial plans in place so you can be involved in decisions about future care needs
Downloads
Access worksheets, discussion primers and more.
Search for answers
Learn from others
Read stories of real people who have experienced a dementia diagnosis.
Stories
The dementia diagnosis was a shock to them both. Maeve and Kerrie talked at length about their future and the best way forward.
Stories
I encourage others living with dementia, or caring for someone with dementia to consider becoming an advocate and undertake Dementia Advocate Training through Dementia Australia.
Stories
Pets as therapy and assistance animals for people living with dementia.
