A life plan helps you stay focused on what gives life meaning right now – not ten years from now. It’s about this year; what you want to keep doing, what you’d like to try, and how you can make those things happen despite the challenges of young-onset dementia.
To help, you can use the My Life Plan worksheet to note your goals, barriers, and strategies, or the goal-setting and planning workbook developed by people with dementia through Alzheimer’s UK.
Step 1: Set your goals
Think about what you want life to look like this year–individually and together. Goals can be practical, social, or personal, and may relate to work, family hobbies, health, or independence.
Some example goals:
- Stay involved in work for as long as possible or explore flexible options
- Plan a short family holiday
- Keep fit enough to walk the dog or play with the kids
- Reconnect with old friends or join a social group
- Finish a personal project or renovation
- Review our legal and financial plans
Start small – choose 2-5 goals that feel realistic and meaningful. If you’re unsure, simply write down what’s important to you in life and shape your goals from there.
Step 2: Identify barriers
Barriers are the things that might get in the way of your goals, such as fatigue, changes in thinking and behaviour, physical health or mobility challenges, work stress, finances, or family responsibilities. They can also be emotional, like fear of how others will respond, or uncertainty about the future.
Some example barriers:
- Juggling work or childcare with medical appointments
- Feeling uncomfortable explaining the diagnosis to friends or colleagues
- Losing confidence about driving or travelling
- Managing financial stress or changes in income
- Finding it hard to do activities alone if the carer is working full-time
- Needing help to complete activities and tasks
List these barriers in your life plan so you can plan ways to address them.
Step 3: Find strategies to overcome barriers
Once you know what’s getting in the way, you can start working on solutions. Some ideas:
- Talk through your life plan with family, friends, or a support group
- Explore flexible work or volunteering options
- Ask your GP about a dementia care plan or chronic condition management plan
- Contact the Dementia Australia Helpline (1800 100 500) for advice and resources
- Look into respite, counselling, or community supports that give you both time to recharge
- Revisit the My Life Plan worksheet as things change – it’s meant to be flexible
Write a life plan for this year
A life plan is different from a care plan. A care plan is written by health professionals to guide treatment and services. A life plan is yours, written by you (and your family) to capture what matters, what’s working, and what you want next.
Writing your plan helps you:
- Maintain a sense of control and keep purpose in daily life
- Help others understand your goals and how to support them
- Adapt as circumstances change
Photo: Brett Jordan via Unsplash.
