Dementia Australia | The Dementia Guide

More documents

Recommendations

Info

A positive outlook "If you can’t change your fate, change your attitude." Amy Tan Living with dementia is challenging and you may feel angry or frustrated about what is happening to you. Your plans for the future might change, but dementia doesn’t change who you are. It doesn’t mean that you need to stop doing the things you enjoy, but you might have to do them in a different way. There are some practical things you can do to help you live as well as possible following a diagnosis of dementia. Focus on the things you can and want to do, and try not to become isolated. Keeping busy with activities you enjoy and staying socially connected with friends and family may help you to feel more confident. To discover some examples of measures that have helped people with dementia to live happy and fulfilled lives, visit livingwellwithdementia.org.au 54 Call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500
Living well 4 Coping with changes The changes that occur with dementia can be frustrating, distressing and may undermine your confidence. You will probably notice changes in your abilities to do the things you usually do. When you or your family and friends notice these changes, it is time to adapt your daily routine. Changes might include memory loss, problems with thinking and planning, difficulties communicating, confusion about time or place, sight and visual difficulties, apathy and withdrawal. There are lots of practical things you can do to help you cope with these changes: • Keep a notebook or large diary. Write down things you want to remember, such as names, phone numbers, social engagements or appointments. Keep the diary next to something you use a lot like the kettle or phone, so that you get used to referring to it. • Consider writing down important ideas and information. This can provide a helpful memory aid. Written information can be easily shared with others. • Consider positioning a whiteboard in a prominent place to record and display important information. • Put labels or pictures on cupboards to remind you where things are. • Reduce clutter around the home to make things easier to find. • Place useful telephone numbers by the phone. • If you find it helps, put a note on the door or by your bed to remind yourself to lock up at night. • Ask your pharmacist about putting your pills in a dosage box or pack with the days of the week marked. • Consider using a medication or pill box timer to help remind you when to take your medication. • Keep a note of your address, family contact details and written instructions explaining how to get home, whenever you go out. Living well For more information visit dementia.org.au 55
Page 3 and 4:
About this guide This guide is for
Page 5: Support You will find Dementia Aust
Page 8 and 9: Acknowledgements Dementia Australia
Page 10 and 11: 8 Call the National Dementia Helpli
Page 13 and 14: About dementia 1 1 About dementia I
Page 15 and 16: About dementia 1 There are also som
Page 17 and 18: About dementia 1 Difficulty thinkin
Page 19 and 20: About dementia 1 Dementia can somet
Page 21 and 22: About dementia 1 Strokes happen whe
Page 23 and 24: About dementia 1 It is caused by da
Page 25 and 26: About dementia 1 In some cases, you
Page 27 and 28: About dementia 1 Mild cognitive imp
Page 29 and 30: Understanding your diagnosis 2 2 Un
Page 31 and 32: Understanding your diagnosis 2 You
Page 33 and 34: Understanding your diagnosis 2 Feel
Page 35 and 36: Understanding your diagnosis 2 Shar
Page 37 and 38: Treatments 3 3 Treatments In this p
Page 39 and 40: Treatments 3 A number of drugs have
Page 41 and 42: Treatments 3 Ask about the support
Page 43 and 44: Treatments 3 A social worker can pr
Page 45 and 46: Treatments 3 All drug treatment inf
Page 47 and 48: Treatments 3 Other dementias Lewy b
Page 49 and 50: Treatments 3 Counselling can also b
Page 51 and 52: Treatments 3 Drug treatments Drugs
Page 53 and 54: Living well 4 4 Living well In this
Page 55: Living well 4 self-esteem, sleep an
Page 59 and 60: Living well 4 Daily coping strategi
Page 61 and 62: Living well 4 • Ensure personal i
Page 63 and 64: Living well 4 Falls Some people wit
Page 65 and 66: Living well 4 Keeping safe when you
Page 67 and 68: Living well 4 “As carer for my hu
Page 69 and 70: Living well 4 • If you enjoy havi
Page 71 and 72: Living well 4 Effective communicati
Page 73 and 74: Living well 4 Role changes Many peo
Page 75 and 76: Living well 4 Things to consider
Page 77 and 78: Planning for the future 5 5 Plannin
Page 79 and 80: Planning for the future 5 To have a
Page 81 and 82: Planning for the future 5 If you ne
Page 83 and 84: Planning for the future 5 Working S
Page 85 and 86: Planning for the future 5 After lea
Page 87 and 88: Planning for the future 5 If you ha
Page 89 and 90: Planning for the future 5 Advance c
Page 91 and 92: Support and services for people wit
Page 99 and 100: For more information visit dementia
Page 101 and 102: Support for carers 7 7 Support for
Page 103 and 104: Support for carers 7 There are prac
Page 105 and 106: Support for carers 7 There is advic
Page 107 and 108:
Support for carers 7 Victorian Supp
Page 109 and 110:
Support for carers 7 Nutrition For
Page 111 and 112:
Support for carers 7 Changes in beh
Page 113 and 114:
Support for carers 7 • providing
Page 115 and 116:
Residential care 8 8 Residential ca
Page 117 and 118:
Residential care 8 It is important
Page 119 and 120:
Residential care 8 Assessment The A
Page 121 and 122:
Residential care 8 A useful resourc
Page 123 and 124:
Residential care 8 Communication As
Page 125 and 126:
Residential care 8 The process Appl
Page 127 and 128:
Residential care 8 Support Support
Page 129 and 130:
Residential care 8 Things to consid
Page 131 and 132:
End of life issues 9 9 End of life
Page 133 and 134:
End of life issues 9 When a person
Page 135 and 136:
End of life issues 9 Pain There is
Page 137 and 138:
End of life issues 9 Professional h
Page 139 and 140:
For more information visit dementia
Page 141 and 142:
Dementia Australia 10 10 Dementia A
Page 143 and 144:
Dementia Australia 10 Information D
Page 145 and 146:
Dementia Australia 10 Living With D
Page 147 and 148:
For more information visit dementia
Page 149 and 150:
12 Keep in touch Dementia Australia
show all

Dementia Australia | The Dementia Guide

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?