Dementia

Memory problems

People with dementia may find it difficult to retain new information. They may struggle with names, or not quite recognise a familiar face. Often, relatives may be the first to notice when their loved one is becoming more forgetful. It is worth remembering that we can all be forgetful from time to time, and it can happen to all of us. It is normal for your memory to be affected if you are tired, unwell, stressed, or taking certain medications. However, if your memory problems are starting to affect your daily life, you should seek help from your GP.

Cognitive ability

People with dementia may experience difficulty with time and place. They may find shopping more difficult when it comes to choosing items and paying for them. They may also find they experience problems with movement.

Communication ability and social changes

Someone with dementia may find it difficult to choose the right words, experience changes in personality and mood, become more withdrawn or uninterested in their usual social activity. They may find it more difficult to follow or engage in conversation.

Later stage symptoms

• Further decline in memory – close family or friends may not be recognised. Someone may forget where they live or where they are in a particular moment.
• Communication problems – Speech may become difficult and some people may lose the ability to speak altogether. Family and friends of those suffering with dementia may wish to use non-verbal means of communication, such as facial expressions, touch or gestures.
• Decline in mobility – some may become unable to walk without aid. Some may lose the ability to walk and be confined to a bed or a wheelchair.
• Behavioural changes – A large number of people diagnosed with dementia will experience further behavioural changes. This might include an increase in feelings of agitation, anxiety, aggression and they may also start to display depressive symptoms. They may start to wander around. Some people also experience hallucinations which can be frightening.
• Incontinence – Some lose the ability to control their bladder or bowel.
• Appetite – A decline in appetite can lead to weight loss and both of these things are common if a person is suffering with advanced dementia. This can lead to choking, chest infections and other problems. You can find out more about nutrition and dementia by clicking here.

There’s currently no accepted preventative medicine for dementia, but researchers are still investigating the disease and researching how it develops. There is, however, good evidence that suggests a healthy lifestyle may help reduce risk of developing dementia at a later stage in life. Healthy living can also help reduce risks of stroke or heart attack; and these problems are risk factors for certain types of dementia on their own. Things you can do to keep your risk lower include:

• Eating a healthy, balanced diet
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Staying active and exercising regularly
• Keeping alcohol intake to a minimum
• Not smoking
• Keeping blood pressure at a healthy level

The NHS website has developed a guide that can help you reduce your risk of developing dementia. You can find out more here.

It is important for everyone to try and live a healthy lifestyle, and this includes people with dementia. You can find general lifestyle advice from One You and the NHS Website.

If you, or a loved one, have dementia, it is easy to feel alone and isolated. It can help to keep in contact with others as this helps to keep you active and stimulated.

Some people may find it hard to talk about a diagnosis, whether it’s for themselves or a loved one. Other people may want to talk about it, but find it difficult or need support, but not know how to ask for help.

You may find it helpful to join a local dementia group. You may not be someone who normally gets involved in groups or community sessions but being a part of a session with like-minded people, who may be going through similar experiences to you, can be helpful. You can share experiences, resources and tips, and sometimes it’s just nice having someone else to talk to.

The NHS website has developed a guide for activities for those living with dementia. You can read more here.

• Create a timetable for your week and pin it somewhere easy to see.
• Keep your keys in an easy to remember place, such as a hook on the door or a large bowl in your hallway.
• Label drawers and cupboards with their contents.
• Keep a diary, and make sure you write down the things you want to remember.
• Write yourself reminders using sticky notes.
• Programme people’s names and numbers into your phone, or get someone else to do this for you and show you how to find the numbers easily.
• Write down useful phone numbers and keep these by the telephone.
• Make sure you have safety devices such as gas detectors and smoke alarms, and test them often too. You could get someone to help you with this.
• Arrange for your bills to be put on direct debits so you don’t forget to pay them. You could get a relative or friend to help you with this, or visit your bank for advice.
• A pill box organiser can be helpful for reminding you when to take your medications.

People with dementia can experience disturbed sleep. They may wake up in the night or feel restless. These problems could get worse as the condition develops. Some patients with dementia may also be suffering with illnesses that cause pain such as arthritis, which can contribute to sleep issues.

Sometimes medication can be used in the short term to help people fall asleep and stay asleep through the night. However, it is recommended that it’s best to take measures to manage sleeping problems on your own. Advice includes keeping to a regular bedtime, avoiding alcohol and caffeine and trying to ensure no naps are taken during daytime hours. You can find more advice on sleeping well by clicking here.

People with dementia may be more prone to experiencing mood swings. They may feel sad or angry at times, and experience fear or frustration further along the line. It can be difficult to stay positive if you have dementia, or if you are caring for somebody with the condition.

You could try self help measures, such as listening to podcasts or reading books. You can visit our supporting my mental health page by clicking here, which will signpost you to further advice, or visit the NHS UK website to find information on the NHS talking therapies service.

It may help you to talk about your worries with someone; this could be a friend, family member, or someone from the local dementia support group. You can find your local group or memory café by clicking here.

If you or a loved one is experiencing clinical depression, and have got dementia, it is best to discuss this more with your GP.

Self-care is important for all of us. It involves taking responsibility for your own health and wellbeing, and if you have dementia, you may need some extra support from those involved in your care.

Self-care includes the actions we can take every day to stay fit and healthy. This may include effectively treating minor ailments or longer term conditions, preventing illness or accidents, and maintaining a good level of physical and mental health.

It has been shown that anyone who is suffering from a long-term condition, such as dementia, can benefit from receiving support with self-care. They can live longer, experience less pain, anxiety, depression and fatigue, and can live a better quality of life, keep active and stay more independent.