How to Cope After Dementia Diagnosis

As you may know, dementia is a syndrome that causes a deterioration of cognitive function beyond what is expected from the typical consequences of aging.

According to the World Health Organization, over fifty-five million people around the world currently live with dementia and almost ten million new cases arise every year.

The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. It is believed to contribute to between 60% and 70% of cases.

While there is no treatment to cure dementia at present, medicines and therapies can be used to help people with Alzheimer’s disease and various new treatments are currently being investigated in clinical trials.

It is sure to be a challenging time after you have been diagnosed with dementia, but by learning how to cope with your diagnosis, you can deal with your new situation better.

Here are some of the ways in which you can cope after a dementia diagnosis.

Seek Professional Help

First of all, seeing as dementia symptoms can be caused by numerous conditions, it is vital that you obtain an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible, especially if your symptoms appear suddenly.

Not every sign of cognitive decline means you have dementia, so you should definitely get a professional diagnosis.

So, you should search for “a dementia evaluation near me” where a professional clinician can evaluate your condition and provide therapy if required.

The best way to delay the progression of dementia symptoms is to combine physical exercise and cognitive activities. A clinic that specializes in dementia diagnosis and care will therefore be able to help you to live a fulfilling life for as long as possible.

Research Your Type of Dementia

After diagnosis, you should learn as much as you can about your specific type of dementia. You could have Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, or another type.

By researching your type of dementia, you will be able to cope better with your symptoms and help to slow the disease’s progression.

Do Not Hold Your Feelings In

It will never be easy being diagnosed with dementia, and you could find yourself in a state of shock or depression in the first few days and weeks. That is perfectly normal. And, indeed, to cope better with your diagnosis, it is important that you give yourself time to take everything in and explore your emotions.

If you try to hold your feelings in, you will probably become more stressed and depressed.

Therefore, you should write down your feelings and also talk to someone about how you feel. Ideally, you should talk to a professional, such as a therapist, as well as loved ones who can support you daily.

Be Kind to Yourself

Following on from the last point, it is important to be kind to yourself after a dementia diagnosis.

You are sure to have multiple feelings, but remember that the dementia is not your fault or anyone else’s. So, do not blame yourself. Instead, be kind to yourself.

When you are kind to yourself, you can more easily work through the shock of the diagnosis and prepare yourself for the challenges ahead.

Make Practical Changes

By considering practical aspects, you can make changes to prepare for the future.

One way in which you can do that is to adapt to your environment.

By taking simple precautions like increasing the lighting in your home, removing trip hazards, leaving yourself reminder notes, and developing daily routines, you can ensure you do not injure yourself and you can preserve your independence.

Speak to a healthcare professional about the practical changes you can make to help you cope better during the different stages of dementia.