A Guide To Living A Great Life With Dementia
A lot of people feel a bit demoralised when they first hear that they’re suffering from dementia, and this is perfectly normal. But you also need to accept that this is a normal part of growing old and that there are tons of ways to live a great life with cognitive decline. You should also know that there are things that you can do to slow down the progress of the condition, and even keep it at a steady level for a prolonged number of years. Let’s take a look at a few things that you can do if you want to enjoy your life to the fullest with dementia.
Consider Moving To A Care Facility
Unless you hire someone to take care of you or have a spouse that can look after you during most of the day, you will never be truly safe. The symptoms of dementia can deteriorate fast in a short period, and while you may feel normal one day, you could suddenly lose your memory and forget to do simple, but yet crucial things, like taking your medication, shutting down an oven, or leaving the water running, for example. You could also get lost running errands, which can have very serious consequences.
Going to a care home with specialised staff is the best way to ensure your security and allow you to live a normal life with cognitive decline. Don’t assume that the staff will be peering over your shoulder 24/7 either. There are facilities like stpetersbury.com, for instance, that will allow you to do most of what you do normally and will only give you the level of support that you need. Consider a few care homes today and see if you can find one where you will truly feel at home.
Find A Dementia Friendly Community
People who suffer from dementia should build social bonds to keep their brains active, but it can be difficult if you’re beginning to deal with severe memory and mobility issues. Thankfully, there is a growing number of dementia-friendly communities around the country and even cafes that cater specifically to that group. If you’d like to find them where you are, you can check out the Alzheimer’s Society’s Website or search for “dementia cafe” in your area.
Stay Hydrated
A lot of people talk about the importance of getting enough physical activity or eating well when it comes to dementia, but so many people overlook the importance of staying hydrated. Even perfectly healthy people will see a sharp decline in cognitive ability when they’re dehydrated, so you can only imagine what lack of water can do to the brain of someone who has dementia.
If you want to slow down the progress of the condition and operate to the best of your abilities, you have to make sure that you drink at least two litres of water per day. It would be a good idea to carry a two-litre container with you so you can be sure that you get the amount of water you need. Also, know that two litres are the equivalent of four regular-size water bottles, so you can use small bottles instead if carrying a big flask is too cumbersome.
These tips should greatly help enhance your quality of life as someone who’s suffering from dementia. The most important step is taking care of your body by giving it the rest, fuel, and activity it needs.
