A Practical Guide for Dementia
- 0About this program
- 1Introduction
- 2Treatment
- 3Out and about
- 4Physical wellbeing
- 5Mental and emotional wellbeing
- 6Money and legal matters
- 7Social life and relationships
- 8Support when you need it
- 9Staying independent
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Introduction
Looking forward
Reactions to a dementia diagnosis vary - some people are shocked, some relieved to know what's wrong; others feel angry or helpless. There's no right or wrong way to react. But having the diagnosis early gives you the chance to make sure you can prepare and get the best out of life as the illness progresses.
There's no cure for dementia yet, but there's lots you can do to keep yourself well and plan for the future. The term dementia refers to the effects of a range of conditions. The most common is Alzheimer's disease. Other common types are vascular (or blood vessel) dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia. There are also around 100 rarer conditions that cause dementia, including Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, corticobasal degeneration (CBD) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Your doctor should have explained which type of dementia you have.
Each type progresses differently and the rate at which the effects develop varies widely between types of dementia and from person to person. You may have many years of active life ahead. Acting now can bring you peace of mind and help those close to you understand your needs and wishes.
Finding information
You are not alone. More than 850,000 people in the UK are living with dementia right now. Many find it helpful to talk to other people with dementia. You can do this online through forums like those on HealthUnlocked. You can read forum posts to see the sorts of things being discussed and can join if you want to ask a question or share your thoughts.
There's a wealth of information about dementia online too. If you want to know more about the condition, try:
If you'd prefer a book, try Reading Well. It lists 'books on prescription' about dementia and they should all be available through your local public library. You can also watch thousands of videos about dementia online – try this Alzheimer's Society channel.
Finally, if you aren’t a confident internet user, there are free, easy-to-follow 'get online' courses at Learn My Way.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.