Wellbeing and coping
This section includes information and ideas to enhance your wellbeing and help you to cope.
Wellbeing and coping
Social interaction with others is very important for wellbeing. It can help to boost mood, ease stress and also stimulate the brain – which may help to slow the progression of dementia. Take a look at the interactive map to help you find a range of services such as Dementia Cafes.
“I think it helps a lot meeting people that are in the same position as you, so that you don’t feel so isolated and…then just try and do things that you’ve talked about to help and things like that. So I feel better in myself for that.” – Person in the early stages of dementia
The Alzheimer’s Society has some ideas for staying active and involved.
Tips for going out and staying connected socially
- Talk to your family, friends or local services about the ways that you can keep socially active
- Seek their support if you don’t feel comfortable going alone or need a lift
- Try to keep doing the things you enjoy where possible
- Consider new ways to meet people and stay connected, find local services
- Ask other people with dementia and their family/carers about how they meet people
- Connect with people with dementia online using forums such as Talking Point
- Five Ways to Wellbeing in Warwickshire has lots of tips and ideas for ways to improve your wellbeing and build wellbeing into your daily life.
Consider using email and other forms of technology to connect with others. If you are unsure about how to use a computer, ask a family member to help you or Age UK has some tips for
‘Making the most of the internet’
Memory hints tips and brain exercises
Taking the time to try new tips and strategies such as simple memory aids can help you to stay independent for as long as possible. Research shows that these activities may help to slow the progression of dementia symptoms. For more information, you can download or order a free copy of ‘the memory handbook’– a guide to living with memory problems from The Alzheimer’s Society.
Memory aids and assistive Technology
A memory aid is a device or system which is intended to help with memory problems. This can be an everyday item or a specially designed electronic device. To find out more about the different types of memory aids and technology to help with the symptoms of memory loss.
Read our blog for tips and brain exercises.
Hope and feeling hopeful
Hope and being hopeful refer to the belief that there are certain good things that lie ahead for you.
It is not always easy to feel hopeful when dealing with life’s challenges such as living with dementia and other illnesses, but there are techniques and methods that you can try out to help you think and feel more positive and hopeful. These will improve your wellbeing:
- Learning from others – ask them what makes them hopeful
- Get encouragement from others through support groups – talk to people who have a positive attitude about dementia
- Be inspired – Put up inspiring photos or pictures around you
- Spend time with friends who make you laugh or choose humorous films and books – you might like to try talking (audio) books from your local library.
- Work through challenges by problem solving with help from others, rather than giving up. You may still be able to do something – it might just need a slightly different approach.
Tools that may help
Some people find it useful to write a list of the things they feel grateful for from each day to help them focus less on negative things in their life. Download the Positive Log template.
Have goals and dreams that are realistic and achievable. Download goal setting template.
Relax. You might like to try listening to a relaxation or meditation CD, listening to music or one of the following guided relaxation techniques:
Relaxation Technique 1 – Breathing Exercises
Relaxation Technique 2 – Muscle Relaxation