Staying independent with dementia

Being diagnosed with dementia will have a big impact on you and your life. You and
your family may worry about how long you can look after yourself, particularly if
you live alone.
Everyone experiences dementia differently and the rate at which symptoms become
worse varies from person to person.
But with the right support when you need it, many people live independently for
several years.
Living at home when you have dementia
In the early stages of dementia, many people are able to live at home and enjoy
life in the same way as before their diagnosis.
Following a dementia diagnosis, you should have been given advice on how you can
keep doing what is important to you for as long as possible as well as information
about local support and services that you may find helpful.
But as the illness gets worse, it is likely that you will find it more difficult to
look after yourself and your home. You may then need extra help with daily
activities, such as housework, shopping and adaptations to your home.
How to get extra help and support
Apply for a needs assessment from the adult social services department of your
local council. This will help to identify where you might benefit from help, such
as with meals or housework.
A needs assessment should be done face to face. It's a good idea to have a relative
or friend with you, if you're not sure what your needs might be. They can also take
notes for you.
Read more about applying for a needs assessment
Find out about dementia services near you from the Alzheimer's Society online
directory. Age UK also provide a range of services and local support.
Join an online forum, such as Alzheimer's Society Dementia Support Forum. Online
forums are a good way to share your experiences of living with dementia and advice
on how to continue living independently.
Read more about help and support for people with dementia.
How technology can help you at home
Advances in technology mean there is now a growing range of products and services
to help those with dementia or other long-term conditions live independently and
safely. This is also known as assistive technology.
Telecare
Telecare systems help to keep you safe. They include devices, such as:
portable alarms or fixed position alarms – when activated these make a high-pitched
sound to alert someone
movement sensors – to detect, for instance, when someone has fallen out of bed
smoke and fire alarms
telecare systems – sensors or detectors that automatically send a signal to a carer
or monitoring centre by phone
pill dispensers – release medication at appropriate intervals
If you’ve had a needs assessment, your local council may provide a telecare system.
You may have to pay towards the cost of this.
Read more about personal alarms, security systems (telecare) and keysafes.
Daily living aids
These include products that help with day-to-day tasks, such as:
clocks showing the day and date as well as the time
reminder devices to prompt when to take medication or appointment alerts
telephones with big buttons – these can be pre-programmed with frequently used
numbers
music players and radios with easy-to-use controls
There are several websites that sell daily living aids, such as Alzheimer’s Society
online shop and Living made easy.
Smartphones and tablets
Many people with dementia find using a mobile phone or tablet helps. These devices
often have a range of apps that can help people, such as an alarm clock, notes
function and a reminder function.
There are also many apps specifically designed to help people with dementia – and
their carers – including dedicated games, digital photobooks and reminiscence aids.
Voice-controlled virtual assistants can also help you stay independent. For
example, they can remind you to take medicines and provide answers to questions
about weather or train timetables.
Working when you have dementia
If you've received a dementia diagnosis, you may be worried about how you'll cope
at work. You should speak to your employer as soon as you feel ready.
In some jobs, such as the armed forces, you must tell your employer. If you're
unsure, check your employment contract.
You can also get advice from the disability employment adviser at your local
Jobcentre Plus, your trade union or your local Citizens Advice service. If you
decide to leave work, seek advice about your pensions and benefits.
If you want to continue to work, speak to your employer about what adjustments can
be made to help you, such as:
changes to your working hours
scheduling meetings at different times
changing to a different role that may be less demanding
Under the Equality Act 2010, your employer has to make "reasonable adjustments" in
the workplace to help you do your job.
The Alzheimer's Society have more information about working and employment if you
have dementia.
Driving
If you've been diagnosed with dementia, you are legally required to inform the
DVLA and your car insurance company promptly.
This doesn't necessarily mean you will have to stop driving immediately. Some
people with dementia prefer to give up driving because they find it stressful, but
others continue driving for some time as long as it's safe for them to do so
The DVLA will ask for medical reports and possibly a special driving assessment to
decide whether you can continue driving.
Read the Alzheimer's Society advice on driving and dementia.
Planning ahead
You may have many years of staying independent with dementia ahead of you. But
while you're still able to make your own decisions, it's a good idea to make plans
so that your wishes for your future care can be respected.
These plans can include:
choosing someone you trust, like a family member or friend, to act on your behalf
to manage your affairs, both financial and medical – this is called Lasting Power
of Attorney
making an advance statement – this covers the care you'd like to receive in the
later stages of dementia, including where you would like to be cared for
making a will – if you haven't done so already