Here are some lifestyle tips that help those living with dementia:
Prioritising a sleep routine
Dementia can bring changes to sleep patterns that lead to disrupted sleep so establishing a good sleep routine is important.
What this looks like:
Sticking to the same bedtime every night
Ensuring the bedroom is cool, quiet and dark and conducive to rest
Avoiding caffeinated drinks, if possible, or only having them earlier in the day
Discouraging daytime napping if possible, so the person’s brain can distinguish the difference between day and night
Waking the same time in the morning
Getting some natural daylight early on in the morning, to help with circadian rhythms that signal to the brain that it’s daytime. The best way to do this is to go for a morning walk
You can find more sleep tips here <link to Sleep>
Planning a regular routine
By having a set routine to the week, broken down into daily tasks and ‘to dos’, you’ll ensure the person you’re caring for has a balanced life with a good mix of activities. Ideally this will include time for:
Exercise
Periods of socialising
Rest and a good sleep routine
Hobbies and activities they enjoy, ideally that engage the brain
Time to eat well (time to prepare and enjoy a balanced diet)
You can read more about the importance of routine here <link to Routine>
Going outside
Spending time outdoors – especially early in the day – is great for those living with dementia. Being outside in natural daylight helps the body clock to distinguish between day and night, which can be a problem for people living with dementia and cause ‘sundowning’ where a person becomes confused and sometimes upset when the light changes and day moves into night.
Being outside in the fresh air, especially in nature, is great for mood and from April to September is great for vitamin D levels. An early morning walk is ideal <Link to Walking>, but if that’s not possible, why not enjoy a cuppa in the garden every morning.
An activity like gardening will help to tick lots of boxes. Read more about gardening here <Link to Gardening>
Being social
Isolation and loneliness isn’t good for anyone, and it’s important that those living with dementia stay connected and active, with opportunities to be with others.
You can find out what’s on in your area here <Link to what’s on>. The Alzheimer’s Society also has a list of organisations that can help people with dementia to connect with others here https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/staying-independent/keeping-active-involved-useful-organisations#content-start
We’ve got some great ideas for hobbies that are great for people living with dementia here <link to Hobbies>, too.
Eating well
Eating well with dementia can become tricky. Try to plan mealtimes out and add them to your routine, because eating can take longer as the disease progresses.
You can read more on why it’s important to encourage a balanced diet here <Link to Eating> along with tips on making this easier.
You can also download our handy meal planner – it will help you to shop, prepare and enjoy good food and make regular meals simple to include in your daily routine. <Link to Meal Planner>
Staying hydrated is important, too, so encourage regular sips of water to avoid problems linked with dehydration. A marked cup or water bottle can help with monitoring how much someone is drinking.
Making changes at home
There are small practical changes that can be made to the living environment that will make home more dementia friendly.
From clearing clutter to improving the lighting and making the home more secure, there are simple steps you can take to help keep the person safe and better able to adapt to changes.
Read more about creating a dementia-friendly home here <Link to Lifestyle. Dementia friendly home> – even changes like keeping the phone, specs and travel pass in a bowl in a prominent place can help.
Using technology
There are many ways that technology can be useful to those living with dementia. From smart phones with alarms that act as medication or appointment reminders to home tech enabling loved ones to switch lights on or set the central heating remotely.
You can read more about helpful technology here <Link to Dementia Friendly home>
Looking after health
Keeping up with regular medical checks is important for those living with dementia. Sight and hearing check-ups shouldn’t be missed because symptoms of dementia can be made worse if a person is isolated or lonely due to hearing issues – or experiencing problems with perception that are worsened due to a glasses prescription change.
Dental care can become trickier, so regular visits to the dentist to keep on top of oral health are advised. Ensuring vaccinations for ‘flu and pneumonia are up to date is also a good idea.
Depression is common in people living with dementia. Talk to the GP if this is an issue – a talking therapy will help and they can be referred.
Taking care of you
It can be tough supporting someone with dementia. It’s important that you make time for yourself, too. You can read more about ways to do that here <Link to Your Self Care> but don’t feel you have to cope alone. Chat to others who understand here <Link to Conversations>.
Sources:
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/staying-independent/keeping-active-dementia-practical-tips
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dementia/living-with-dementia/living-well/