Coping With a Dementia Diagnosis

Written by: Kristen Pagulayan

After working for several years providing education and supporting those affected by dementia, I have found that it is vital to maintain a person’s dignity. I believe in supporting a person’s ability to find purpose in a world that is increasingly confusing and frustrating. It is this purpose that provides amazing power for patients and for those who love them.

I accomplished some of this by not being afraid to think outside the box and being willing to try sometimes unconventional methods.  At other times, I had to get back to basics, reviewing and thinking about our basic needs as humans– hunger, thirst, comfort, our need for companionship and love.  For the caregivers that means allowing freedom from guilt and taking time out to focus on self-care.  It can be such a difficult thing to do.

It is estimated that 1 in 9 people age 65 and older will at some point have a diagnosis of dementia. As the baby boom generation has begun to reach 65 and beyond, it is estimated that by 2050 this number may triple.  It seems imperative that we learn how to effectively cope with, and adapt to live with, such a diagnosis.

Here are some tips for living with Dementia:

• Don’t feel you have to rush things. Allow more time than you perhaps need. Concentrating on what   needs to be done helps some people. For the caregiver, help the affected person to focus on one task at a time and avoid distractions.


• Write things down. Make lists of things that need to be done.  Keep a diary and get into the habit of checking it regularly; make notes of where things are.  A weekly diary on a wall can be useful.


• Make and follow a routine. You may find it easier to keep track, if you have a regular way of doing things and a particular time to do them. Routines help to decrease confusion and frustration and increase feelings of security.


• Put labels on cupboards and drawers to remember where things are.


• If you are taking medications, ask someone about help with reminders to take them.  Some possible options to help organize medications: Blister packs, weekly pill containers, locked dispensing boxes.


• Get informed and find support. Find educational information on dementia through the internet, literature, or attending educational program/ support groups near you.


• Listen to music. It has incredible power to access lost memories and abilities, as well as the power to change behavior, sooth and improve mood.


• Avoid over-stimulation.  Too much noise can cause anxiety and confusion.  On the other side of that, too little activity can cause boredom and frustration.  It is often a delicate dance, trying to find balance between the two.


• Avoid complex instructions or conversation, utilize simple directive statements such as “would you like to eat green beans or broccoli today?"

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