Embrace Identity

Celebrate who you are and what you have done in your life at every opportunity.

Create a memory book with friends and family, it is fun to do together and will create a valuable tool to help trigger memories in years to come.

Start to compile an 'about me' file. Include things like who you are, what you like to do, what is most important to you in your life. Also add in all your likes and dislikes, music, food, topics of discussion, your interest and religion. Do you like to get up early or go to bed late? Capture as much about you as possible in the early stages of your journey. This can be so important as years go on, you might need some external support and this will be really helpful for anyone to get to know you better.

The diagnosis of dementia does not take away who you are! You are still a spouse/life partner, friend, grandparent, sibling, colleague, first and foremost. Dementia does not define who you are and who you have been in your life.