Embrace Identity

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

Celebrate who they are and what they have done in their life at every opportunity - Their past achievements, skills, talents, memories. Remind themof the positive impact they have on others and the things they have done! You coulddisplay things their proud of, travel moments, photographs, or compile written notes and achievements in a folder - however they'dprefer!

Create a beautiful memory book with friends and family. Gather special photos from their life and add simple captions with important details. Use large print and keep the layout clear so it's easy to enjoy. Organise the photos chronologically, focusing on happy memories and moments. You can even present it in a photo album or scrapbook for a special touch! This will create a valuable tool to help trigger memories in years to come.

Include things they love, don't love, enjoy doing, and what's most important to them. For example: Music, food, favourite topics to chat about, and their daily routines. Capture as much as possible now, as this information will be valuable later on. You could do this with them, and/or some friends and family that also know them well.

Embracing their identity and putting who they are above their diagnosis, they’llfeel a greater sense of dignity, control, and belonging.

Connecting with supportive friends and family can be a great way to share their stories and plans for the future. Joining a local dementia group allows them to connect with others who understand their experiences. These conversations can be incredibly freeing and help them, and you maintain your sense of self and stay positive.

Dementia doesn’t mean the end, so keep planning for their future - keep doing what they love, social dates, events, seeing family. As dementia progresses, plans may need to be adjusted or modified, however, it's still so important to keep looking forward! And the act of planning itself can be a valuable and empowering.

Be kind and understanding towards them and yourself. Acknowledge the challenges of living with dementia and celebrate yours and their resilience and courage.