Keeping active and involved
Advice and tips for keeping active and involved after a diagnosis of dementia.
When you’re told you have dementia, you may feel a range of different emotions. These often include fear or loss of self-confidence as well as uncertainty about the future.
You might feel like you no longer want to go out or stay involved with the activities you usually do. However, it’s important to keep enjoying the things you did before your diagnosis. To start with, it may be hard to adjust, but you should still be able to continue doing many of the things you do now, sometimes by making small changes. Above all, keep active and try to remain positive about the future.
Why stay active?
Activities can help you stay independent and provide a great sense of enjoyment. They can also keep you in touch with other people and can improve your quality of life.
One of the most important ways of keeping involved and active is simply to talk to others, and not allow yourself to become isolated. Keeping in touch with other people can make you feel better now, and when you need more help in the future.
Other ways staying active can help you include:
- raising your self-esteem, helping you from feeling anxious or depressed
- maintaining your skills for longer
- using an activity to help you express your feelings
- sharing your experiences with people who can provide support or have the same interests.