Here at TDC we’ve had a brainstorm of good practice for people with dementia, we’ll be posting handy reminders on our social media, so make sure you follow us there too! We’ve brainstormed a tip a day for the next week, tick them off as you go!
1. Don’t miss the sun! – The cold days – whilst challenging, do often bring stunning light. Don’t miss the sunrises in particular. Share photos with friends to help remind them of the beauty around us. Go for a drive, a walk or find a lovely conservatory style room or café to visit.
2. Light Therapy – Ok so most of the days have no sun, we know this so invest in a light therapy lamp – simple to use and cost efficient. These essential winter accessories can really lighten your mood.
3. Stay Active – Put a goal in the diary and start working towards it. We are loving all the activity fund raises out there at the minute. Why not join us on a team walk to help raise funds for the brilliant Alzheimer’s Society. See www.alzheimers.org.uk/memorywalk – Guildford in September.
4. Connect with others – No not on social media! Actually, get together, there is nothing more uplifting than meeting with a likeminded friend or join a social lunch group. The feedback we get to our dementia care days is amazing. Look out for some of our testimonials we have coming up on facebook!
5. Set positive goals – Happy goals… maybe to smile more, or compliment someone every day. Phone a friend once a week, phone calls are becoming as rare as letters these days and so enjoyable. Little steps that make you happy.
6. Nourish Your Body – Change supermarkets, buy a new cook book or try a receipe box, maybe start shopping at your local fresh market? A simple change can make you feel happy about food again. Which then incentivises you to eat better. Start chopping things up and ditch the processed food!
7. Turn the news off! – Instead put some music on, dance in your kitchen, look up some music from your teen years! Go see live music. I love some of the cathedral candlelight concerts. The news is often so depressing and worrying. Give yourself a break if it’s getting you down.
Seek Professional Help – Of course, depression is not always as easy as all that, it you reach the end of our advice and have all this in place, you may need professional help. Talking to your Dr can help, they can put you in touch with talking therapy or local counselling. Don’t suffer alone, and recognise
you’re not right. There is so much help out there.
