Because almost everyone knows someone living with dementia, caring for and treating those affected is a key priority for governments and communities.

Increased investment in dementia research is starting to pay dividends. We’ve learnt we can reduce the risk by eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, cutting back on alcohol, quitting smoking and keeping our blood pressure at a healthy level. In fact, avoiding stressful situations helps to slow the ageing of the brain.

We’ve also learnt that making minor changes to the home environment helps to maintain the independence of people living with dementia. Decorating with distinctive interior colour schemes and visual cues provides signposts to help with way-finding and reduce the risk of falls.

We’ve discovered that people living with dementia can make new memories and learn new things. Montessori activities can be used to remind people living with dementia how to independently perform day-to-day tasks like dressing and eating.

And we’ve learnt that friendships are just as important for people living with dementia, as they are for everyone else. It’s important to stay engaged.

Your relationship with a loved one living with dementia might change, but it can also evolve into something new.

Remember, the senses of smell, touch, sight and hearing are still intact in a person living with dementia. Art or music therapy can be used to trigger happy memories and lift the spirits.

So as dark as a diagnosis of dementia might seem, remember, you or your loved one are not alone. 

 – Jason Malone, IRT Care CEO