Living Well With Dementia: Staying socially active
We look at the importance of maintaining a social life.
Being diagnosed with dementia can be overwhelming and it’s important to give yourself time to adjust to the news. It’s also very important to maintain a positive approach to your life with dementia.
Despite the changes you may see in your life and the lives of the people around you, it is still possible to live a very full social life with dementia.
Although dementia affects many people, everyone experiences it differently and by focusing on the things you can still do and enjoy, you will find it easier to stay positive. With the right help and support when you need it, many people can, and do, live well with dementia for several years.
One of the best ways of living well is to maintain your social connections. Keeping in touch with the people you know and engaging in the kind of social activities you enjoy will help you to maintain your confidence. If you are a regular theatre or cinema-goer, there’s no reason to stop.
Likewise, if you play music, sing or perhaps take part in regular exercise like walking, or playing a sport, continuing to stay involved will help your mental wellbeing.
Of course, continuing with an active social life is also good for the people who care for you, whether they are family, friends or carers.
Many entertainment venues are now dementia-friendly. For example, some cinemas put on dementia-friendly screenings of the films and leisure centres run dementia-friendly swimming sessions as well as other activities.
Other activities you could try include:
Movement: dance, tai chi, yoga, swimming or joining a walking group can really help keep you active and sociable – look out for local dementia-friendly swimming, gym and walking sessions.
Art & The Arts: drawing/painting classes, drama groups and book clubs can all help you stay involved and can reduce stress and anxiety.
Memories: reminiscence is increasingly used as a tool to help people with dementia socialise and find a focus. Why not share your life experiences and stories from the past with photos, objects, video and music clips, either as a book or on a tablet or other digital device?
Social & Support Links
Bluebird is involved with Calderdale Dementia Friendly Community (CDFC) an organisation that wants to support groups and organisations to help make Calderdale a dementia-friendly borough. Find out more about them on their website calderdaledementiafriendlycommunity.co.uk/
You can also find local memory cafés (also known as a dementia café), on the Alzheimer's Society website – meet other people with dementia and their carers in an informal drop-in setting to share advice, tips and support
Song: Try the Singing for the Brain groups run by the Alzheimer’s Society – singing is known to improve mood and wellbeing and is also great fun
The Alzheimer's Society offers support near you and Age UK offers social activities for what's available in your area.
Home Care
If you need more support, following your dementia diagnosis, home care can help. Living in your own home is the preferred option of many people with dementia and has obvious benefits in helping you to maintain a familiar environment and day-to-day routine. At Bluebird, we offer a full range of home care, from occasional visits, through to live-in care and respite care. Find out more on our website: /www.bluebirdcare.co.uk
How to find the right care for you or your relative
1. Find your local office
Bluebird Care delivers care from locally based offices, find yours to start your care journey today.
2. Get in touch with us
Fill in our call back form or give us a call to find out how we can help you.
3. Assessment
We’ll come out to you to find out what you or your loved one needs to help stay independent at home.
4. Care team chosen & care starts
You'll be cared for by our specially trained team to support you to remain at home for as long as possible.
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