First Steps After Diagnosis

You may have been wondering what is happening to you for some time now and have probably been worried and anxious about the changes you’ve noticed.

This information is for you as you make adjustments and plans for next steps.

Realizing that you are living with dementia can be upsetting; however, for some people who have been worried about themselves for some time, the diagnosis can come as a relief.

Often people find it easier to manage a diagnosis if they can understand the disease and its implications. This knowledge can also assist in beginning to plan for the future.

Talk about the diagnosis

Tell people close to you

When you are ready, it is important to tell your family and friends who don’t already know about your diagnosis, that you have dementia.

This might be difficult for you, as a diagnosis of a cause for dementia is very difficult to come to terms with. But it is better that people close to you are clear about it so they can have time to adjust to your condition, find out about dementia and learn how best to support yourself.

Read books on dementia

There are a number of books written by people with dementia and a few are recommended below. The Alzheimer’s Association library also holds other books and videos about dementia and how to better manage the condition.

The following books may help:

“Dancing with dementia”
Christine Bryden

This book is a thoughtful exploration of how dementia challenges our ideas of personal identity and of the process of self-discovery it can bring about.

“Memory’s Last Breath: Field Notes on My Dementia”
Gerda Saunders

A former literature professor describes her life with dementia and what it is like to be an intellectual person who is aware of her irreversible cognitive decline.

Home Safety

This Caring Home – Recommendations and assistive devices are provided room by room with a virtual home tour.