{"id":10549,"date":"2022-10-27T11:52:32","date_gmt":"2022-10-26T22:52:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/greenviewpark.co.nz\/?p=10549"},"modified":"2022-10-27T11:52:32","modified_gmt":"2022-10-26T22:52:32","slug":"feeling-anxious-after-a-dementia-diagnosis-heres-a-few-options","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/greenviewpark.co.nz\/feeling-anxious-after-a-dementia-diagnosis-heres-a-few-options\/","title":{"rendered":"Feeling Anxious After a Dementia Diagnosis? Here\u2019s a Few Options."},"content":{"rendered":"
It\u2019s the news no one wants to hear, that you or a loved one have been diagnosed with<\/span> dementia.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s a complex disease and will likely take you a while to get a good understanding of what to<\/span> expect and how to move forward. And to help you out, we\u2019ve put together a few thoughts<\/span> which we hope will help you during what is probably quite an anxious time.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re still unsure about what dementia actually is, <\/span>here\u2019s a short, helpful guide<\/a><\/span> which<\/span> explains the different kinds of dementia.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n After getting over the initial shock, you may have lots of questions and concerns, but the first<\/span> thing to realise is that you\u2019re not alone. There are plenty of resources and<\/span> professionals to help you through the next steps. Reaching out is important, as it can enable<\/span> you to feel more in control and understand better about what to expect in the coming years<\/span> ahead.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Most towns and\/or regions in New Zealand will have an Alzheimers New Zealand branch,<\/span> which you can find here<\/span><\/a>, and if you can see one near you, just contact the closest one – they<\/span> will still be able to offer advice, helpful resources and assistance.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Significant amounts of research continues everyday into what causes dementia and how it<\/span> can be treated. And while there is currently no cure for dementia, there are medications and<\/span> therapies that can help to slow down progression of some types of dementia.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Of course your doctor is the best person to provide information about these options (which<\/span> will depend on the kind of dementia diagnosed), but it may also help you to feel in control if<\/span> you expand your own knowledge of current research and treatments available – particularly<\/span> outside of New Zealand.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re interested in connecting with a global community of people living with dementia, and<\/span> ongoing education opportunities, you might like to join the <\/span>Dementia Alliance International<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Once a dementia diagnosis has been made, the general advice is to start planning for the<\/span> future in terms of sorting out finances, choosing those who will speak and advocate on your<\/span> (or your loved ones) behalf in the future, expressing wishes for health and care and<\/span> discussing the choices you (or your loved one) would like carried out as things progress.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You\u2019re allowed to take one step at a time, at a pace that suits you. But as mentioned above,<\/span> never feel like you have to manage it all alone.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Check out this page for more information on planning ahead.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Alzheimers New Zealand notes that it is perfectly okay to laugh, to cry and to feel frustrated,<\/span> angry, embarrassed and sad. And that you should allow yourself to feel all of those<\/span> emotions. After all, it is a very big adjustment to your life.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But while it may not feel like it to begin with, plenty of people live full, happy lives with a<\/span> diagnosis of dementia. Alzheimers New Zealand promotes continued participation in<\/span> activities, staying involved in things you enjoy and benefiting from physical exercise. Puzzles<\/span> and other things to keep the brain active are also very much encouraged – in fact, research<\/span> has shown that exercising the brain can slow the thinking and functional decline of people<\/span> with dementia, as well as helping to enjoy a better quality of life.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You might want to consider who you\u2019re going to tell, and when, as well as make decisions<\/span> that make you feel safe and comfortable going forward. This could be considering a new<\/span> place to live, or choosing a range of confidants to help as you adjust to life with dementia.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There\u2019s also plenty of tips, tools and handy ways to allow you to manage in the day-to-day –<\/span> like setting up reminders on your phone, changing furniture around to make your home<\/span> easier to live in, staying in touch with support groups, and using other helpful technology –<\/span> it\u2019s about finding the things that work for you.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For further reading,\u00a0<\/span>here\u2019s a booklet from Alzheimers New Zealand on Living Well with<\/span> Dementia.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n And if you\u2019re supporting someone with a recent dementia diagnosis, <\/span>this booklet may be<\/span> helpful for you.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n We hope that the above has provided you with the next steps to take after a diagnosis of<\/span> dementia. If you need further information, please contact Alzheimers New Zealand on 0800<\/span> 004 001, or visit their website<\/span> www.alzheimers.org.nz<\/span>.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It\u2019s the news no one wants to hear, that you or a loved one have been diagnosed with dementia.\u00a0 It\u2019s a complex disease and will likely take you a while to get a good understanding of what to expect and…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":10550,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nAsk for help<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
Treatments and research<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
Planning for the future<\/b><\/h3>\n
Living with dementia<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n