Ask friends or family to help with needs like cooking, paying bills, transportation, or shopping.
If you live alone, find people you trust who can visit often.
Consider letting trusted neighbors know of your diagnosis so they can help if needed.
Use social service agencies, local nonprofits, and Area Agencies on Aging to connect with in-home help, transportation, meals, and other services.
Learn more about support and services.
Safety Tips for People Living With Dementia
Carry identification with you in case you get lost or need help. If you drive, talk with your doctor about changes in your driving and take seriously family and friends who express concerns. Make minor changes in the home to create a safer environment to prevent falls and injuries. Good balance, a habit of standing up slowly, and non-skid shoes can also help prevent falls.
Home-safety tips:
Simplify the amount and layout of furniture and remove small rugs.
Have a sturdy handrail on stairways.
Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are installed in or near the kitchen and in all bedrooms.
Install an automatic shut-off switch on the stove and set the water heater temperature limit to
120 F to avoid burns.
Consider safety devices, like fall monitors and emergency call buttons.
As much as you might want to put off difficult decisions about the future, now is the time to think about health and finances to make sure you have a say and are prepared. Start discussions early with your family members while everyone can still help make decisions together. There are several areas you will want to consider, including legal and financial matters, and options for in-home care, long-term care, and funeral and burial arrangements.
