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How to Nurture Your Mind, Body & Spirit After a Dementia Diagnosis

Being diagnosed with dementia is never an easy thing. Even if you had suspected something was wrong for some time, that official diagnosis can be overwhelming and is definitely life-changing. You may be experiencing a wide range of emotions, some of which may surprise you.

“It’s normal to feel many different things after you’ve been diagnosed, ranging from anger and sadness to even relief,” says Eric Kessler, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Westwood, a memory care assisted living community in Westwood, MA. “No matter what you’re feeling, remember that acknowledging your feelings and emotions is an important first step in moving forward on your journey.”

Following a dementia diagnosis, it’s important that you take some time and focus on a holistic health approach. This means taking steps to nurture your mind, body and soul. Giving yourself time to think about and process the changes ahead of you will allow you to reach a certain level of acceptance. This will give you a strong foundation from which to build a successful, fulfilling future for you and your loved ones.

Nurture Your Body

Now, more than ever, it’s essential to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Diet, exercise and regular check-ups are necessary to help you live well for as long as possible. Take care of your physical health with diet and exercise. Adopting a healthy lifestyle can help you live well with your diagnosis for as long as possible. Follow these tips to help you achieve and maintain physical health.

Schedule regular visits with your doctor(s).Loop your doctor(s) in as early as possible in order to create a care plan that will help you achieve optimal health while managing the symptoms and stages of your diseases. Consider bringing a family member or friend with you to visits, and have a list of questions or concerns to ask while you’re there.

Establish an exercise routine. It’s been well-documented that regular physical activity has many benefits for seniors, including those with cognitive impairment. Getting your heart pumping on a regular basis may help slow mental decline or even delay it. Plus, there’s no doubt that when we get exercise, we feel better. We’re at less risk for depression, have better cardiovascular health, have more energy and overall just feel better than when we don’t exercise.

If you don’t already do much exercise, it’s okay to start small. Experts suggest that 30 minutes a day of aerobic activity is a good level to reach, but you don’t have to do that all at once. Take minibreaks throughout the day and walk around the block, do jumping jacks or ride a bike. If you enjoy playing sports, that counts as exercise. So do tasks like gardening, cleaning or dancing. Be sure to check with your physician to make sure you’re healthy enough to start a new exercise routine.

Eat a healthy diet. Choose heart-healthy foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, poultry, fish and healthy fats. Drink alcohol in moderation, and be judicious in your intake of fatty meats, processed foods, sugars and salt.

Nurture Your Mind

There are two steps to nurturing your mind and mental state following your dementia diagnosis. The first is nurturing your mental capabilities. The second is nurturing your emotional capabilities. 

It’s important to keep your mind active, as there have been studies that show how mental stimulation in any stage of dementia can help keep remaining abilities sharp and can possibly slow cognitive decline. Doing things that cause you to think and use your brain are also interesting, fulfilling and engaging, all of which can lead to better self-worth and a higher quality of life. Continue doing things you love to do, like reading or doing puzzles. You may also try doing brain exercises and games

On the emotional side of things, coming to an acceptance of your situation requires you to process and embrace your feelings and emotions. This can be difficult, not just because it’s life-changing, but also because some of your feelings and reactions may be symptoms of dementia (such as becoming angry, anxious or being unable to control your emotions). Here are some things you can do:

  • Find a trusted friend, family member or advisor to talk to. Having someone you can share your feelings with and not feel judged can be incredibly helpful.
  • You may also wish to join a support group for those with dementia so you can meet others who are going through the same things you are.
  • Keep up with your close relationships – the support of your loved ones will be instrumental in the coming days.

Nurture Your Spirit

A dementia diagnosis can cause us to look deep within ourselves as well as look outward to a higher power than us. Embracing your “spirituality” and your place within the world can help you find meaning and allow you to live your life to the fullest. For example: if you are a member of a religious community, this can be a good time to explore your faith and find support and peace in your community.

If you’re not religious – or even if you are – here are some ways to help find peace and maintain a sense of self.

Find what fills you up. Does being close to nature help you feel connected to the world at large? Or is it volunteering and doing good works for others? Whatever it is that brings you joy and provides you with a sense of self, explore it and find ways to make it occur for you.

Seek inner peace. Meditation and learning to be present in the moment are excellent tools for helping calm our roiling thoughts, find a sense of calm and allow us to move forward with peace and serenity. You can practice meditation exercises on your own, or join classes that can provide you with techniques. If you prefer a more active form of spiritual searching, consider yoga or tai chi, which focus on the mind/body connection.

Finally, remember that it is possible to live a healthy, happy and fulfilled life even with a dementia diagnosis. Focusing on a holistic health approach and taking care of your mind, body and soul, you and your loved ones will be better equipped for the journey ahead.

Personalized Lifestyle

Bridges® by EPOCH at Westwood provides assisted living memory care that is comfortable, positive, safe and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia or memory impairment, we’ve created a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity and individual preferences. Our memory care professionals receive specialized and ongoing training designed to help residents maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment – making a truly positive impact on the lives of our residents each and every day.

Personalized Services

Our care and services are designed to recognize and adapt to the individual challenges and personalities of our residents, while making sure they are comfortable and safe. We believe in a full-service approach to care and provide a high level of personalized attention for every resident through all stages of memory loss.

Our Amenities

Bridges® by EPOCH at Westwood features a distinct design, providing residents with everything they need to enjoy comfort, familiarity and security. Our community is built specifically to benefit those with Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss … so we use soft colors, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life stations to create a soothing, safe environment where residents feel at ease.

Contact us today to learn more. 

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