Finding the Light in Dementia

Hello all,

My name is Jane M. Mullins and I am a dementia nurse specialist. My post is here to offer support and help along the way when you or a relative or friend have received a diagnosis of dementia. I include guidance for all who have been told they have Alzheimer's disease; vascular dementia; Lewy body dementia; frontotemporal dementia or Parkinson's disease dementia as well as rarer conditions. By keeping up to date with the latest research and drawing from my dementia nursing experience, I can pass on my knowledge and advice to you. This will include help about communicating together, tips to manage your day to day lives, the use of memory aids, sleep, eating well, understanding changes in how you or your loved one expresses themselves and how to help and much more. Whether you have been given the diagnosis of dementia or if you’re a caregiver, spouse, partner, daughter, son, sibling, friend or a parent, this blog should help you.

If you or your loved one has just received a diagnosis of dementia you are probably feeling scared and uncertain about what lies ahead. Be kind to yourselves, as you will need a little time to get used to this. It is usually helpful to talk to family and friends openly and ask for their support. Be mindful that you surround yourself with positive people who have a good relationship with you .

Once you have had some time to get used to the diagnosis it is important to take some control and start to make plans together. There is currently no cure for dementia, but much can be done to help you or your loved one live a meaningful life and remain well. Recent research has shown that staying as independent as possible and continuing to keep engaged in activities and socialising will help you  feel better. By keeping stimulated and active, you will realise that you still have a great purpose in life and will feel valued.

It is important to focus on what you or your loved one can do. Do not brush it under the carpet, talk through your feelings and by facing up to the diagnosis, positive plans can be put in place. We know much more about how to help people with the symptoms of dementia now, it is just knowing where to look for that advice. My book Finding the Light in Dementia explains how dementia can affect you or your loved one and gives valuable tips and suggestions on how to overcome some of the difficulties you may be experiencing.

Speak with your doctor about support and possible treatment and care needs. Some medications are licensed for certain types of dementia that may help to temporarily slow down the disease and thereby manage the symptoms. Whether you or your loved one will be offered these will depend on medical history. Where diagnosed with vascular dementia, speak to your doctor about minimising the risk of possible further strokes such as reducing high blood pressure, adopting a healthy Mediterranean diet and taking part in gentle exercise. There is much that can be achieved through living healthily with fresh air, exercise and good nutrition. I would certainly recommend trying to get outdoors together and go on walks to help your moods and to help you both get into the habit of making healthy decisions. It may also be worth finding out about psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help your mood and possible anxiety that may occur due to the dementia.

It is important to work together to plan for the future. Planning ahead may help to avoid difficult situations arising and sometimes even avert a crisis in terms of future care, welfare and finances. You will need to explore your options with regard to putting affairs in order since ability to make decisions will be affected over time. It is important that choices are documented and while decisions may change, you will have taken some control in your future. Speak to a legal professional/attorney for specific advice, if you don't have an existing advisor, contact your local dementia charity, they should be able to support you in your decisions and direct you to the help you need.

It is important that you do not face this alone, encourage your friends and family to get involved. Over time you may need to look for some additional support such as from a befriender, who are volunteers that come to help as friendly visitors into your home or a caregiver. This blog will offer some suggestions but in the meantime watch this space for links to my book, Finding the Light in Dementia: a Guide for Families, Friends and Caregivers. Publication January 2018





Jane M. Mullins is a dementia nurse consultant who has devoted over 25 years to the study and practice of dementia care. Through listening to and supporting people and their families during their diagnosis in memory clinics, caring for them in hospital and in care homes, she has helped throughout all of the stages of their condition.

Jane has uncovered certain common features that may help caregivers and the people they care for find better ways of coping. Her practice experience is backed up by expert knowledge gained from attending conferences, continuing education, lecturing and keeping up to date with research, as well as studying for her Ph.D.