A Good Life

Off to the House of Lords - more of this later - for the answer to the question: Can you still live a good life if you have dementia? 

The HoL was the setting for the launch of a report funded by dementia specialists and independent healthcare company Red & Yellow Care and published in association with the Alzheimer’s Society.

The report - amongst other things - aims to alleviate some of the fear people have about being diagnosed with the condition  and to bring a 'more hopeful perspective' in the way we approach it. 

It suggests, for instance, that we should worry less about memory and remembering and focus more on enabling people with dementia to live in the moment and enjoy the here and now.

The report has identified what it calls Six Paths to a Good Life with Dementia.

The other five are:

*Respecting identity

It’s not one size fits all. Being seen and valued as an individual is central.

*Sustaining Relationships

You don’t always need words.

*Valuing Contrast

We all have good days and bad days – why should we expect things to be different for people with dementia?

*Supporting Agency

Not wrapping a person with dementia in cotton wool for their own safety - letting them do things they enjoy even if this means they take risks.

*Maintaining health

Making sure that everything is not automatically put down to dementia. If someone is not eating, they might have dental problems, for example.   

You can read more here.