I'm A Person With Dementia
If you have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia this section is for you.
A diagnosis of dementia can come as a great shock, even when we have been expecting it. This can be a worrying and upsetting time for you and for those close to you. You may be feeling a range of emotions, from shock to disbelief, to fear and isolation.
You are not alone when living with this condition. There are things you can do to help yourself and those around you to make life easier now and in the future.
Information and Support
There is a range of ways to make contact with other people with a diagnosis of dementia and to access information about the condition. You are not alone with this diagnosis.
Plan for Your Future
When a diagnosis of a dementia, such as Alzheimer’s Disease, is made a number of important legal and financial decisions should be considered as soon as possible. This will ensure your affairs will be organised in the future in a way that you have chosen. You may want a trusted family member or friend to help you with this.
Steps you can take:
Put your important papers in order and ensure you know where to find them. You may also want to let another person know where they are. This can include details of your bank and building society accounts, details about your home or mortgage, insurance policies, pension details and other financial documents.
Speak to your bank about your banking needs and things that can be done to make life easier. Are there bills that can be paid by direct debit or standing order? Are there payments that could be made directly into your accounts?
Speak to a solicitor about your legal affairs. Matters you may want to discuss include making or updating your will and considering drawing up an Enduring Power of Attorney. Ask your solicitor if they have any experience in dealing with these matters when a diagnosis of dementia has been made. Consider getting quotations from different solicitors for this type of work as costs can vary greatly.
Find out what benefits you may be entitled to. Your local Citizen Information Centre can talk to you about your entitlements. This is a free and confidential service. Call 1890 777 121 to find out about benefits and where your local office is.