The earlier you receive a dementia diagnosis, the better. Being proactive about your neurological health will give you peace of mind and time to create a care plan.
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed after being diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s. The team at Cotter House Worthington wants to provide you with insight and information to make you feel more at peace with your diagnosis.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
Talking to your doctor will help you understand the scope of your condition and ease your fear. Here’s a list of questions to ask that will help you learn more about your diagnosis.
- What type of dementia do I have?
- What does my diagnosis mean?
- What tests were conducted, and what does each one measure?
- How does the disease progress?
- What symptoms can I expect?
- What treatment options are available?
- Can you recommend a cognitive health specialist?
- Can I participate in clinical research?
Tending to Your Emotional Needs
You may experience fear, anxiety, grief, anger, relief or a combination of emotions after you receive your diagnosis. It can be a life-changing situation, so it’s essential to allow yourself time to address your emotions.
Let yourself experience sadness and grief. You may feel like you’re mourning the loss of something dear to you. Acknowledging your emotions will allow you to move forward with your diagnosis.
Share your emotions with your loved ones. Building a support network lowers your risk of isolation, which can severely impact your emotional health.
Find a local support group. Talking with other people who are going through the early stages of their diagnosis can provide you with new perspectives to help you cope.
Maintain a Routine
Getting diagnosed with dementia doesn’t mean you have to stop doing the things you love. Going about your daily life with brain healthy routines will help your brain transition short-term processes into long-term memories.
- Keep clocks and calendars around your house to orient yourself each day.
- Get regular exercise to boost heart and brain health.
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and foods with omega-3 fatty acids to protect your brain cells.
- Give yourself time to unwind from stress. Excess stress can exacerbate aggression and paranoia.
- Stay socially connected to the people you care about to avoid isolation and depression.
Planning for the Future
It’s crucial to update financial, legal and health documents while you can provide input. It’s also a good idea to assign a power of attorney now because you’ll be able to express your wishes clearly and create a plan. Considering your long-term care options before your condition progresses is also a proactive way to prepare for a potential transition to a memory care home.
Our Services
Cotter House Worthington is blessed with a dedicated team of specially trained nurses and support staff who administer customized care to each of our residents. Our comprehensive approach to memory care includes:
Music therapy: Music has been scientifically proven to support memory recall and reduce anxiety. It’s also a good way for us to incorporate personal touches into each resident’s care.
Fitness: We include brain-stimulation during physical activity, so our residents exercise their bodies and minds.
Dietary services: Our kitchen staff bases their dishes on the MIND Diet, which includes foods known to protect the brain from oxidative stress and inflammation.
Cognivue: We provide routine cognitive assessments to our residents to stay up to date on the development of each person’s condition.
Schedule a virtual tour of Cotter House Worthington to learn more about our premier Alzheimer’s and dementia care community in the greater Columbus area.