Improving Quality of Life Living with Dementia
A diagnosis of dementia brings with it a wave of questions and emotions. It can feel like everything is changing, not just for the person diagnosed, but for their family too. While it is natural to feel uncertain, there are many ways to support someone living with dementia that can lead to a better, more comfortable quality of life.
From creating a safe and familiar home environment to encouraging meaningful daily routines, small steps can make a real difference. In this guide, we share practical advice for improving daily life with dementia. We hope this helps families feel more prepared and confident in supporting their loved ones.
Life after a dementia diagnosis
Hearing that a loved one has dementia can feel overwhelming. It is common to feel uncertain about what comes next or how to provide the right support. This stage often brings a mix of emotions, including worry, sadness and the need to take action.
Although there is no cure for dementia, there are steps that can be taken early on to help manage the condition and maintain quality of life. Understanding the diagnosis is the first part of planning ahead. It gives families a chance to organise care, seek professional advice and put routines in place that will help the person feel more secure and supported.
It is also an important time to involve the person diagnosed in conversations about what matters most to them. Their voice and preferences should guide any plans being made.
Download our free Dementia Guide to learn about the types of dementia, treatments, symptoms, stages and more useful information on living with dementia.
Getting a care and support assessment
Once a diagnosis has been made, arranging a care and support assessment is an important next step. This assessment is carried out by the local authority and helps to identify the kind of help your loved one may need day to day. It is free of charge and available to anyone who may require additional support, regardless of income or savings.
The assessment looks at things like mobility, personal care needs, memory, communication and emotional well-being. It also takes into account the home environment, safety concerns and any existing support from family or friends.
You can request an assessment directly through the GOV.UK website or ask a healthcare professional, such as a GP or social worker, to make a referral. With consent, they can begin the process on your behalf.
Once completed, the results will help shape a personalised care plan. This plan is designed to support your loved one’s specific needs and preferences, providing a clearer picture of what services and assistance may be helpful going forward.
Building a support network
Caring for someone with dementia is not something you have to do alone. In fact, one of the most important things you can do early on is build a network of support around you and your loved one. This might include professional care services, local authority teams, medical professionals and community organisations.
Local councils can provide practical support such as home care, mobility aids and equipment, or adaptations to make the home safer. Some services, like district nursing or occupational therapy, may be arranged through the NHS and accessed via a GP or consultant.
There is also a wide range of support available through charities and dementia-specific organisations. Groups like Dementia UK and the Alzheimer’s Society offer helplines, advice, day centres and local support groups for both individuals and their carers.
Knowing where to turn for guidance can reduce stress, help you make informed decisions and give your loved one a stronger sense of security and routine. The right support can bring peace of mind to families and make a real difference to quality of life.
Encouraging meaningful daily activities
Taking part in meaningful activities can give someone with dementia a sense of purpose and identity. These moments need not be complicated. Even simple tasks, when matched to the person’s interests and abilities, can be deeply rewarding.
Start with what your loved one has always enjoyed. If they liked gardening, they might enjoy watering plants or arranging flowers. If music was important to them, listening to favourite songs or singing along can lift their mood and bring back memories. Creative activities like painting, colouring or scrapbooking offer both expression and calm.
Routines can also be shaped around familiar tasks such as setting the table, folding laundry or baking something simple. These everyday actions help maintain a sense of normality and independence.
It is helpful to balance stimulating tasks with restful ones. A quiet moment with a photo album, a short walk in the garden or simply sitting together with a cup of tea can all contribute to well-being.
The goal is not to keep busy for the sake of it, but to create small moments of joy and connection throughout the day.
Supporting communication and connection
As dementia progresses, it may become harder for your loved one to express themselves or understand what is being said. This can lead to frustration, confusion or withdrawal.
Speak slowly and clearly, using short, familiar sentences. Avoid asking too many questions at once and give plenty of time for a response. If your loved one struggles to find the right word, try not to interrupt or correct. Instead, offer gentle encouragement or rephrase what you think they might be trying to say.
Use eye contact and relaxed body language to show that you are listening. A warm smile, nod or touch on the hand can often speak volumes. Visual prompts such as photographs or familiar objects can help spark conversation and support understanding.
Sometimes, it is not about the words at all. Sitting quietly together, sharing a favourite song or simply holding their hand can provide comfort and connection.
Read our guide on communicating with the person you care for to learn more tips and techniques.
Promoting wellbeing through routine and health
Maintaining daily routines and good health habits plays an important role in helping someone with dementia feel secure, comfortable and well cared for. A familiar rhythm to the day can reduce confusion, support sleep and promote a greater sense of calm.
Try to keep mealtimes, rest periods and personal care tasks at consistent times. Simple routines such as having a morning cup of tea, listening to the radio in the afternoon or going for a short walk after lunch can bring structure and reassurance.
Supporting physical health is equally important. Offer balanced, nourishing meals and plenty of fluids throughout the day. Gentle exercise, like stretching or walking, can help with mobility and mood. Encourage rest when needed, and try to avoid overstimulation in the evening.
Cognitive wellbeing matters too. Reading aloud, listening to music, playing word games or working on a jigsaw can all help keep the mind active. Regular medical check-ups, good medication management and support from health professionals also contribute to stability and comfort.
A steady, well-paced routine allows your loved one to live each day with dignity and as much independence as possible.
Caring for the carer
Looking after someone with dementia is rewarding but often demanding. As a carer, it is easy to put your own needs last, but doing so can lead to burnout, stress and poor health. Taking care of yourself is not selfish. It is essential.
Try to stay connected with friends, talk openly with family and consider joining a local or online support group. Sharing your experiences with others who understand can provide emotional relief and practical advice.
Build small moments of self-care into your day. A quiet walk, a book, a phone call or whatever helps you feel more grounded. If you are struggling, speak to your GP or a professional for support. There are services in place to help you, too.
Remember, your well-being directly affects the person you care for. By looking after yourself, you are also looking after them.
Carers UK offers a wealth of resources and services for carers.
How Country Cousins can help
Dementia is a complex illness. Even the smallest changes to one’s daily routine can cause unnecessary stress. This is why more and more families are relying on our dementia home care services as opposed to placing their loved ones within residential care homes.
As one of the UK’s leading dementia home care agencies, our nationwide team of carers are well-versed in supporting people with dementia, allowing them to live an independent life at home.
With our advanced live-in care and support, you can rest assured that we will do everything we can to ensure that carers are placed in long-term assignments, minimising the anxiety associated with someone constantly coming and going from the home.
Talk to our team today
We are the UK’s longest-serving introductory live-in care agency, having provided bespoke live-in care to those who need it in their own homes since 1959.
Call our experienced team today on 01293 224706 to discuss your live-in home care needs and receive a free, no obligation quotation.
