Developing dementia at a younger age brings significant changes to your life and the lives of those who are close to you. Understanding and coming to terms with the impact that it has may be difficult and will take time. You might find it helpful to listen to others experiences of living with dementia. In the following short film Keith Oliver describes his experiences of living with young onset dementia
Keith Oliver https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPulwcrkcxA
Some younger people living with dementia have also written about their experiences, you can find these here; http://www.youngdementiauk.org/personal-stories-0
You might also find it useful to read or listen to the hints and tips about living with young onset dementia developed by a group of people living here in Worcestershire:
Hints and Tips on living well with young onset dementia a positive attitude
Hints and tips on living well help from others
Hints and Tips on living well Strategies
Information and support from those who are close to you and organisations who offer support to people with dementia are some of the ways that you can begin to adapt to the diagnosis and find ways of living well. Some organisations in Worcestershire can support you through this process. These include;
The Alzheimer’s Society in Worcestershire, contact
The Coach House
Main Road
Ombersley
Droitwich
Worcestershire
WR9 0EW
Tel: 01905 621 887 email: [email protected]
The Dementia Advice Service, Age UK Worcestershire, contact
Dementia Advice Service
Malvern Gate
Bromwich Road
Worcester
Tel: 0800 0086077 or email: [email protected]
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/herefordshireandworcestershire/support-services/dementia-advice/
You could also attend the Connection Point
This is a monthly meeting for people living with young onset dementia and their family members. Each month, representatives from the different organisations that support people living with young onset dementia in Worcestershire attend. You can arrange to speak with someone privately if you wish or take part in some of the activities that occur each month. Please see this flyer for further information
Furthermore, some websites may help you to find the information you need. These include;
Young Dementia UK www.youngdementiauk.org
Young Dementia UK is a charity that seeks to help people who live with young onset dementia including people with a diagnosis of dementia, family members and others who they might be close to. Their website provides a wide range of information that may be helpful. They have a section which explores what it means to live with young onset dementia. This includes links to;
- Personal stories of living with young onset dementia
- The emotional impact of a diagnosis
- The experience of telling family and friends about the diagnosis
- Working and volunteering
- Driving and travel
- Financial and legal issues
- Daily life
- Relationships
- Later stages of dementia
And the Alzheimer’s Society www.alzheimers.org.uk