What I would like to tell people with a new dementia diagnosis

• First thing, accept the diagnosis and try hard not to deny it. 

• Get into the daily habit of making reminder notes in a small notebook. 

• Note down things you’ve done in your life that made you happy in your notebook. Be sure not to worry about repeating happy things you have done in your life. Hopefully you will be comforted by those memories. 

• Don't be too concerned when you see fellow group members that are at later stages of dementia. Try hard to accept it with tolerance and have empathy for others. 

• Attend group meetings, as many times as possible. It really does help. 

• Acknowledge that not all words of guidance will apply to you, such are the number of variations.  

• Use the phrase "forget me not" more often. (Upbeat and sounds good) I recommend listening to the song “I forgot to remember to forget you”. You could also find a song of your own to relate to your experiences. 

• At the point of dementia diagnosis deliverance, the majority of DASH members feel they are hearing their connection with dementia for the first time i.e. what is dementia? Perhaps there should be a "teaching and understanding" of the subject aimed at new dementia patients. Perhaps have a mobile practitioner (someone like me) with experience of dementia and combined with professional support. That progression would be living evidence that there is a positive way forward for dementia professionals.

David, living with Alzheimer's Disease