In my darkest despair I felt I had nothing to offer, I would eventually become an immense burden on my wife and family. I discussed this on my video Getting to Know Me Part 1. How could I be of service to other when I have Lewy Body Dementia.
Don’t Multitask – First according to science it doesn’t really exist, but we all think we can do it. Complexity is the worst thing for a person with dementia.
Project and hobby are great ways to pass the time and exercise the brain. It is best that you work on a hobby that is not too much work mentally, but still this is the time to begin a project or a hobby that give you joy.
In my house shows that have violence of any kind have been off the table for a long time. I used to love Sci Fi and Action Movies, but now the violence just ramps up my anxiety. My advice is find entertainment that makes you laugh.
Walking is a very positive exercise that everyone with dementia should do. It is recommended to walk at least 150 min. per week. So get started - go for a walk.
First, savor your food, eat slowly, take in the aroma. Stop thinking about food as fuel. Food and dinning together is life. Make eating an event to be shared.
Read / Listen to books that answer questions about life, God, or people that can help you stay positive. Like me, you may have been a science fiction reader, or a war history reader, or murder mysteries. My strong advice is STOP reading these types of books. Dementia and especially LBD can cause people to be violent and angry, and reading this type of material feeds that feeling and a sense of anxiety.
Like all of us, we have appointments and things we must do. Don’t get bogged down with things that are not important, like email or Facebook that can take you down a rabbit hole or worse, upset you. I know this is hard; I do it too often too, the trick is to prioritize.
Wake Up Early – If possible, enjoy the sunrise. Take in the quiet, enjoy the slow pace of the early morning. Use this time to meditate, give thanks to God, there is always something to be thankful about. If you're keeping a journal, write, and of course exercise.
Living Positively with LBD or any form of dementia is about putting action to each day. Making the choice to do things that matter, things that effect your sprit in a way that feeds your positive energy. Here are ten way to get you started.