Being diagnosed with dementia does not mean you have to lose your independence. The Alzheimer's Society have produced a guide that can helps if you are not sure what equipment may help you and is a good place to start.

Safety and personal care

There are lots of things you can do to help you live safely in your own home for as long as possible. Sometimes simple changes to your home environment can make things easier and safer, such as having better lighting and labelling cupboards.

There is lots of equipment to help you carry out daily tasks such as washing, dressing and eating.

Lifeline includes equipment that can:

• sense risks such as smoke, floods and gas
• can remind you to take pills
• call for help if you fall

Home adaptations may also help you. For example, putting handrails in the bathroom can make it easier to get in and out of the bath.

Continence

Someone who has dementia may forget to visit the toilet, or be unable to communicate their needs. The Alzheimer's Society have produced a guide to help manage toilet problems and incontinence.

Eating and drinking

Dementia can make eating and drinking difficult for a number of reasons, including loss of appetite, forgetting to eat and being unable to recognise food.

The Alzheimer's Society have produced a a guide to how dementia affects eating and drinking and has practical tips for carers to help support someone to eat and drink well.

Personal care in the home provides options for extra support to help you.

We have information about housing options if living at home is not possible.

Nuisance phone calls

The National Trading Standards Scam Team have secured government funding to provide free call blocking technology to protect those in the most vulnerable circumstances from nuisance and scam calls.

Getting out and about

Many people with dementia continue to drive and travel after being diagnosed. The Alzheimer's Society have a produced a guide to driving and dementia, which includes how to inform the DVLA.

Wessex Driveability can help if you would like an assessment to make sure you're okay to drive and that you are still driving safely.

The Alzheimer's Society has free 'help cards' for people with dementia. These are cards you can carry with you when you're out and can make it easier to get help. They allow you to record your name and contact details, and the details of someone close to you who can be contacted if you need help.

Our community transport directory may help you if you no longer drive and can't use public transport.

Memory Support and Advisory Service

The Memory Support and Advisory service can help you to stay independent and can support you by providing information, advice and guidance. The service is provided by the Alzheimer's Society and works closely with GPs, the team that diagnose dementia and other partner organisations.

Your GP can refer you to the Memory Support and Advisory Service.

You can also refer yourself to the service by contacting 0300 123 1916 or by email dorset@alzheimers.org.uk.