Advice

Dealing with feelings of sadness when you have dementia

The challenges of living with dementia mean that it’s understandable to feel low sometimes. 

None of us feels happy all the time, but there are things that bring hope and joy. 

Share and connect 

Is there someone you’d feel comfortable talking to about your thoughts and feelings? 

Feeling listened to helps in itself, and it can provide ideas and perspective. Perhaps you could speak to a counsellor or therapist. 

Time with friends and family can boost our mood, as can making new friends.

Are there things you’d enjoy doing with particular people? Watching sports, sharing a meal, joining a Singing for the Brain group? 

Active and well 

Regular physical activity often makes us feel good, whether it’s gentle or vigorous. So does enjoying nature and the outdoors. 

Eating a wide range of healthy foods, and not drinking too much alcohol or caffeine, also helps us to feel well. 

Some people find that a regular routine means there’s always something to look forward to. 

Doing something useful provides a sense of purpose too. That could include household tasks or helping others in your community. 

Kind to you 

Could less clutter and better lighting at home help prevent everyday frustrations? Would having somewhere to sit with an outside view minimise stress? What could work for you? 

It’s OK to have more energy some days than others – give yourself the time and space you need. 

Speak to your GP if you’re feeling low for a long time or it’s affecting your everyday activities.

Your tips for when you’re feeling low

Tracey Lane says,

‘Keep as busy as possible. I’m very grateful, as near me I have Singing for the Brain, tea dance, living with dementia meetings and an activity group. 

And when I don’t have anything to go to, I like to dance at home with my favourite music on and do lots of housework.

Margaret Gloster says,

‘Playing with the dog and having a cuddle with him. 

‘We’ve also got a lot of old TV programmes on catch-up and recordings. Things like Morecambe and Wise, Keeping Up Appearances – shows you can watch repeatedly. It’s enjoying them for their own sake, but also for the nostalgia. 

And you make a lot of new memories getting out, doing things like the Good Company dance project in Brentwood. We look at videos we’ve made doing them.

Peds Lyttle says,

‘I go for a walk – it makes me realise how lucky I am, that I can still appreciate nature. And you speak to other dog walkers when you’ve got a dog. When I’ve come back, I feel a lot better. 

I do a bit of sketching too. It doesn’t have to be a Picasso – no one else needs to see it! It’s a very calming, relaxing thing.

David Joseph says,

‘When I was diagnosed, I was shocked to the core. I became sad about myself and my predicament. I tried to hide all this from my wife. 

‘I began to realise how generous and strong she was. 

She acted as an example to me, living each day to the fullest, and doing whatever we could to surmount the problem through the joy of life and humour.