Stay positive
Welcome to Stay positive. This section is about how you can remain positive and maintain a sense of hope amid a sometimes challenging situation. Here is Julia, former family carer, and Professor Linda Clare, researcher at the University of Exeter, to introduce this section:
Julia – former family carer
Click on the image below to watch the video.
Professor Linda Clare – researcher at the University of Exeter
Click on the image below to watch the video.
A sense of humour helps me to cope. Doing all the things we do – those are the positive aspects, and having a routine stops us from being negative about it. You make your own positives.
A person with dementia talking to our researchers
Top Tips for Staying positive
- Keep doing the things you enjoy, as much as possible.
- If you feel anxious or agitated, try some breathing or relaxation exercises, or listen to some soothing music.
- Focus on what you can do and use the skills you have.
- If you’re finding things hard, talk to someone about it. Talking through how you’re feeling will also help you understand what’s happening.
- Keep track of the good days – a simple chart of things which have gone well can
remind you of the good times when you’re finding it hard.
Stay positive resources:
Adjusting to a diagnosis
A diagnosis of dementia inspires many emotions. On this page, people explain how they found hope and the motivation to keep living their lives.
Talking honestly about dementia
This page discusses the importance of talking openly and honestly about dementia. You'll also meet Daithì who talks about living with dementia as a gender variant person.
Good days and bad days
How do you strike a balance between staying positive and knowing that some things are very hard? This page helps to consider that question.
Where to read good news
The news can be a source of worry, but there are places where you can find only positive stories – we’ve gathered them here.
Real-life positive stories
We’ve gathered together a collection of real-life stories from Our DEEP News from people living with dementia. We also show you where to find this monthly newsletter.
The role of the carer
Aimed at carers, this resource explores the mixed emotions around caring and understanding how they affect the experience of caring.
Sharing is caring
Carers gain a lot from sharing their experience with other carers. In a collaboration with blogger DementiaWho!, this resource looks at ways to connect with other carers.
Feeling positive about ageing
This varied resource looks into attitudes towards ageing and the impact these have on both dementia and general positivity.
Dealing with grief and loss
This page offers dementia-specific advice on these difficult topics. Videos with Clinical Psychologists explore the issues carefully.
Maintaining relationships
This resource looks at the importance of and difficulties of personal relationships. As well as key tips, this links to further resources to help.
Ideas for happy days
In our competition-winning resource, 16-year-old Raina introduces 4 different activities to keep you smiling, and teaches you how to relax to get ready.
Random acts of kindness
Be introduced to the Foundation which wants to ‘make kindness the norm’. We link you to lots of inspiring resources.