Staying healthy with dementia

Living with dementia can bring a range of challenges, so it’s important for a person with the diagnosis to look after their health and wellbeing so they can stay as physically and mentally well as possible. Small changes, such as eating well, keeping up with medical appointments and taking part in physical activity, can have a significant impact on their quality of life. Our specialist Admiral Nurses provide advice on staying healthy with dementia.

The importance of staying healthy with dementia

While there is no cure for dementia, taking steps to stay healthy can have a positive impact on the person’s quality of life. For example, being physically active can help them retain their mobility so they can maintain their independence. Eating well can reduce the risks of other health conditions that could make their dementia symptoms worse. And making sure they have social contact can reduce the risk of loneliness and provide mental stimulation to keep the brain active.

Eating and drinking

A healthy, balanced diet will help to keep the person with dementia in good physical health. It will reduce the risk of developing or worsening conditions like diabetes, heart disease and stroke, which may have an impact on their symptoms. It will also help them maintain a healthy weight.

For most people, a healthy diet includes:

• fruit and vegetables – aim for at least five portions a day
• starchy food like bread, rice, pasta and potatoes – these should make up around a third of the person’s daily diet
• lean meat/meat substitutes and other sources of protein, eg poultry, fish, eggs, beans and pulses, and vegetarian/vegan alternatives.
• Try to limit processed meat like sausages, bacon and ham
• dairy or dairy alternatives, eg milk, cheese, yoghurt, fromage frais, soya milk
• small amounts of fats, oils and spreads – ideally unsaturated versions such as vegetable, sunflower or olive oil

Food and drinks that are high in fat, sugar or salt – such as crisps, cakes, sweets, biscuits, butter, ice cream and sugary soft drinks – should be consumed less often and in smaller amounts.

Following the NHS Eatwell Guide

The NHS Eatwell Guide is a helpful tool for following a healthy diet. It breaks down what types of food are in each food group and how much the person should eat on a day-to-day basis.

Staying hydrated

Many people with dementia are prone to dehydration, often because they don’t recognise the signs of thirst or forget to drink. It’s important to help the person stay hydrated by encouraging them to drink 1.5 litres of fluid a day (about six to eight glasses). This can include water, hot drinks, squash, fruit juice and milk. Foods that are high in fluids, such as custard, jelly, yoghurt, ice cream, soup and casseroles, can also be helpful in staying hydrated, especially for a person who finds it hard to drink.

Read more about staying hydrated.

Dementia and alcohol

While many people with dementia enjoy an alcoholic drink, it’s best to keep alcohol to a minimum as it can worsen confusion and increase the likelihood of falls. There are many good alternatives, including low-or zero-alcohol wine, beer and spirits, and mocktails. Find out more about the connection between alcohol and dementia.

Dementia-inclusive approaches to mealtimes

Making mealtimes calm and enjoyable is an important way to make sure that the person you are caring for stays nourished and hydrated. Ways to create a relaxed and positive atmosphere include:

• eating in a room that is calm and familiar
• clearing the eating space of any clutter
• reducing distractions, although some people find gentle background noise like music or the radio relaxing
• eating together to make mealtimes sociable and enjoyable
• focusing on providing food and drinks you know they like
• making sure there is no rush to eat
• giving practical support if needed, such as cutting up the person’s food or providing adapted cutlery

Dementia UK’s eating and drinking guide

Our information on eating and drinking for people with dementia provides helpful tips to help you support the person you care for with eating, drinking and weight management.

Keeping physically active with dementia

As far as possible, a person with dementia should be supported to be physically active. Exercise has physical health benefits, can boost mood and often provides vital social contact.

Benefits of regular movement

Some of the benefits of regular physical movement include:

• improving muscle strength, which will help the person manage everyday tasks and maintain their independence for as long as possible
• keeping bones strong and reducing the risk of fractures if the person falls
• improving hand-eye communication so tasks like writing, eating and dressing are easier
• reducing the risk of depression and anxiety
• providing opportunities to socialise with others, for example at sports clubs, exercise classes or just by going for a walk

Types of suitable exercise

The type of exercise the person does will depend on their physical and mental abilities, but good options include:

• walking/dog walking
• running
• swimming
• cycling
• yoga
• Pilates
• Tai Chi
• group exercise classes, eg Zumba, keep fit or aqua aerobics
• dancing
• housework and gardening

In some areas, there are specific fitness activities for people with dementia, such as dementia-friendly exercise classes or swimming sessions – contact your local leisure centre to see what is available.

People with young onset dementia (where symptoms develop before the age of 65) in particular may be fit and active. If they like to run or cycle but may become confused or disorientated if they go out alone, teaming up with an exercise buddy or joining a club can be helpful.

Adapting activity for different stages of dementia

Too much physical activity can be tiring for a person living with dementia, so it is important to strike a balance and make sure you allow regular rest breaks and recovery time.

If the person with dementia feels anxious or disoriented when going out alone, or would be vulnerable, going with them or asking another family member or friend to be an exercise buddy can be helpful.

As the person’s condition progresses, you may need to adapt their activities to suit their changing physical and mental abilities. For example, going swimming at quieter times may be beneficial if they find loud and busy spaces overwhelming, or joining an exercise class specifically for people with dementia might suit them if they struggle to follow instructions.

If the person with dementia has mobility problems, you can still support them to take gentle exercise, for example chair-based exercises, stretches, or just a walk around the house or garden.

Looking after the person’s mental wellbeing

Mental health is just as important as physical health. Mood changes are common in people with dementia, but ensuring the person receives mental and emotional support will help them live as well as possible with the diagnosis.

If the person is experiencing ongoing low mood or anxiety, please speak to their GP. It is often thought that people with dementia cannot experience anxiety or depression, but this is not the case, so don’t put off seeking support.

The importance of routine and purpose

Following a consistent daily and weekly routine can help the person feel settled and understand what to expect, reducing confusion and avoiding unpredictable events that might cause distress.

Staying socially connected

Maintaining social contact is important for the person’s mental health. This could include spending time with family, friends and pets; taking part in groups and activities (either general community groups or those for people with dementia); visiting day centres or memory cafés; going on day trips; or being supported by a volunteer or befriender.

You might need to adapt social situations so they are easier to manage – for example, you could scale down gatherings to a few people at a time or provide a quiet ‘breakaway’ space at larger get-togethers like weddings.

Cognitive stimulation

Taking part in meaningful activities can help the person maintain their independence, use their skills and do something they enjoy while keeping their mind active. Some activities may need to be adapted to suit the person’s abilities (for example, listening to audiobooks may be easier than reading) but activities that bring them joy and engage their brain will contribute to better mental wellbeing.

Everyday living and maintaining independence

Support the person to maintain their independence with everyday living activities, including their employment if they still work. Concentrate on their strengths rather than on their limitations. Focus on achievable daily goals (eg, “Today, I will do the shopping”), not ambitious long-term ones.

You might need to look at ways to adapt the person’s home to make it as safe and comfortable as possible and make it easier for them to manage independently.

Managing sleep and rest

While sleep disturbances are common in people with dementia, getting enough sleep is important for the person’s overall health, as well as helping them manage their symptoms. A lack of sleep can impact concentration, mood and cognitive function. Try our tips to encourage healthy sleep habits.

Staying on top of healthcare

Dementia may make it harder for someone to manage their own healthcare. It may also mean that health issues go unnoticed for longer, for example if the person has difficulty communicating that they feel unwell or in pain.

Managing existing conditions, regular check-ups and medication reviews

It is important for the person with dementia to attend regular check-ups for any conditions such as diabetes or heart disease, take their prescribed medications and ensure these are reviewed when necessary. You can discuss ways to help them stay independent with their healthcare with their GP or pharmacist, for example by using technology for medication reminders and pre-filled pill dispensers.

Support the person to attend GP appointments and any other health screening they are invited to, for example blood pressure monitoring, blood tests, breast screening and bowel cancer screening. Help them keep up to date with dental, hearing and eyesight checks, and make sure they receive flu and Covid jabs if they are eligible. You can also speak to their GP about whether they can receive shingles and pneumonia vaccines.

Preventing infections and recognising early signs

Many people with dementia are more prone to infections. This could be for a number of reasons, for example difficulty with staying hydrated, leading to urinary tract infections (UTIs), or struggling with personal hygiene which could cause any broken skin to become infected.

To help the person stay on top of their health, look out for signs of illness and changes in physical health, memory, concentration or mood. Make sure you seek advice from a GP if there are any concerns about their health.

Sources of support

To speak to a dementia specialist Admiral Nurse about staying healthy or any other aspect of dementia, please call our Helpline on 0800 888 6678 (Monday to Friday 9am-9pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm), email helpline@dementiauk.org or book a phone or video call appointment with an Admiral Nurse.

Dementia UK resources

• Advance care planning
• Creating a life story
• Dementia and sleep
• Young onset dementia support services
• Eating and drinking for a person with dementia
• Good hydration for a person with dementia
• Lasting power of attorney
• Making the home safe and comfortable for a person with dementia
• The emotional impact of a dementia diagnosis