Your progress through all 5 stages
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Stage 1 · Understanding the Diagnosis
🧠 Know what you’ve been told — and what it means
Early stage dementia guide, understanding diagnosis types
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It’s okay to not fully understand yet. Dementia diagnoses come with a lot of medical language, and nobody expects you to absorb it all in one day. This stage is simply about getting clear on the basics — so you can start making decisions with confidence.
The word “dementia” can feel like a single diagnosis, but it’s actually an umbrella term. Knowing the specific type helps you find the most relevant information and support.
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Stage 2 · Talking to Family & Friends
👪 Share the news — in a way that actually helps
How to tell people and ask for the support you need
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Telling people is hard. You might worry about upsetting others, about being seen differently, or simply about finding the right words. There’s no perfect script — but having a plan makes it much easier. Go at the pace that feels right for you and the person you’re caring for.
You don’t need to have all the answers when you tell people. “We’re still finding things out” is a perfectly good thing to say. People often just want to know so they can support you — not to quiz you.
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Stage 3 · First Steps Checklist
📋 The essential tasks to tackle right away
Do these in the first few weeks — not all at once
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This is the practical bit — and it might feel like a lot. Don’t try to do everything in one go. Tick one or two of these each week. Getting these foundations in place now will save a great deal of stress later. The most important one is the first.
The LPA cannot be set up retrospectively. Once someone loses mental capacity, the only route is through the Court of Protection — which is far more expensive and time-consuming. Do this as soon as possible, even if everything seems fine right now.
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Stage 4 · Finding Support Services
🤝 You don’t have to do this alone — and you shouldn’t
UK resources, helplines and local support available to you now
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Asking for help is not giving up — it’s good planning. The earlier you connect with support services, the easier the journey ahead becomes. Many carers wait until they’re at breaking point before reaching out. You don’t have to.
You can call the Alzheimer’s Society helpline (0333 150 3456) even if you don’t have specific questions. Their staff are trained to talk to carers at exactly this stage — uncertain, a bit lost, not sure what to ask.
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Stage 5 · Your Wellbeing
💚 Taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity
What you need right now, as a person — not just a carer
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You’ve taken on something enormous. That deserves acknowledgement — not just more demands on yourself. The research on this is clear: carers who take care of their own health and wellbeing provide better care, for longer, with less burnout. This is not selfish. It is essential. Start here, even if just with one small thing.
Grief is a normal part of this. You may be grieving the person before the diagnosis, the life you’d planned, and losses that haven’t happened yet. All of that is real and valid. You don’t need to manage it alone or keep it together all the time.