In plain English
The first month after a dementia diagnosis is the right time to address the practical priorities that are far harder to do later. This checklist sets out a realistic, week-by-week plan that families consistently find useful.
The principle
You do not need to do everything at once. The actions below are sequenced for most families and can be adjusted to suit yours. Each step is small. The cumulative effect, over four weeks, is that the legal, medical and practical foundations are in place by the time the busier middle phase of the diagnosis begins.
Week 1: understand, share and contact
- Read the assessment letter together with someone you trust. Note any wording you do not understand. Look up the ICD-11 code.
- Share the letter with your GP so it is on the record.
- Call the Alzheimer's Society Dementia Connect Support Line (0333 150 3456) for an initial conversation; they can signpost to local services.
- Take any medication that has been prescribed, exactly as directed; note any side effects in the first week.
- Tell two trusted people. You will decide later who else to tell and when.
Week 2: the legal and financial foundations
- Begin a Lasting Power of Attorney application, online via GOV.UK or with a solicitor. Both health and finance, while capacity is intact.
- Review or write a will if needed.
- Check eligibility for Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Carer's Allowance and Council Tax reduction; see benefits.
- Notify the DVLA and your motor insurer.
Week 3: vascular and lifestyle MOT
- Book a vascular risk review with your GP: blood pressure, lipid profile, HbA1c, smoking and alcohol.
- Begin a realistic exercise programme: brisk walking 30 minutes a day is a good starting point. See exercise.
- Make three Mediterranean-style swaps to your diet. See diet and nutrition.
- Confirm hearing aids and glasses are working and used.
Week 4: services, environment and routine
- Identify a local Memory Cafe and a Singing for the Brain group, via the Alzheimer's Society directory.
- Request a Carer's Assessment from your local council if you are providing regular care.
- Make simple home safety adjustments: smoke alarm test, hob safety, hot water temperature, key safe, hallway lighting.
- Establish a weekly routine with regular meals, exercise, daylight exposure and social contact.
- If clinically indicated, book a follow-up with your memory clinic in 6 months; sooner if symptoms change.
What to expect emotionally
The first month often includes a mixture of relief (at finally having an explanation), anxiety, anger, grief and practical determination. All of these are normal. Anticipatory grief, the grief for changes that have not yet happened, is common and rarely talked about.
Support is available: the Alzheimer's Society Talking Point online community, the Dementia UK Admiral Nurse Helpline, and your GP. Asking for help early is a strength, not a weakness.
Telling family and friends
There is no single right way. Most people start small (close family, one or two friends) and widen the circle over weeks. Practical pointers are on the telling family and friends page.
Where The Dementia Service fits in
If your initial assessment was on the NHS and you would like a structured review, or if you want a private assessment, The Dementia Service typically offers an appointment within a few weeks. The structured letter goes to your GP and supports continued care.
Frequently asked questions
Is this checklist suitable for MCI as well?
Yes. Most of the steps apply equally to MCI and Mild Neurocognitive Disorder, with the exception of anti-dementia medication, which is not indicated in MCI.
What if I am overwhelmed?
Pace yourself. The most important first step is the Lasting Power of Attorney. Everything else can follow.
Do I have to tell my employer?
Where the diagnosis affects work or where you wish to use Equality Act rights to reasonable adjustments. Most people find the conversation more positive than feared. See work and employment.
What if I disagree with the diagnosis?
A second opinion is reasonable. Discuss with your GP, request a referral to a regional cognitive disorders clinic, or seek a private memory clinic assessment.
Will I need to stop driving immediately?
Not necessarily. Driving may continue after DVLA review and, where indicated, a practical driving assessment. See driving and the DVLA.
References
- NICE NG97: Dementia, assessment, management and support.
- Alzheimer's Society. Just diagnosed.
- Office of the Public Guardian. Make a Lasting Power of Attorney.
- DVLA. Notify a medical condition that affects driving.