So normal BP is 120/80, but does it make sense over 60?
So, if you are over 60 please share with us to help really get a better understanding.
I am 63 with Dementia. I track what I eat and I exercise 4 times a week, with Weights, Cardio, and Martial Arts.
My average BP is 127/79 for last 5 months. My weakness is Salt, I average 2,200 per day. No medications.
How about you?
One thing I’ve learned while living with dementia is how important alarms and timers can be. They are not just reminders — they can be safety tools.
On numerous occasions, I have forgotten to shut off water faucets, and I know many others deal with similar things like forgetting the stove, oven, coffee pot, or even medication times. It can happen so easily, and sometimes we don’t realize it until much later.
Using alarms on phones, smart speakers, watches, kitchen timers, or even sticky note reminders has helped me a lot. Something as simple as setting a timer every time you turn on the stove or start running water can prevent accidents and give peace of mind.
I wanted to share this because sometimes we feel embarrassed when these things happen, but we shouldn’t. Dementia changes how the brain handles memory and attention, and using tools to help ourselves is smart — not weakness.
If anyone else has tips, routines, or reminder systems that help keep you safe at home, I’d love to hear them. Maybe we can help each other.
You are not alone in this journey.
One thing people rarely talk about in dementia groups is sex, intimacy, and the need for human connection.
When someone is living with dementia, people start focusing on medications, memory loss, appointments, and safety. Somewhere along the way, others forget we are still human beings.
We still want:
Dementia changes a lot of things, but it does not automatically erase intimacy.
For some couples, dementia changes their relationship completely. For others, physical touch becomes even more important because words and memory become harder. Sometimes holding hands, cuddling, or simply laying beside someone becomes the safest feeling in the world.
And yes… sometimes sex itself changes too.
That can be difficult to talk about:
Families often avoid this topic because it makes them uncomfortable. But avoiding it can leave people feeling lonely and ashamed.
The truth is:
People living with dementia still deserve dignity, love, intimacy, and respect.
This topic also comes with hard conversations about consent, boundaries, changing behaviors, and emotional needs. Those conversations matter too, and they should be handled with compassion instead of judgment.
Maybe if we talked more openly about intimacy and dementia, fewer people would feel alone.
What has your experience been with intimacy, affection, or connection after dementia entered your life?
One of the hardest things about dementia is hearing:
“But you seem fine.”
“You don’t look like you have dementia.”
“You’re doing really well.”
I know people usually mean it as a compliment. They’re trying to be kind. But what many people don’t see is the amount of work it takes just to appear “fine.”
What they don’t see are the notes everywhere.
The routines.
The constant mental checking.
The exhaustion after social situations.
The anxiety when words disappear.
The fear of forgetting something important.
The effort it takes to stay organized and hold yourself together.
And honestly, most of us probably wouldn’t be around people on our worst days anyway. When the confusion, frustration, or memory problems are stronger, we often pull back. People usually see us during the moments we’re managing the best we can.
Movies and TV have also shaped what people think dementia looks like. Many assume it’s only someone who can’t remember family members or someone completely disconnected from reality. But dementia is not one single story.
Some people function independently.
Some still work.
Some can hold conversations well.
Some mask symptoms incredibly hard.
Some decline quickly.
Some decline slowly.
Some have good days and terrible days in the same week.
Every person with dementia experiences it differently.
Please understand:
Just because someone seems okay for an hour doesn’t mean they aren’t fighting a battle every single day behind the scenes.
What helps most is not judgment or disbelief.
It’s patience.
It’s listening.
It’s understanding.
It’s asking, “How are you really doing?”
It’s recognizing the effort someone is making just to keep going.
Many of us are working harder than people realize just to stay connected to the world around us.
And sometimes, simply being seen and believed means everything.
In my daily life with dementia, to-do lists are everything. I write down even the smallest tasks—brushing teeth, shaving, making the bed. While these may seem automatic to others, for me, each checked box is a win. To-do lists give me structure and a sense of control when things can feel uncertain. Every task is a reminder that I’m still accomplishing something every day. If you’re in a similar boat, know that even the simplest list can help you feel grounded and proud. What’s on your list today?
In my daily life with dementia, to-do lists are everything. I write down even the smallest tasks—brushing teeth, shaving, making the bed. While these may seem automatic to others, for me, each checked box is a win. To-do lists give me structure and a sense of control when things can feel uncertain. Every task is a reminder that I’m still accomplishing something every day. If you’re in a similar boat, know that even the simplest list can help you feel grounded and proud. What’s on your list today?
One of the hardest parts of living with dementia is feeling left out.
Family members have their own lives, their own stress, jobs, kids, health problems, and responsibilities. I understand that. Life is hard for everyone.
But dementia is a daily fight too.
Every single day takes work.
Work to remember.
Work to stay organized.
Work to keep emotions together.
Work to not feel embarrassed when words disappear or thoughts get mixed up.
Sometimes people only see the outside.
They don’t see how hard you are fighting internally just to hold things together.
And after awhile, when calls slow down, invitations stop, or conversations become shorter, you start to feel invisible.
Not because your family stopped loving you… but because dementia slowly changes the way people interact with you.
I think many of us living with dementia don’t expect perfection from family.
We just want to feel remembered. Included. Seen.
Sometimes a simple “How are you really doing?” can mean everything.
It would be nice if people recognized the strength it takes to wake up every day and keep pushing forward while your mind fights against you.
To everyone out there dealing with dementia quietly:
I see your fight. And I know how hard you are working just to keep it together.
Our new Highlander we use for casual drive for weekends. We love our car.
This past weekend we got stuck in a traffic jam and we got over heating issue.
Air went out and we were stuck.
The cool thing was that it called the dealership and they knew exactly what was wrong. They unplugged the fan for a recent recall fix and never plugged it back in. The person said they have to unplug it for the repair, but they have been forgetting to plug it back in. We were able to get out of the jam and pull off and plug it back in once it cool down.
Hopefully there is no long term damage, but check if you have a recent recall repair.
The good thing the person from dealership sent pictures and stayed on the line until it was back going. My wife mentioned why haven’t they called people who had the recent update and worn them, since we weren’t the first for this issue.
Today was hard. A situation at the place I volunteer became so stressful that I almost quit. That would be a huge loss for me, because outside of my small family, those are some of the only people I regularly interact with.
What stuck with me most was wondering if the person yelling at me would have treated me the same way if they knew I have dementia. Sometimes people only see hesitation, confusion, or silence — not the effort it takes just to keep going and stay involved.
I’m still here, still trying, and still hoping for understanding and kindness.
*Note AI helped me write this.
A year ago, I never imagined I would be talking to AI every day.
Living with dementia means I lose track of thoughts, forget what I was doing, struggle finding words, and sometimes feel overwhelmed trying to keep life organized. It can make you feel isolated even when people love you.
What surprised me most is how much AI has helped me stay grounded.
I use it to help organize my thoughts, write emails when my brain gets stuck, remember tasks, and even sort through emotions when things feel too heavy. Some days it helps me communicate better with my wife because I can explain what I’m trying to say before frustration takes over.
It doesn’t replace people.
It doesn’t replace doctors or family.
But for me, it fills in gaps that dementia creates.
One of the biggest things it gives me is patience.
I never feel rushed, embarrassed, or judged for asking the same thing twice.
That matters more than I can explain.
I know technology scares some people, especially in health spaces, but I honestly believe AI can become a powerful tool for people dealing with memory loss, caregivers under stress, and families trying to understand each other better.
For me, it has become part notebook, part assistant, part sounding board, and sometimes just a calm place to land when my brain feels scrambled.
I’d be curious:
Have any of you used AI tools while dealing with dementia, caregiving, ADHD, anxiety, or memory challenges?
Has it helped, or do you have concerns about it?
Hey everyone,
One thing we all learn pretty quickly on this journey is how much stress affects everything—mood, memory, communication, and even physical health.
So let’s talk about it.
What Helps Reduce Stress?
Sometimes it’s the small things that make the biggest difference:
For Caregivers (That’s You Too ❤️)
Your stress matters just as much.
A Gentle Reminder
Not every moment needs to be fixed. Sometimes peace comes from meeting the moment where it is, not where we wish it was.
💬 Let’s share:
What’s one thing that helps you lower stress during a tough moment?
Welcome to the Community 💙
Hey everyone! I’m u/unknown322Batman, one of the founding moderators of r/EverydayWithDementia.
This is a space dedicated to real life with dementia — whether you’re living with it, caring for someone who is, or just trying to better understand the journey. We’re really glad you’re here.
What to Post
This is your place to share what matters to you. That could be:
If it could help even one person feel less alone, it belongs here.
Community Vibe
We’re building a space that’s kind, patient, and judgment-free.
Dementia affects everyone differently, so respect and understanding go a long way here.
No one has to have all the answers — we’re figuring this out together.
How to Get Started
If you’re interested in helping shape this community, we’d love to have more moderators — just reach out.
Thanks for being here at the beginning.
Let’s build something that truly helps people 💙
I’m going to say something that might not be popular, but I believe it matters:
Hard workouts are incredibly important when you’re dealing with dementia.
I’m not talking about a casual walk around the block.
I mean pushing yourself — running, martial arts, weight training — the kind of workout where you’re going for an hour or more and you feel it.
Why?
Because dementia takes control away from you in so many ways.
A hard workout is one of the few places you can take some of that control back.
When I really push myself:
- My mind feels sharper afterward
- The anxiety quiets down
- I feel stronger mentally, not just physically
- I prove to myself I can still do hard things
It’s not easy. Some days it’s the last thing I want to do.
But those are usually the days I need it the most.
This isn’t about being an athlete or in perfect shape.
It’s about effort. Real effort.
About reminding yourself:
“I’m still here, and I’m still fighting.”
Curious—does anyone else push themselves like this? What kind of hard workouts help you?
