Working

If you have not reached retirement age, then you could still be working at the time that you have had your Dementia diagnosed. This does not necessarily mean that you will need to give up working immediately, but this will depend on what you do for a living, how much you feel able to cope, to what extent your work will be affected, and current laws / regulations.

Considerations

There are many things to consider regarding your work if you have a diagnosis of Dementia. If you drive as part of your job, then under the DVLA regulations, you will need to be assessed before your driving licence is renewed, even for a temporary period of time. It is your obligation to inform the DVLA of your diagnosis, and they will then decide what happens next. Until they have officially renewed your driving licence, you should not drive or operate a motor vehicle. If you drive a LGV (lorry), or PCV (bus / coach), then it is very likely that your licence will not be renewed due to the public liabilities should an accident occur. In any instance, please contact the DVLA to get your personal situation clarified regarding Dementia and driving. There is also further guidance on this in the 'Driving and Dementia' section of this website.

You may also consider whether it is safe to continue to do your job. If your job involves operating dangerous machinery, or covers any life critical procedures, (such as a surgeon, fireman, or air traffic controller), it will inevitably mean that you will eventually need to stop working. This will depend on the progression of your Dementia, and the ways in which it affects your performance in the job. Different types of Dementia will produce varying symptoms that will affect individuals in many varied ways. In these circumstances, the best option is to inform your employer and take guidance from there.

Benefits

If your employer is happy for you to continue to work, even if only on a temporary basis, then it should have some positive effects on your lifestyle in general. Keeping busy, maintaining your usual routine, and regularly practicing your work skills, (whether they are mental or physical), will certainly help retain those skills for a longer period of time than if you stopped using them after your diagnosis. Also the social interaction with your work colleagues will keep your mind more alert and reinforce your language and communication skills.

Your Decision

As mentioned previously in this section, you may be forced to stop working depending on your job or your employer's working regulations. If you have the option, it will certainly be of benefit to you if you remain active and working. If you are at any time in doubt as to whether you should continue to do so, please seek additional advice from you local health professional or employer.