Dementia: High Ideas for supporting somebody at Christmas

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Vibrant decorations, carol singing, exchanging items, and catching up with family and friends – it’s all a part of what makes this time of yr particular for therefore many. Christmas ought to be joyful, however sadly for the 900,000 folks dwelling with dementia the festive interval could be a actually difficult time.

One in three folks born within the UK in the present day will go onto develop dementia of their lifetime and at the moment 900,000 folks within the UK reside with the situation.

This Christmas, Alzheimer’s Society is offering assist and hope to everybody affected by dementia, gifting them with the information, help and steerage they should assist everybody really feel included.

Right here Angelo Makri, Alzheimer’s Society’s Senior Information Officer for Wellbeing, offers his high tricks to supporting a beloved one dwelling with dementia through the festive interval.

1) Put up decorations step by step

All of us love Christmas decorations however a sudden change in surroundings may be complicated and distressing for somebody dwelling with dementia. Introduce decorations step by step so it doesn’t come as a shock to the individual dwelling with dementia.

2) Hold it easy and acquainted

For somebody dwelling with dementia, Christmas may be an awesome time, however conserving actions low-key might assist the one you love keep relaxed. For instance, if the one you love often goes to midnight mass however is unable to this yr, contemplate alternate options reminiscent of a televised or on-line service. If they’ve dinner on the similar time daily, keep on with the identical timings at Christmas and in a well-known setting.

3) Get everybody concerned

There are many methods to get the one you love concerned in Christmas, such asking them to hold a bauble on a tree, selecting a favorite track for a festive playlist or doing a spot of Christmas procuring.

4) Create a quiet space

A lot of company over the festive season may be overwhelming for folks with dementia. If issues do get busy, designate one room a ‘quiet house’, the place the individual dwelling with dementia can retreat to and chill out in.

5) Convey again previous recollections

Treasured pictures, songs or actions may be an effective way to interact with folks with dementia. Take trip of the busy day to sit down down together with your family members and reminisce. Nonetheless, be conscious that there could also be occasions or recollections the individual might not want to reminisce about.

6) Be conscious of meals

A plateful of meals may be daunting for somebody who has difficulties consuming. Attempt to maintain to the identical measurement parts and forms of meals the individual usually likes. If they like finger meals to a big meal, contemplate methods to accommodate this. Don’t hurry the individual, give them sufficient time to eat and luxuriate in themselves.

7) Be versatile

It’s straightforward to get caught up in Christmas traditions and the way issues have all the time been finished within the household, however your festive season would possibly start to look completely different as dementia progresses. It’s all the time price having a ‘plan B’ and be ready to vary your plans if a specific component isn’t working.

8) Plan forward

If the individual with dementia resides in a care residence, it may be useful to ask the house upfront what their plans are for Christmas Day, notably if there are restrictions in place.

Planning may permit for staggered visits through the day so the individual just isn’t overwhelmed with a number of guests without delay.

Alzheimer’s Society supplies assist and hope to everybody dwelling with dementia, supporting folks dwelling with dementia by means of the hardest and most horrifying occasions. For extra data and help this Christmas, go to alzheimers.org.uk/Christmas or name 0333 150 3456.