dementia
Why eating well is important in dementia
We’re seeing new advice almost every day on how to prevent or delay dementia. It’s hard to know what to do for the best. A new review has taken a look at a wide range of current research to see if there is knowledge that we could use to help our parents – and ourselves […]
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Can an Admiral Nurse help in dementia care?
Written by Rebecca Lenton With dementia fast-becoming the most talked about condition in the UK, a disease which David Cameron describes as the ‘greatest enemy of humanity’, it’s important to know who can help should your parent or relative receive a diagnosis. Admiral Nurses have long been supporting families affected by dementia and continue to […]
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Could animal assisted therapy improve your parent’s health?
Written by Rebecca Lenton We explore the potential benefits of pet therapy as a way to relax and encourage our parents wherever they reside. As our parents get older, and perhaps begin to lose their friends and loved ones, they could start to feel lonely. With recent figures suggesting that loneliness is fast becoming an […]
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Who are occupational therapists and how can they help our family?
Many of us meet occupational therapists for the first time when we have an older relative preparing to leave hospital. It’s not a job title that gives much away but occupational therapists are there to help people carry on their lives as well as possible. So who are they and what do they do? Occupational […]
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The health benefits of plants for your parent
This week’s storyteller is Clare Long. Clare, founder of Granny Dodo’s Gardens, shares how flowers can be more than just gifts for our parents, they can also bring enjoyment and brighten up daily life in a care home. My grandparents had a wonderful garden, full of flowers that my grandmother (affectionately nicknamed Granny Dodo) created […]
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Enjoying nature and the outdoors with a family member with dementia
Being out in nature and sharing activity outside is something which brings immediate benefits to people living with dementia and we believe is a crucial part of “living well”. The outdoors is the original multi-sensory environment and we don’t need to be taught or learn how to connect with it. It is free and on […]
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Travelling with a parent who has dementia
There are over 100 different types of diagnosable dementia, from Alzheimer’s to vascular dementia. Each individual will face differing symptoms which means their care will have to be tailored to meet their individual needs. Despite the challenges, a holiday can be a rewarding experience for you and your parent as well as other family members. […]
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How to keep your parent safe and prevent wandering
Wandering can be a common problem as our parents get older and perhaps have mental health challenges to cope with. Dementia is often the cause of wandering in later life which brings its own difficulties in terms of managing your parent’s safety and independence. Whether your parent has developed a tendency to wander away from […]
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Caring for a dad with dementia, blindness and hearing loss
Written by Rebecca Lenton This week’s storyteller is Jacky. Another urgent call from mum but fortunately this one is less of a crisis than many others. Dad has walked unaided and sat himself in a low chair from which neither he nor mum can move him. When I arrive dad is singing a hymn at […]
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Expectations in dementia care
This week’s storyteller has chosen to be anonymous. It’s hard to know what to demand from a care home or how to achieve it. A daughter rates her mother’s experience. Alzheimer’s Society chief executive Jeremy Hughes told the BBC recently: “Society has such low expectations of care homes that people are settling for average. Throughout […]
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