Enjoying the Festive Season - Top Tips for those Caring for a person with Dementia at Christmas time
Christmas can be a tricky time of year for many, and when caring for a person with dementia, it can be even trickier to navigate the busy Festive Season.
For that reason, I have asked some other carers who I work with for their top tips for enjoying the festive season.
Here’s what they came up with:
Keep to a routine
Feelings of safety come from knowing “what comes next”. Continue to do the usual things you do every day and introduce old and new traditions at a gentle, easy pace.
Explore which approach works best
Talk with family and friends about what the best approach to Christmas is; as well as discussing any worries or concerns. Taking into account what’s best for the person living with dementia. i.e. short visits where the person is involved and engaged in meaningful conversations/activities. Other ideas are finger foods, a quiet room, music, favourite films, reminiscing etc. This can help alleviate stress, reduce conflict and make the festive period run much smoother.
The Alzheimer’s Society have produced a short video and top tips on how small changes can make Christmas as dementia friendly as possible.
Reach out for support
Carers are equally as important as the person they support. Building an army of support from family, friends, neighbours, paid carers, cleaners, meal delivery etc. is so important. Then you can reach out and ask for things that would give much needed time for you, even if it’s a walk, shopping, sleep or seeing friends.
Respite
Have you had a Carers Assessment? These are either carried out by social services or a local carers organisation such as Carers Link Lancashire or N-Compass. This can lead to you being awarded a carer’s personal budget which can pay for you to have a break. Or you could buy a service privately from a care agency or by employing your own PA.
Talk to other carers
If it’s not possible for you to get a break, you may be able to get comfort and support by talking to other carers in similar circumstances. One way to do this over Christmas is to join online carers groups or forums such as Age UK Lancashire Dementia Hub. You can also use telephone helplines, but check their Christmas opening times. Here’s a couple of useful ones.
Alzheimer’s Society – Dementia Connect: www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-us/contact-us
Dementia UK -Admiral Helpline: www.dementiauk.org/get-support/dementia-helpline-alzheimers-helpline/
Carers UK: www.carersuk.org
Check Christmas opening times
Some local and national services are limited over Christmas so you and the person you look after may find it harder to access support if you need it. Try and find out in advance which local services will be available. If you think you may possibly need to use any of these services, contact them or look on their website to find out their Christmas opening hours. Think too about pharmacies and GPs surgery opening times to make sure you’ve got all the medication you need to see you through to the New Year.
Stay warm and well
It’s important for you both to stay healthy and warm all through the winter but at Christmas when services are not always available, it’s worth taking extra care and being prepared. Local NHS services have put together a fun animated video about staying well for the 12 days of Christmas
Be Flexible and adapt to change
Take each day as it comes. Some things are not in our control. Look for what you can control i.e. what you say/do and how you respond to a situation. Stress is contagious – break the cycle. If in doubt…pause, step back and take a big deep breath in… and out…
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas
Rachel xx
About Lancashire Dementia Training and Consultancy
Lancashire Dementia Training and Consultancy is an organisation run by Rachel Yates Hoyles, who has first-hand experience of supporting a family member living with dementia, plus years of training and experience in this field.
“We hear so much these days about dementia and probably all know a person and family that is affected. There are 850,000 people with dementia in the UK, with numbers set to rise to over 1 million by 2025 and 2 million by 2051.
“225,000 people will develop dementia this year, that’s one every three minutes. Lancashire currently has over 10,300 people with a dementia diagnosis of which two thirds of people live at home.”
Rachel is passionate about raising awareness of dementia and sharing dementia knowledge to empower others.
She offers a range of training and consultancy sessions which are bespoke to you, your staff and/or service needs. She uses a flexible and friendly approach and can adapt learning sessions and conversations to encourage a positive and fun, learning and inspiring culture that supports creativity and innovation.