Be calm, be kind and be patient
The festive season is a great time for families coming together. The prospect of seeing and spending time with extended family, particularly for the older generation, is something that most look forward to. However, it can be a time of anxiety for anyone who is living with dementia. A change in routine, environment, big family groups and lots of faces can cause confusion, be overwhelming and exhausting.
Friends and family of Otus clients often say how hard it is to adapt to unexpected changes they see in a loved one who is living with dementia and that the festive season can be one of the most difficult times of the year.
Additionally, for the elderly living alone, the festive season can be a tough time of year, especially if they have reduced mobility limiting their opportunities to socialise resulting in feelings of loneliness and isolation. Our clients’ families frequently tell us that one of the key benefits of having a live-in carer is knowing that their loved one has company and most importantly, has someone there to help keep them safe.
Understanding a bit more about the disease can make a difference. The word ‘dementia’ describes a set of symptoms that may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language. These changes are often small to start with, but for someone living with dementia, they have become severe enough to affect daily life. A person living with dementia may also experience changes in their mood or behaviour. It is true that it affects more people over 65 but it is not exclusively an older person’s disease; younger people get dementia too. But it’s always worth remembering that it is possible to live well with dementia and our best approach is to be calm, be kind and be patient.
The Alzheimer’s Society has published a very helpful list of simple ways we can all help support someone living with dementia during the holiday season – https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/blog/how-support-dementia-christmas – whether you are a family carer, paid carer or just someone who might be spending time with older family members, it is well worth a read.
If you have any concerns about a family member or friend/neighbour over the holiday period and think they might benefit from live-in care, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team. Everyone at Otus is a registered Dementia Friend – https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/ – and would be happy to share any help and advice they can without obligation. Tel: 01403 710119 or email [email protected].