A diagnosis of dementia can leave you concerned and in need of a range of support. In addition, you may have learned that staying as active and engaged as possible can help you manage the disease, and even slow down memory loss. As such, you are probably keen to track down dementia support groups in the UK for yourself or a loved one. Unfortunately, finding dementia support groups wherever you live in the UK is actually quite a complex process, which is far from what you need. As such, we’ve tried to bring together the relevant information and services here, so that you can find the dementia support groups that will help you best. The types of dementia support groups available Here we most focus on dementia support groups for individuals living with dementia. These groups range in type from social meet up groups through to classes, singing, art and trips. In addition, support is available for loved ones and carers and we touch on this later in the article. It can be helpful to be signposted to different dementia support groups in your area. Speak to your healthcare provider as they often have recommendations. In reality, the number and […]

The advance of technology is radically changing many areas of life, but a fascinating area concerns assistive technology. As more people are living longer and want to retain independence longer, assistive technology can support people to carry out various daily tasks. This article looks at what assistive technology is in terms of the elderly, covers some examples of assistive technology in different areas of daily living, and looks to the future of how this sector could develop. What is assistive technology? It’s tempting to think of assistive technology as a new term that only encompasses the very high-tech. In reality, assistive technology as a concept is actually nothing new. As long as humans have been using tools to ‘get things done’ they’ve been using assistive technology! Eyeglasses are believed to have been an Italian invention between 1268 and 1289 for example! There’s evidence of a wheelchair dating from 5th Century China! Specifically, we can think of assistive technology as being any tool, aid or device that helps an individual to carry out a task inhibited by disability. For the elderly, for example, this could be something as simple as a walking frame to assist mobility. The aim of the technology […]

With just a little insight, it’s simple to understand the isolation and otherness that an individual living with dementia may feel. But often overlooked are the isolation, worry, and practical concern that families and carers experience when facing a dementia diagnosis for a loved one. Turning to books for dementia can help to ensure families and careers feel informed and supported and manage their role more effectively. Caring for someone with dementia is incredibly difficult, even when the loved one is in a dementia care home. It is a distressing, complex, and frustrating disease for both the individual sufferer and those around them. Therefore, educating yourself about the condition and how to care for someone with dementia effectively while looking after yourself is truly valuable. Armed with information from books on dementia, you can solve the problems that arise, prepare yourself for battles to come, and do it while managing your quality of life and self-care. However, we also know that knowing where to start when choosing books on dementia can be bewildering in itself. So, we’ve rounded up a curated list of the 10 best books on dementia for families and carers.   1. Dementia Essentials: How to Guide […]

Whether you are a specialist dementia nurse or carer, or a family member wanting to learn more, there are a range of different publications you can turn to. Knowing which dementia journal, publication, blog or magazine to read is as bewildering as a diagnosis itself!  We’re here to help! Some, for example Dementia is heavily research based and suits those working in developing care models, and some carers. Others, for example Dementia Together is much more geared towards family members and even those in the early stages of the disease. Others, like the Journal of Dementia Care, bridge both those providing care and loved ones. Here we take a look at which are our favourite dementia journals so that you can select the reading that will best provide what you’re looking for. ·         The Journal of Dementia Care (JDC) The Journal of Dementia Care (JDC) appeals to a wide readership. There’s always something of interest both for those involved in dementia nursing and care provision, as well as insightful articles for those interested in dementia and supporting loved ones living with the disease. Technically, the journal is written for professionals, but we find that many articles are accessible to those […]

When considering elder or dementia care for a loved one you enter a whole new world which can seem confusing. There seem to be so many different types of care available, how do you know which is the right sort for your family member? Here we explain everything you need to know about residential care and briefly mention the other types of care available so that you can more easily make comparisons and make the best decision. What is residential care: the definition Residential care is simply care that is provided in a dedicated residential setting. The accommodation is part of the care service, and this ensures that 24-hour personal care and support is available. As such, this is a safe home-from-home environment whereby a team of carers look after multiple people simultaneously. This brings the benefit of community, continuity and better amenities and services. Residential care differs from nursing care. Nursing care is also residential care, but in addition to care support, nursing is available e.g. for the administration of medication or changing dressings. More about residential care Residential care is ideal for elderly people who are finding it difficult to manage independently at home. Carers are trained professionals […]

Considering the care needs of a loved one with dementia is a complex and sometimes overwhelming task. Should you try to care for your loved one at home so that things remain the same, either by yourself or with carers? Or should you support them to move into a dementia care home? Here we help by explaining the benefits of dementia care homes, how to find dementia care homes near me, and answer the most common questions people in your situation ask. full full full Benefits of Using Dementia Care Homes for Dementia Sufferers h2 24/7 staff: With a dementia care home, care staff are there, 24/7, 365 days a year. You don’t have to settle for a compromise, only caring for a loved one in the available hours you have. What’s more, it’s not your responsibility to organise the care. No rotas to juggle, holidays to cover, employer responsibilities or carer sickness to worry about. Experience and expertise: Staff in care homes for dementia are trained and experienced. Caring for an individual with dementia requires insight, knowledge and caring skill. For example, our dementia care home staff are knowledgeable, for example knowing about sundowning, reminiscence therapy and creating valuable […]

In this article we address a question we are often asked by visitors to residents in our specialist dementia care homes: should you correct someone with dementia? Memory problems are one of the symptoms of dementia, and indeed, one of the most overt. The memory loss is very real, and it may not be consistent, or even seem to make sense to the onlooker. You may wonder why one day they can talk about family members in the here and now with utter clarity, and then the next moment forget that person exists. But the memory loss is more pervasive than this. It can actually end up appearing that the individual is lying, about seemingly small or large things. There’s a real temptation to correct them. But is this the right thing? Should you correct someone with dementia when they are wrong about something? Understanding memory loss Memory loss is disabling. It may seem intangible, especially in its milder and more moderate stages, but it is very real. You would not ask someone who is deaf to hear. You cannot ask someone with memory problems to remember. But, having all experienced incidences of memory loss from time to time, you […]

Dealing with negative elderly parents is a challenge. Tricky interactions can leave you feeling unappreciated, under-valued and drained. Regularly being met with pessimism and complaint is hard. Even when there are really good reasons for the negative behaviour, being on the receiving end of it is tough. Dealing with negative elderly parents will involve learning how to regulate your own emotional responses whilst also employing strategies to effect change. Examples of negative behaviour in elderly parents If you have a sense that you can never do anything right by your parents, or that anything you do isn’t good enough, then you may well be facing negative behaviour. Clues to negative behaviour largely come up in certain phrases, but it’s also there in stubbornness and refusal to engage. You may find that your parent is overly picky and seems primed to start arguments at any moment. Negative parents tend to get angry or silent over small or inconsequential issues. Example phrases that indicate negative behaviour include: “I’m not a child, don’t tell me what to do.” “You don’t do anything/enough for me.” “I can’t do what I want to do.” “You just want to put me in a care home.” “I’m […]

It’s looking likely that Christmas 2021 in care homes will be a distinctly more cheerful affair than last year. What are some of the care home Christmas activities that you can expect to be available for your loved one, and what activities can you join in with? Here are our top 10 favourite care home Christmas activities according to our residents and staff. 1. Christmas carol sing-a-long There’s nothing that quite brings us all some Christmas cheer in the same way as a rousing rendition of our favourite carols. Christmas at Eastleigh isn’t complete without at least one opportunity for our residents to sing-a-long to their favourite festive tunes. There’s actually some good science behind why singing makes us feel so good. It’s got all the hallmarks of community spirit, but the act of singing also releases feel-good hormones whilst decreasing stress hormones. We also love that with carol singing, residents get the chance to indulge in some nostalgia, each picking their favourite Christmas songs which mean the most to them. 2. Christmas Quizzes Lots of care home residents love to uncover their competitive side at Christmas and get stuck into a quiz. Quizzes are a brilliant way to keep […]

Memory services, or memory assessment services, are sometimes referred to as a memory clinic. Here we explain what a memory clinic is, who you can expect to see, what happens during appointments and what happens afterwards. The memory clinic The memory clinic is run by a selection of different medical professionals in your area. There will be consultant doctors as well as occupational therapists, specialist nurses, and psychologists. They run comprehensive assessments on the cognitive function of people of any age presenting with memory problems. Their role is to understand the cause of the memory loss and potentially make a diagnosis, such as dementia. Beyond assessment and diagnosis, the memory clinic remains a central part of the support structure around someone with memory difficulties. They are a source of information for both the individual and their carers and loved ones. They can support adjustment to a diagnosis and teach and share strategies and treatments to enable the best quality of life in individuals with memory issues. Why have I been referred to the memory clinic? People experience memory problems for all kinds of different reasons. It may simply be part of the ageing process, but it could also be caused […]

It’s a heart-breaking scenario – how to stop elderly parents from driving (in particular how to stop elderly parents from driving uk laws). In this simple phrase comes so much angst about potential conflict, removing independence, keeping people safe and knowing that it is a one-way decision.  In the UK there is no set age when someone must stop driving. In many ways, whilst this makes sense, it makes it very difficult for loved ones left with the task of addressing the situation. When should your parent stop driving? There is no definitive answer to this question because the ageing process is very different from one person to the next. You can have a spritely and sharp 85 year old whereas someone with early onset dementia may be unsafe behind the wheel some decades earlier. And of course, driving experience is actually usually a good thing! However, each person’s suitability to drive needs to be considered primarily against two markers: eyesight and reaction abilities. Shockingly, we can lose a large proportion of our eyesight without being consciously aware of it. As such, we may not be the best judge of our own ability to see safely on the road. This […]

Even without the visiting difficulties of the last year, knowing how often you should visit elderly parents is often a topic on the minds of adult children. This can feel like a particularly pertinent question if your elderly parent lives alone or is in a care home. Even if your family member lives nearby, your dependent or immediate family, career and other commitments can sap your time leaving very little to spare. Yet feelings run high on this matter. Infamously Pope Francis stated that not visiting elderly parents was a “mortal sin” in 2015. We don’t feel it’s anything like as clear cut as this, or fair to place this moral burden on already stretched members of the ‘sandwich generation’, but it does go to show how important an issue it is. There is no standard answer to how often you should visit elderly relatives. It is a very personal situation and one which is difficult to quantify. Many factors come into play such as distance, childhood experiences, sibling dynamics and more. Here we look at the benefits of visiting an elderly parent, and how to ensure quality visits, so that you can determine the right visiting frequency for you. […]