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Abacare offers free advice on having a more dementia-friendly Christmas

Published: 13th December 2019 13:32

 

STAFF at a care provider in Wales are offering expert advice to people in the country on how to have a dementia-friendly Christmas and ensure loved-ones with the condition feel included (December, 2019).

Abacare carers say that Christmas can be a challenging time for people with dementia and their friends and family too.

Neil Griffiths, Regional Manager at Abacare, which provides care across Wrexham, said: “Christmas can affect a person with dementia in lots of ways. Many people with the condition like to have a set routine and the busyness of the festive season often means that routines change, and this can upset someone with dementia. 

“Seeing lots of different people on the big day can often be confusing and distressing for a person with dementia. It’s not just the person with the condition that can be affected either, it can also put enormous pressure on family members and carers as they want to ensure their loved-one has a wonderful time on the big day. However, they shouldn’t feel guilty for keeping the day as normal as possible. 

“To ensure everyone has the best possible time, our expert carers have put together some top tips on making the festive season more dementia-friendly: 

• Stick to routine as much as possible on the big day – have the person with dementia get up and do their morning routine as usual and try to keep lunch and dinner timings the same. If they are going to someone’s house for Christmas, then plan ahead and ensure there is somewhere quiet they can go if it all gets too much. 

• Ensure the person with dementia has all the medication they need over the festive period as often chemists and doctor’s surgeries can have alternative opening hours at this time of year. 

• Use Christmas songs, decorations or candles to evoke memories. Something they hear or see might spark a memory and could lead to a family conversation and trip down memory lane. 

• You should try to involve them as much as possible. Perhaps they could help with setting the dinner table or help out in the kitchen, even if it is something as simple as stirring. It’s important a person with dementia feels included. 

• Avoid having lots of different patterns and decorations at their dinner table place setting as this can cause confusion. Use a plain tablecloth if possible and use different coloured plates so they can differentiate between them. Also, try not to overfill the plate as a person with dementia can sometimes have difficulty with eating. 

• It’s important to have a ‘plan B’. As much as you can plan the day for your loved-one, it might become too much and they might prefer to go home or to a quiet place for a bit of a rest. Don’t feel defeated if you have to action your back-up plan. 

“We always ensure our service users with dementia always see the same friendly faces they’re used to during the Christmas period and that their routine stays the same as much as possible. If anyone needs any more advice, they can get in touch with us by calling 01352 870671.” 

Abacare operates a professional Care Management Team that is committed to providing high quality care to individuals in their own homes.

The large team of trained, specialist, care workers provide positive based outcomes and person-centred care to people throughout the UK. 

Abacare has recently launched its new website www.abacare.org.uk for people looking for high quality care for themselves or loved ones and also for those seeking a career in care. 

It is looking for kind, honest, caring and reliable individuals who wish to have a stable and long-term career in care, and who would like to forge rewarding relationships with the service users they care for. 

Neil continued: “Being a carer is a highly skilled, professional vocational occupation that is essential to the fabric of our society and the beauty of a job for life means people can start at the very bottom and work their way up with training and qualifications. 

“In today’s changing world of employment, we pride ourselves on being able to offer long-term job security and career prospects. 

“No experience is necessary to become a carer as free, full training is offered, which includes a company induction, first aid, information on dementia, health and safety, food safety, infection control, handling medication and moving and handling service users, with the opportunity to achieve Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) after the initial three months probationary period. 

“New recruits are given free uniforms, access to national staff discount scheme for all major brands as well as 28 days paid holiday, paid travel between calls and paid mileage.” 

Abacare also offers FaceTime or Skype interviews to candidates in order to meet the demands of the modern jobseeker. Its view is that busy people wanting a career change can ‘meet’ the team via FaceTime or similar applications and find out about the roles it has to offer, as well as meet a couple of team members and, if they are about, also say ‘hello’ to a carer too. 

Its core values, instilled into every staff member, include ‘make us proud’, ‘focus on our service users’ wellbeing’, ‘communicate, listen well and speak with respect’, ‘be passionate, honest, caring and considerate’, ‘recruit and develop the very best’ and ‘lead by example’. 

It believes it offers inspiring work for inspirational people. 

It is a member of the United Kingdom Homecare Association, Ceretas (formerly British Association of Domiciliary Care), The National Homecare Council and The Information Commissioners Office (Data Protection). It is also registered with the Care Inspectorate Wales. 

For more information about Abacare, please call 01352 870671.

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