HOW TO HELP

It’s natural to feel overwhelmed when a loved one has dementia. But there are lots of practical things you can do to help...

SUPPORTING someone with dementia can be difficult. But there are things you can do and buy to minimise the upheaval and distress as the condition develops. Unforgettable’s Family Guide to Dementia is packed with ideas.

Key is to keep the person in a routine, so they don’t become stressed. Try to only give them one thing to do at a time, keeping your voice at a normal volume but speaking more slowly than usual, so they can understand you.

Don’t wrap them in cotton wool and keep them away from their old hobbies. If they liked doing puzzles, let them continue with the Unforgettable 35-piece jigsaw

(£9.99), designed to stimulate memories and conversation. Just don’t overload them with too many people at once or they may struggle to follow the conversation.

In their home, make sure all the important phone numbers are written in big letters by the phone or get the Betterlife Photo Phone 100, where pictures of people can be put on speed-dial buttons for easy identification (LloydsPharmacy, £37.79).

Use memory aids – stick a photo of a loo on the toilet door so they can find it easily and pictures of what’s inside cupboards on the front to encourage them to eat. Studies have shown that people living with dementia eat and drink more off

Key is to keep the person in a routine so they don’t become stressed

red plates, so try the Unforgettable Easy Eating Kit

(£34.95), designed with older people in mind.

Label family photos with names, leave a note on the back of the front door reminding them to take their keys and maybe pin a weekly timetable up in the house so they know what’s happening and when. Keep important things like money, spectacles and keys in the same place to be easily found – and if you’re worried about the person wandering, invest in a

GPS tracker that’s linked to your phone, so you always know where they are (£99.99). And if they’re getting distressed not knowing the time – a common problem with dementia – try the Unforgettable 2-in-1 Calendar and Day Clock (LloydsPharmacy, £59.99) with its easy-to-see display.