This year has been one of the strangest on record and it’s not over yet. It seems Coronavirus is probably here to stay and has had the biggest impact on the care industry, this coupled with the added challenge of being a dementia specialist care home has meant trying to implement enormous change whilst trying to minimise the impact on our residents.
All the research you read about dementia always states as advice “maintain a routine” this is all well and good, but when the routine is no longer practical with lockdown restrictions and protecting the most vulnerable, what do you do? Here are some of our thoughts:
- Think outside the box
For those who regularly enjoy something outside of the home, which might not be available now, this could be a major disruption and may set them back in terms of their dementia and wellbeing. Could you think of recreating this activity inside the home somehow? For example, if your loved one liked to go to the local tea shop for tea and cake every Tuesday and you would rather they stayed at home, why not set a table and chairs up in their home like the tea room and bring the tea and cake to them.
If your loved one enjoyed a pamper session, bring it to them. In our home, our carers have been doubling up as beauty therapists offering a wash and blow dry, nail painting and even hosting a mini spa day in our Sweet Shop. If you can’t turn your hand to this, perhaps someone else in your family can. There are also mobile beauticians however this may feel too much of a risk.
- Stay Calm
It can be really worrying when there is a threat to a loved one, you just want to protect them, shut them away and hide from the outside world. If your loved one doesn’t understand the pandemic, or the seriousness of the situation, they may feel like they are being held prisoner. You need to be able to talk to your loved one in a clear and calm manner focussing on the facts to explain why your loved one needs to self-isolate. If they are adamant they want to go out, try and encourage the safest activities – a walk in the countryside perhaps?
- Exercise
Try and stay active, if you are lucky enough to have a large garden walk around the garden, maybe do a spot of gardening. Take a walk in a spacious country area, or if you want to stay indoors try an online gentle stretching class or how about laughter yoga online? This will benefit you and your loved ones releasing any stress and relaxing the mind.
- Keep routine
I know not everything in the routine can stay the same, but try and maintain those things you can – waking time, mealtimes, bedtime. Routine is so important to dementia sufferers, the more routine you can keep to, the better. If things need to change, try and introduce the changes gradually where possible.
- Get Creative
Perhaps now might be a good time to try something creative, painting or writing. Try to keep the mind active – puzzles and crosswords are good, as well as reading or listening to music. All of these things are known to improve wellbeing, not just for your loved one, but for you as well. Give it a try and you may end up dancing around the house!
- Keep talking
If your relative is in a care home and you are not allowed to visit, find other ways to communicate. Perhaps, like us, the care home could organise video calling so you can see each other (albeit on a screen). You could write a card or letter, record a video message or speak over the phone. It is important to maintain contact and we have been more than happy to arrange this at XX.
It is a challenging and uncertain time for us all as we try to adapt and look after those most vulnerable to the virus. Don’t forget your own wellbeing and to take care of yourself too.