During the holiday season, opportunities for quality time with family and friends are important for carers and those living with dementia. But this time can be challenging causing unintended stress for people with dementia as well as their carers. We share some tips and resources for people with dementia and their carers.
Preparation is key:
- Try and hold any gatherings in a familiar environment.
- Have a safe space that the person with dementia can retreat to if they feel overwhelmed.
- Try and stick to the normal routine as much as possible.
- Try to keep activities and gatherings as calm as possible.
- Recruit companion carers within any large groups to help look for triggers and assess whether the person with dementia is starting to get overwhelmed.
- Think about how your family member with dementia used to be involved in Christmas, New Year, and gatherings. Find small, simple ways to contribute as they have done in the past.
- With family members taking time off work, are there ways to access respite care to give carers some time off?
- During the holiday season, vulnerable people experience an increased risk of medical emergencies. By purchasing a SafeMate subscription for both the carer and the person suffering from dementia, you can provide a safety net and peace of mind in a medical emergency.
- Summer can be a high-risk bushfire season. Unfortunately, this may mean that people with dementia experience interrupted care or a higher risk of stress. We recommend you have your bushfire plan in place. Some things to think about:
- Map your evacuation route and have it clear in your mind.
- Pre-arrange your evacuation point with the above tips in mind.
- A carer will be under enormous pressure if they need to evacuate, we recommend having a “go” bag pre-packed with important documentation and necessary belongings. Ensure that any medication is gathered into one spot and easy to access.
- Prepare and have at hand your household emergency plan. Visit https://www.getready.qld.gov.au/plan for more information on how to create a plan.
Take the time to relax and enjoy family and friends and create new memories.
Resources and help that are available:
1. The National Dementia Helpline (1800100500)
Open from 8am to 8pm from Monday to Friday, or you can visit their website at https://www.dementia.org.au/.
2. Carers need care too.
Plan ahead and organise respite through your provider. If you find yourself in an emergency situation, you can access emergency respite care through the Carer Gateway
3. Dementia Support Australia is a free 24-hour helpline – call 1800699799 or visit
https://www.dementia.com.au/
4. Dementia Downunder is a free support group that you can find on Facebook
(https://www.facebook.com/groups/dementiadownunder/)
5. There are online shops that offer fantastic resources and gifts for people suffering from dementia.
You can also check if some of these resources can be funded by an NDIS or My Aged Care package.
Some ideas from Dementia Australia here: (Click to view)
c. Get SafeMate
(Discounts apply to carers and dementia sufferers who sign up together). SafeMate can be claimed on My Aged Care and NDIS packages along with DVA reimbursement.