Managing your relationship with your partner

Managing your relationship with your partner

If you are caring for a parent or elderly relative with dementia, it can put a strain on your other personal relationships. Your partner may not understand how dementia affects a person’s ability to cope on their own and may not understand or even resent the amount of...
Why dementia can affect moods and personality

Why dementia can affect moods and personality

If you are caring for a person with dementia, you may have noticed they might have become more agitated and frustrated of late. They may be subject to mood swings and may display anger or aggression – seemingly for no apparent reason. You may have accepted that this...
Past memories can help with new conversations

Past memories can help with new conversations

Talk to your loved one about the past and you may be surprised by how much they come to life.  Are you caring for a parent with dementia? How much do you know about their earlier years? I ask because it occurred to me one day while visiting my late mum that I didn’t...
What to expect when a person has dementia

What to expect when a person has dementia

Whether it’s your parent, partner or friend who has been diagnosed, it’s useful to understand how their moods may change and how the condition is likely to progress.  In early stage of the person’s dementia, you may notice memory lapses that will probably be fairly...
10 things every dementia carer should know

10 things every dementia carer should know

Living with dementia is extremely tough and if you’ve taken care of the person and managed to look after yourself in the process, then you’ve done a great job. It’s taught me many valuable life lessons. Caring for my mum has made me more patient and less selfish, and...
Assisting a loved one with personal hygiene

Assisting a loved one with personal hygiene

A person with dementia may lose interest in their appearance and may not wash or shower as much as they used to. You may have to prompt them to wash or dress appropriately. This can be difficult, as they may not think they need a wash, or they may want to sit around...