Tips for celebrating Christmas with a friend or family member with dementia
Christmas is a time for getting together with family and friends, but the change in routine and extra people can be overwhelming for someone with dementia. Luckily, there are ways to make your festive event easier if your guest list includes a person with dementia.
• If the house becomes very busy, designate a ‘quiet room’ without television or music where the person with dementia can rest but still be part of the festivities.
• Think of activities the person may enjoy doing, and try to involve them in what you are doing, even if it’s helping with chores like cooking or tidying. Most people like to participate and be helpful.
• Singing carols is a good activity to do with a group of people, with the added bonus of stimulating both mind and body.
• Reminiscing about ‘my first memory of Christmas’ or ‘The most disastrous Christmas dinner’ can be great inter-generational fun, children love hearing about the olden days.
• If the house is unfamiliar to the person with dementia, labels on some doors (like the bathroom and kitchen) may be useful, and consider keeping the section/house safe.
• At night time, keep a few lights on so the person with dementia is less likely to get confused and/or disorientated.
• At meal times, avoid overloading your guest’s plate, as a full plate can be quite daunting and confusing, instead encourage going back for seconds!
• Consider designating one person to be the ‘buddy’ for the person with dementia and take turns sharing this role.
• Most importantly, remember to have fun, it’s okay to laugh and with a little bit of planning your festive get-togethers can be inclusive and enjoyable for everyone.
If you are concerned about memory loss in yourself or a loved one, Alzheimers Wellington offers advice, support and services for people affected by dementia across the Wellington region. Contact 0800 004 001 or www.alzheimers.org.nz...
Alzheimers Wellington
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Robbery at a Naenae dairy
At around 8am Police were called to Rata Street where a group entered a Naenae dairy and presented a knife, stealing product. The offenders fled the scene in a vehicle which has since been located in Naenae Park abandoned. Police are appealing for information from the public.
Inspector Simon de Wit Relieving Hutt Valley Area Commander says: “Police are reviewing CCTV footage, speaking with witnesses, and we are searching the area as we work to identify and locate the offenders.”
“Enquiries are ongoing and a scene examination will be conducted.”
“If you have any information that may assist in identifying and locating the youths or saw a small silver Toyota hatchback leaving the scene towards Naenae Park between the hours of 8:10am and 8:20am please contact Police on 111 if it was recent or 105 if it’s after the fact. Please reference event number: P058472846,” says Inspector de Wit.
Alternatively you can report any information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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