To highlight Dementia Action Week, which runs from May 20-26, we spoke to Anchor Hanover Care Quality Manager Becky Garwood to get some tips on how to support a loved one living with dementia.
Becky Garwood
For Becky, a good first step is to create a memory box.
“Memory boxes help people living with dementia to recall fond memories of loved ones and events from the past.
“These boxes, which contain photos and items that have special meaning for the person, help conjure up memories that can get a conversation started, and stimulate happy emotions.”
These boxes, she says, should be filled with things like the below:
- Items that have a strong connection to a memory. Holiday souvenirs, for example, or a photo of a wedding or special family occasion
- Captions that explain each item clearly, to further prompt memories
- A variety of items — from ornaments to artwork, news clippings to music tapes — that all mean something to the person
- Items that engage different senses with different materials, smells, sounds and colours. It’s best to avoid anything sharp, heavy, or difficult to handle
For more advice on a range of health issues, pick up a copy of “The People’s Friend” today or take a look at our health pages.
Yvonne McKenzie I work on the Features team and admit to being nosy, so I love looking after the Between Friends letters and finding out all about our lovely readers. I also look after our health copy and enjoy writing about inspiring people that help make the articles in the magazine so interesting.
