Dementia care advice shared with Wexford families ahead of World Alzheimer's Day

Family carers across County Wexford are being offered practical advice on supporting loved ones living with dementia ahead of World Alzheimer's Day on September 21.

Home care provider Dovida says an estimated 2,163 people in Wexford are living with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia.

The organisation is sharing some of the techniques used by its professional caregivers in the hope of helping families feel more confident when dealing with changes in memory, communication, behaviour and daily routines.

Aisling Cooke, Dovida's National Caregiver Training Manager, said caring for someone with dementia can be both rewarding and challenging.

She said many of the techniques used by trained caregivers are simple but can be highly effective for families providing care at home.

One of the most important aspects of dementia care, according to Dovida, is knowing the person's life story.

Families are often best placed to do this and can use familiar memories, hobbies and interests to encourage conversation and help a loved one feel more secure.

Dovida is also advising carers to offer compliments, ask for the person's opinion and involve them in everyday tasks where possible.

Families are encouraged to avoid arguing or repeatedly correcting someone living with dementia, as their experience may feel completely real to them.

Carers are also advised to avoid drawing attention to mistakes and instead focus on preserving dignity, confidence and independence.

Dovida says people living with dementia can sometimes become upset or fixated on a particular concern.

In these situations, caregivers often use a technique known as “redirecting”.

The first step is to try to understand what the person is feeling and what may be causing their distress.

The next is to acknowledge and validate those feelings, even where the situation itself may not make sense to the carer.

The conversation can then be gently moved towards a different and more comforting topic.

Knowing the person's life story can be particularly useful when choosing something familiar to talk about.

Activities including jigsaws, singing, music, gardening, looking through photo albums or magazines, watching quiz shows and arts and crafts can also help.

Dovida says the advice is being shared ahead of World Alzheimer's Day as part of efforts to raise greater awareness of dementia and support family carers across Wexford.