Caring for relatives with dementia can be challenging, especially during the darker, colder months, say Right at Home South and Mid Cheshire.

The shorter days and gloomy weather can amplify feelings of confusion and anxiety for those living with dementia. Here are some practical tips to help navigate this period, they say.

Right at Home South and Mid Cheshire has come up with the following tips to help during the winter months:

1. Create a Safe and Comfortable Home Environment

The changing season often means wet floors and dim lighting, which can increase the risk of falls or confusion. Ensure your home is well-lit with easy-to-navigate spaces. Soft lighting, like warm LED bulbs, can reduce shadows that might be unsettling. For added comfort, provide cozy blankets and keep the temperature consistent.

2. Maintain a Routine

People with dementia thrive on routine, and the disruption of natural light can affect their internal body clocks. Stick to regular meal times and activity schedules. Use lamps with timers to mimic natural daylight, helping your loved one feel grounded.

3. Encourage Safe Outdoor Activities

While the colder weather might make outdoor activities less appealing, fresh air and gentle movement are vital. Consider short, bundled-up walks in well-lit areas, like Crewe's Queens Park or Sandbach's Market Square. These outings can help lift spirits and improve sleep.

4. Engage in Seasonal Activities

Celebrate the season by involving your loved one in sensory-rich activities. Baking festive treats, listening to festive music, or creating simple crafts can stimulate memories and create joyful moments. Local community centers in Nantwich and Alsager often offer dementia-friendly events, which can provide social interaction in a supportive environment. The Thursday Club in Nantwich, and the Afternoon Club in Crewe are very dementia friendly groups and always have activities happening.

5. Watch for Sundowning

Sundowning, a phenomenon where confusion and agitation worsen as daylight fades, can be more prominent in winter. Combat this by minimizing evening stimulation, using blackout curtains to block outside lights, and keeping spaces calm. Playing soothing music or offering a warm drink can help ease transitions to bedtime.

6. Seek Local Support

Crewe, Nantwich, Alsager, and Sandbach have numerous resources for carers. Dementia-friendly groups, such as those run by local charities or the Alzheimer's Society, offer advice, companionship, and activities.

Right at Home delivers the highest possible care to clients in their own homes. (Image: Right at Home)

Right at Home has a string of awards to its name. (Photo: Nub News)

Right at Home South & Mid Cheshire continues to bridge the gap between exceptional caregiving and meaningful connections, ensuring ever client receives not just care but genuine compassion and love.

 For more details and how to contact them follow this link here or call them on 01270 257347

Right at Home South Cheshire and Mid Cheshire provides domiciliary care and support to people living in their own homes.  

Services range from companionship, home help and personal care to specialist dementia care and live-in care services.  

Sandbach Nub News and Alsager Nub News are proud that Right at Home South Cheshire is a sponsor of our news service.   

It is thanks to the generosity of organisations like Right at Home South Cheshire that we can continue our mission to revive local news, both in Sandbach, Alsager and across the UK.