Christmas the most isolating time of year for people living with dementia

New research from Alzheimer’s UK has shown that over half of people affected by dementia find Christmas the most isolating time of the year. While most of us excitedly begin our Christmas countdown sadly for people living with dementia this can be a time of year that they dread. There is a predicted 46 million people living with dementia in the world today.

Dementia symptoms can range from memory loss, personality change, confusion and at later stages immobility which can make it difficult to know how to best help. Keeping someone with dementia engaged can help a person with dementia feel more valued and included. Encouraging socializing and group activities is one of the most effective ways to ensure people living with dementia are getting the mental stimulation they need.

Ben Atkinson-Willes the founder of Active Minds was inspired by his Grandfather who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2008. Since 2010 Active Minds have been developing activities to improve the quality of life for people living with dementia. With a mission to create positive, mindfully designed, human-centered activity products and games to help people lead active lives. To date we have helped support over 150,000 people living with dementia. We have partnerships with many of the UK largest healthcare organizations such as BUPA and Royal Free NHS Trust, as well as selling directly to families of those living with dementia. Active Minds social impact report has revealed that 100% of professional carers and 80% of family members felt the activities improved the quality of life of people with dementia and those who care for them.

When someone you love has dementia the festive season can become an emotional minefield. Activities are one of the most effective ways to keep people with dementia calm and content over the Christmas period. Active Minds have created a resource to provide advice and ideas to help carers and people living with dementia get through the winter months.

Download the Active Minds activity guide here.

Carol Pardue-Spears

Carol has worked in the healthcare field for more than forty years. As a Certified Nursing Assistant, she worked for El Camino Hospital in the cardiac unit, Los Gatos Community Hospital, The Women’s Cancer Center in Los Gatos and several home health and hospice agencies. Carol founded Family Matters in 2002 to fill a deficit she witnessed in high-quality, in-home services and care.