Photo: Unsplash/Ben White
Submitted for publication in Croydon Advertiser
Purley Nursing Home shares the best gift ideas for loved ones with dementia.
The Amberley Lodge nursing home on Downlands Road has some helpful tips to share.
Susan Mumford, Head of Dementia at Care UK, said: “First, use your knowledge of a person’s likes and dislikes, hobbies and interests – think about what makes them an individual. With this in mind, also think about what their current reality is.
“For example, do you feel like they think they live in a different era? This will give you another inspiration when you open the stores.
“The sense of smell has a very strong connection to memories, so a perfume that they love so much or aftershave that they wear when they were younger is ideal because it helps maintain a personal grooming routine and remember that their scent is also beneficial.”
Care UK’s dementia specialists and their home lifestyle teams also know the importance of music in helping to form personal bonds and helping people make sense of their pasts.
Azalea Moses, Home Manager at Amberley Lodge said: “Music plays a huge part of life here at Amberley Lodge and we have seen its benefits for those with dementia. Custom CDs or playlists make great gifts and the internet means we can now access some of the most mysterious tracks across decades.
“The trick is to know where the person is in their memory. A lady in her 80s probably doesn’t want to hear music from her 40s, because in her mind she is 40 and she enjoys listening to the Beatles or Mongo Jerry or the Brotherhood. The important thing is to keep talking to A person to know what he likes.
“DVDs are also a useful gift because they bring back memories of another era and trips to ‘clicks.’ Particularly useful are bundled DVDs that contain the best songs, dances or scenes from beloved movies because they are so full of life and don’t require much focus.
“Instead, many people love the quick humor of shows like Morecambe, Wise, Dad’s Army, ‘allo’ allo, Steptoe and Son.”
Another wise tip from Susan is to search the gift shop at your local museum, as they often have everything from ration books and vintage picture books to vintage toy cars. These can make beautiful gifts and also instant conversation and memory sharing.
Sensual gifts, such as a scented hand cream that you can gently massage into his hands, are also examples of gifts that can provide a comforting touch that is often missing in the later stages of life.
Azalea added: ‘Maybe you’d rather give a gift instead. Memory boxes or albums designed to evoke memories and conversations can also be great gifts.
“You can fill it with old photos and trinkets to create a link to the past. For example, if it is a memory of a trip to the seaside, you can include postcards, shells, and old photos of seaside resorts that the person used to enjoy the visit.”
“Seniors are also from a generation that is used to giving gifts themselves,” Susan said. Whether it’s sitting down decorating a jar and filling it with shower crystals, decorating cakes, knitting, or making cards, these activities are not only creative and rewarding for the person themselves, but they give you a chance to sit down and chat and laughter about past birthdays. They can help make a memory box for someone else, providing an increased sense of purpose.”
Finally, Azalea reminds us all: “Throughout the year, we should all try to remember that the greatest gift we can give to seniors is our time.
“The past couple of years have been incredibly challenging, especially for the elderly, with a lot of self-isolation for long periods of time. A phone call, a visit, or a helping hand often makes a huge difference.
“We understand that many relatives or friends feel uncertain when it comes to giving gifts to loved ones who have dementia, and we hope that our advice will provide some inspiration and reassurance to those who suffer.”
To find out more about Amberley Lodge, call 02086 880999 or email Azalea Moses at azalea.moses@careuk.com
For more general information, visit careuk.com/amberley-lodge
Croydon advertiser covers areas including but not limited to CoulsdonAnd burleyAnd SelsdonAnd ShirleyAnd Thornton Heath And Croydon In Croydon, London.
Get the latest news, updates, things to do and more from your local site InYourArea تغذية Feed.