Emily - Beside You Care

One of the hardest things families tell me they face is not knowing what is dementia and what is just a bad day.

Both exist. And that is genuinely confusing.

Dementia does not progress in a straight line. There will be better days and harder days, and the variability can be heartbreaking.

A good day does not mean things are improving. A hard day does not always mean things are getting worse.

If you are riding that emotional rollercoaster right now, please know it is one of the most common experiences families describe. You are not imagining it and you are not doing anything wrong.

You are doing better than you think. 💙

💡Activity Idea 💡

Long term memory often stays intact far longer than short term memory in dementia. Which means talking about the past can open doors that feel closed.

Old photographs. A song from their younger years. A newspaper from the decade they grew up in. A familiar object connected to a job or a hobby they loved.

You do not need to quiz them or correct them. Just ask open questions and listen.

You might be surprised what comes back. And even if words do not come, watch their face.

Something is still there. 💙

A reminder that I am taking bookings for May/June onwards 📆

If you have been thinking about getting some private care support in place for the summer, for yourself, for a family member, or just to have a trusted person on standby, now is the time to reach out.

Ad hoc, flexible, no lengthy contracts. Dementia and palliative care specialism. Falkirk and surrounding areas.

Enquiry form pinned at the top of the page💙

Hydration in dementia is something I talk about a lot because it is one of the most common and most preventable causes of sudden decline.

Older people have a reduced sense of thirst. For someone living with dementia, the cues to drink are even harder to notice or act on.

Confusion, agitation, urinary infections and falls can all be triggered or worsened by dehydration.
A few things that can help:

Offer small amounts regularly rather than a full glass at once.

Use a familiar cup or mug they are comfortable with.

Add a splash of squash or juice if plain water is not appealing.

Offer foods with high water content like melon or cucumber.

Try Jelly Drops — specially designed water sweets made for people living with dementia that make hydration easier and more enjoyable.

Do not wait for them to ask. Just offer. 💙

FAQ

Q: What areas do you cover and is there a travel charge?

I am based in Falkirk and cover the surrounding areas. There is no travel charge for clients in Newcarron, Carronshore, Bainsford, Langlees, Stenhousemuir and Larbert.

For anywhere outside these areas, travel is discussed and agreed in advance. No surprises, ever.

Not sure if you are covered? Just message me and I will let you know. 💙

💡ACTIVITY IDEA 💡

Folding and sorting activities are wonderfully calming for people living with dementia and far more purposeful than they might sound.

Folding towels, sorting buttons by colour, arranging pegs. These are familiar, repetitive actions that engage the hands and the mind without creating pressure or confusion.

There is no right or wrong. There is just the doing. And often the doing is enough. 💙

Something exciting to share 🎉

I am now opening up my availability for June onwards and would love to hear from families who are thinking ahead.

Whether you need regular ad hoc support, occasional cover, or just want to get something in the diary for the summer months, now is a great time to get in touch.

Private, one to one, flexible care with no lengthy contracts. Dementia and palliative care specialism. Falkirk and surrounding areas.

Drop me a message or fill in my enquiry form via the link in my bio. Spots will be limited so please do reach out sooner rather than later. 💙

Pain is one of the most underrecognised triggers of distress in people living with dementia.

Because communication becomes difficult, pain often goes unspoken. Instead it shows up as agitation, aggression, withdrawal or resistance to care.

If someone’s behaviour changes suddenly, always consider pain as a possible cause before anything else. A simple pain assessment tool like PAINAD can help carers identify discomfort in people who cannot verbalise it.

Knowing this changes how you respond. 💙

Something I get asked a lot is how to talk to someone living with dementia when words start to feel difficult.

A few things that genuinely help. Slow down and give them time to process before jumping in again. You may have to repeat this step a few times and that is extremely common.

Use their name as it grounds them gently.

Keep sentences short and simple, one idea at a time. Don't correct or argue. If they believe something that isn't true, meet them where they are and step into ‘their reality’

Use touch if they're comfortable with it. A hand on the arm can say more than words sometimes.

And most importantly, listen to what they're communicating even when the words don't make sense. The feeling behind them almost always does.

💡ACTIVITY IDEA 💡

A simple activity that works beautifully for people living with dementia - a memory box.

Fill a small box with familiar objects from your loved past. Old photos, a favourite fabric, a postcard, a small item connected to a hobby or a job they loved.

Whilst your doing this consider playing music you know they’ve enjoyed for some time. It will help in grounding them further and hopefully feel a sense of familiarity and comfort.

There are no wrong answers and no pressure to remember. It’s simply something to hold, explore and feel connected to. Conversation follows naturally. Engagement follows naturally. And for a little while, something clicks.

Give it a try this weekend 💙

Did you know that Dementia is not one condition. It is an umbrella term for over 200 subtypes and they do not all look the same?

🔹 Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent, typically beginning with short term memory loss.

🔹 Vascular dementia is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, often following a stroke, and can cause step-like progression rather than gradual decline.

🔹 Lewy body dementia can involve hallucinations, significant sleep disturbances and movement difficulties similar to Parkinson's.

🔹 Frontotemporal dementia often affects personality and behaviour first, and tends to present at a younger age.

Understanding the type of dementia someone has helps carers, families and professionals provide the right support. It is NEVER one size fits all.