Need ideas to help make Xmas bearable for poor DF who will be on his own with DM who has dementia

[aamia]

To cut a long story short, for unavoidable reasons he will be on his own in another country, for the first time ever, for his only grandchild`s first xmas. Feel desperate for him . So can you all help me to think of things to do/send to cheer him up?

So far I have thought of sending a Xmas hamper of small Xmas cake, pud, mince pies. Also of calling him on the day, taking loads of photos to email.

Can you get a series of small gifts - world service radio, cd, nice book, magazine etc. and sendingthem once a day / every couple of days around Christmas so he has other stuff to look forward to?

Also, could you phone him twice a day so he has reliable adult conversation to look forward to.

Can he do skype to see his grandchild?

I know you haven't mentioned your mum, but could you send some bits for her? People with dementia often remember old memories, childhood etc, better than recent ones. Could you send her a DVD of Christmas Morecambe and Wise, old fashioned Christmas decorations, scent she / her mother used to wear etc? It might make her day more enjoyable and therefore your dad's.

What about a talking photo book? You and your dc could record his/her burblings and you could include old pics too as bethlehem suggested!
here

ALso could you arrange for Christmas food to be delivered to his house, like a tesco delivery type thing, obv depends on where he lives!

a small photobook with pics of ds and you. Photobox did a small spiral one for about £13 and it was with me ina week and I am abroad.