What do you buy for your elderly gran with dementia??

[trqintracks]

She’s in a care home and keeps throwing her stuff away. Are biscuits my only option?

My friend had cushions with family photos on made for her Mum with dementia. They were from Asda. I guess you could go into the storeand ask them about it.

Sounds silly but we got my nana a baby doll 😊 she loved taking care of her 'baby'!

Kenworthington my DF is exactly the same. Bed bound and very few words. He has a dementia ball set, this one
www.alzproducts.co.uk/sensory-balls-for-dementia
as well as many of the things your DF has too. It is so sad.

OP what about hand cream/body lotion ?

I also gave my Granny a doll, which she absolutely loves taking care of.

These are so super easy to make, and SO popular with dementia patients. Maybe it will be suitable as a little extra?

The photo didn't attach! ?

This year a hamper.

Last year, and most successful, something called precious petzzz from Amazon. A ginger tabby cat that "breathes". It sits in her knee and she took great comfort from him. She always had pets and that was her biggest miss going into the home. I take my dogs in to visit and she gets someone to take cat to her room "just in case". I'm sure I read an article about them somewhere and then gave it a try.

Apparently a doll can be very therapeutic

My mum loves perfume spray (not too heavy scent) and hand cream/lotion (I get L'Occitane lavender) which the care staff massage in for her. She is paralysed from a stroke and so can't do it herself,plus the touch and interaction is good. The stroke also did for her mental capacity in a big way but her ability to enjoy scents hasn't gone.

I'd also second a light,fleecy blanket/ cover,esp in nice colours.

For my Nan who passed away 4 years ago I used to buy clothes, Christmas decorations, pot pourri, face cream, chocolates, mini alcoholic drinks (was allowed). And the obligatory photos of my children

If she's an animal lover a realistic toy dog or cat can be a huge hit as long as you won't get upset if she thinks it's real x

I've bought my gran with dementia a lightweight fleecy gilet to wear to keep her warm. She quite often feels the cold and I was concerned that a blanket would be dangerous as she's unsteady on her feet and might trip over it. Good quality socks are always a good shout too. Lightweight but warm. M&S do good ones.

Something from their childhood? A favourite old game or toy or treats?

I came on the thread to say a doll myself, article here.

Photographs of this year’s family main events on the wall, so that visitors and staff can chat about them with her.

(or any major family event really...just something as a conversation starter.)

When my granny was in a care home with dementia a few things I bought were:
Bird table - she enjoyed watching the birds from her window
A snuggly blanket
A bird feeder that stuck to get window - when she moved to a first floor room
Window box full of flowers
CD of music she had enjoyed

Hope that's of some help.

I work in a specialist nursing home for people with advanced dementia.

I would advise that if you buy a nice blanket or teddy (both good ideas), then you name it well. I would steer clear of toiletries/smellies as a Christmas gift as these will inevitably be shared about. The conversation goes something like "oh, Bob hasn't got any shower gel/bubble bath" "Ray's got some, I'll just borrow a little bit." No malice in it, no intentional theft - but still incredibly likely that other residents will be using his Christmas present.

If your gran is still able to recognise faces of loved ones, then photos in nice frames or a photo calendar (as a PP suggested) would be lovely ideas. As these are very personal to your gran, there would be no chance of them going walkies.

If she is at a more end of life stage (so won't really know what you have given her), then I would recommend things to make her life more comfortable. These could include new nighties or pyjamas in a nice soft, stretchy fabric, one size bigger than she usually wears. It can be very hard for Carers to change clothing for some residents with advanced dementia and having things with a little stretch in them, and a little more room, makes the whole process more comfortable for the resident. Also a nice soft blanket (well labelled) or even some nice pillows (also labelled with permanent marker). Some residents also enjoy having a radio in their rooms, so that could be an option if she doesn't already have one.

Sonething that is snellybthat she enjoyed in the last. Smell is the sense that is closest tied to memory. It could be anything, soap, perfume, certain brand of tea/biscuits/marzipan, flowers, hand cream.

There are some great ideas here. Also don’t overlook the value of your time. Looking through old photos, having afternoon tea together, sitting holding hands, all of these will give her real pleasure.

Dimentia can make you sort of "blind" to low contrast table settings. (But the blindness isnt in the eye its the brain iykwim) Dementia also brings low appetite so the combination is problematic.

People with dementia can eat more and more indeoendantly if they have red plates cups & red handled cutlery

Fiddle blanket - good for keeping their hands busy
Photo in frame of family with names written on - helps them remember
Teddy with voice recorder - so they can hear you when your not there.

Fiddle Mat or doll

My mum gave my Nan a lovely soft teddy for her 102nd birthday recently. It was a huge success. She loves cuddling it.

haircolour my DD insisted that her Great Grandma needed a soft toy for her birthday, she chose a rabbit. My Grandma loved it and it was always in bed with her.

Aww. They do seem to love them. My nan just sits holding it. I think she likes the softness and always did love teddies.