Did this at the care home and it worked…

[Mum5net]

Just back from my care home visit. Can’t lie, I have to force myself. DM has v limited speech - three words at most. She’s been in care over seven years.
Thought we could list the little things that ‘worked’…. I’m reasonably resourceful but anything that makes her smile, truly helps….

Covid rules mean I can’t fetch my DM a hot drink. Visitors are respectfully asked to remain in the resident’s bedroom. Today I rocked up with a Naked smoothie and a straw. OMG, my 91 year old DM’s face lit up with ‘Blue Machine’ flavour… she adored it.

A lovely picture in my mind's eye!

What a lovely thing 😁😍

Love this. We took Macdonalds fries in for my mum one day and she loved them.

Sounds lovely. You have to take a different one each time you visit.

There’s some great ideas here but I was limited in what treats I could bring as my DMil had diabetes as well as dementia.
I used to have my ‘visiting bag’ to pick up and take with me, where I had lovely hand cream to be able to give a hand massage. I always took my knitting as she had been a keen knitter herself and she liked to give me advice on things on good days or it passed the time if she dozed!
I also bought her a monthly magazine, at the time there were a series of special editions of a magazine (possibly something like Woman’s Weekly) that looked back at their old editions in topics, so old recipes, fashions, crafts, garden ideas, etc. She really enjoyed those. Also anything about the main members of the Royal Family.
But one of the best things, because she had dementia, was hanging a calendar where visitors could sign when they had been as she forgot who had visited, so could be reminded if needed.

My grandmother liked watchign videos of our dog on an Ipad, videos of me dancing, and when I went in and played the home's piano. I don't think she realised he was our dog, or knew who I was reallly, but she liked it in the moment.

That's so lovely @Mum5net and I bet she loved it.

We did Cat & Dog videos with DMIL @Greenandcabbagelooking 🙂

Love the calendar idea. If you got a Polaroid camera (pricey I know, maybe as a Christmas present) you could upgrade with adding selfie pictures with her from each visit.

Or try taking a thermos next time OP if a cuppa is what really hits the spot!!

our home are happy for DS to take his dog in. Mind, they’ve had some llamas visiting so dogs probably seem a lot less bother.

Lovely!
My mum didn’t have dementia but at the very end of her illness (COPD & cancer) she was in a nursing home and decreasingly responsive.
I played my mum a lot of music of her era and by the couple of singers I know she rated. Also some calm bits of opera I knew she liked the quartet from Cosi fan Tutti, the duet from the Pearl Fishers etc.
She also had a few sips of Baileys a couple of days before she died which was naughty and nice.

I had the Archers Omnibus playing quietly when she took her last breath and I think and hope it was calming, it was a peaceful death. The District Nurses had a huge part to play in that though. I couldn’t be more grateful. They came out any time day or night if she needed help with pain.

The calendar is a great idea @Ihaveamagicwand

Sadly no thermos @AllotmentTime but I will see about getting one…
Today we brought Aldi’ s Raspberry vitamin water which she was happy to drink but no broad smile broke out this time.
She also managed half of a mini butter stollen slice from Lidls which was 40% butter and 45% marzipan.
Can’t lie, was disappointed I didn’t get the marvellous grin I got last week.
I think it’s going to be a drink or a spoonful of something hauntingly delicious that gets the five star reaction.
DM’s only comfort now is really from her tastebuds. Her dementia is v advanced Have left a smoothie for her in the fridge and a salted caramel moose that i hope they remember to try her with…
Good to hear others have found positive reactions. It would be good to have a repertoire of things that bring happiness in the moment.
@LightDrizzle I am going to give thought to our version of your suggestion. Dancing Queen and Love is in the Air might not be appropriate. She hated the Archers and turned off the radio. But Glenmorangie and a Bailey’s might be worth trying