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Share the caring duties and taking an active role: Enjoying Christmas with a loved one who has dementia

The Public Health Agency has issued some advice for those with dementia and their carers this Christmas period.

CHRISTMAS CAN BE a difficult time of year for many people, not least for carers and those they care for.

Dementia is one disease that can create a challenging situation for those who suffer from the disease and their carers, meaning that they may not be able to enjoy Christmas the way would have before.

With an estimated 55,000 people in Ireland living with dementia, it is a disease prevalent in many households and families.

Ahead of the festive period, Northern Ireland’s Public Health Agency issued its advice to help those with dementia and their carers have a great time at Christmas. 

For those with dementia, the advice is to involve them as much as possible in the lead up to Christmas.

This includes discussing with them what they’d like to, such as visiting friends or have a friend visit them.

For those friends or family who can’t come home for Christmas, setting up video calls could be considered. 

It is also recommended to involve those with dementia in Christmas traditions as much as possible, such as putting up the tree and decorations, or preparing the food.

If you’re carer, the advice is so share the caring duties over the Christmas if family members are home who can help out.

Developing a rota and some back-up plans if arrangements fall through is also recommended.

The Public Health Agency said: “Carers need to spend precious time with their own family such as husband, wife, partner, children and grandchildren. Carers should not feel guilty about relinquishing their caring duties for a brief period; it gives other family members an opportunity to re–bond with other loved ones.

Carers must not forget their own health and wellbeing – carers should plan in advance what they wish to do if they get a break at Christmas from their caring duties. Schedule in activities, shopping trips, visits, pampering and physical activity.

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    Mute Donal Connell
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    Mar 23rd 2020, 6:44 PM

    Pure and simple Go AWAY no one wants your kind your day is over.

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    Mute Justice Mickey
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    Mar 23rd 2020, 6:49 PM

    @Donal Connell:
    Now what kind of people are you accusing the 3 “released” people of.
    Or are you another one of the Journal warriors

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    Mute Donal Connell
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    Mar 23rd 2020, 6:51 PM

    @Justice Mickey: The ones that want to bomb and murder their way back to the bad days of the troubles fool

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    Mute Justice Mickey
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    Mar 23rd 2020, 7:29 PM

    @Donal Connell:
    Ah right, so I take it you are in possession of evidence that should be passed on to the gárda.
    BTW , you will notice I didn’t descend to calling you names.

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    Mute Martin Galvin
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    Mar 23rd 2020, 10:54 PM

    @Donal Connell: That’s no way to talk about the English.

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    Mute John O Donoghue
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    Mar 23rd 2020, 6:32 PM

    I hope the three are okay I hope there not traumatised

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    Mute Old Bill
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    Mar 23rd 2020, 10:28 PM

    God bless the dissident republicans.

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    Mute Sean Fahey
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    Mar 24th 2020, 2:12 AM

    Back on the ballot, so!

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