She liked talking to the other residents and running errands for them. She had been a carer in her former life and wanted to feel useful....

The transition from walking to a wheelchair will never be easy. He would take so long to move anywhere. It started with a few skin tears...

Late Friday afternoon the drinks trolley rolls out. Red and white wine, and beer make up the usual selection. Some relish the happy hour,...

The essential oil was massaged into her hand. The dry paper thin skin began to gleam. The blue veins took on a more bluish tinge. A...

To see a couple together at the end of their life makes you think. Okay, you have those who don’t like it other and it is a relief when...

Winter means hibernation for some people who live in homes. They stand looking out of the windows and the grey skies. The rain drops...

After a life time of getting up early, some people still get up early. And because sleep can be hard to find. So a person will be up at 6...

She was still active so she lived in the hostel. Like many, she didn’t go beyond the café, where the home proper started. That’s where...

Sometimes you have to remind a person with dementia how to eat. “Open your mouth”. “Close your mouth”. “Chew” “Swallow”. Sometimes you...

Some people who have played a board game for years have an amazing ability. They continue to follow the rules and play even with moderate...

One new resident loved his new room. Well, his new, old. People didn't want the rooms in the old building. They wanted to be in the new...

Some homes have a couple’s night on Valentine's day. Some people couple up just for the event. The lights dim and the tables are set for...

One of my pet peeves involves residents having little to do in the home. It may seem minor, but some people with dementia like to have a...

New arrivals to the home need preparation and a good mindset. Those with dementia do not understand. Please don’t tell the person, “I’m...

A father and daughter entered the care home together. He remained active and visited friends without her. The daughter was in a...

Nursing homes once had six beds to a room. On my first day at the home, I pushed my medication trolley into the men's room. Carers in the...

People didn’t like her. A very determined person, she said people shouldn’t live past ninety and died at ninety years and 3 weeks. When...

Years ago I heard a carer started working in a nursing home. Other staff didn’t want to work with him, but did not say why. He finished...

Accept people with dementia for who they are now. The son of a woman with dementia said he didn’t know how I could work with people who...

· When a person shows obvious signs of dementia, people drift away. It may be because the person disconnects or those around no...