Blog

Keeping Cool During Heatwaves: Tips for Elderly and Dementia Care in Bristol

Friday 27th June 2025

With temperatures soaring across the UK, heat health warnings have been issued to protect vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly and those living with dementia. In this blog, we provide essential tips on how to keep cool, hydrated, and safe during a heatwave, specifically for dementia patients in Bristol. From hydration advice to cooling techniques, make sure your loved ones remain comfortable throughout this challenging weather. As the UK faces a significant rise in temperatures, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber heat health alerts for Southern parts of England. From Friday at 12:00 BST to Tuesday at 18:00 BST, temperatures are expected to soar above 30°C, with the peak of the heat likely to reach 34°C or 35°C in…

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Gentle Steps, Big Benefits: The Joy of Walking with Support

Sunday 25th May 2025

At Your Care, we know that even a gentle stroll can work wonders. This May, we’ve been celebrating National Walking Month - a chance to celebrate the simple joy of moving more, especially for the older adults and people we proudly support every day. Whether it’s walking to the garden gate, taking a few laps inside the house or enjoying a scenic route with a carer, walking is a brilliant way to boost both body and mind and it's never too late to start. Why Walking Matters for Everyone - Especially Our Clients For those living with dementia, walking can provide calming sensory input and reduce feelings of restlessness or agitation. A familiar route or a favourite view can bring a sense of…

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Side by Side: Supporting Dementia with Heart

Monday 12th May 2025

Dementia Action Week | 12 to 18 May 2025 At Your Care, we know that living with dementia isn’t always easy, but no one should face it alone. This Dementia Action Week, we’re shining a light on the incredible carers who support individuals and families with such love, patience, and dignity every single day. We’re also here to remind you that a diagnosis doesn’t take away a person’s spirit, their worth, or the beautiful moments they still have to share. Dementia Can Change Things, But It Doesn’t Change Everything Everyone experiences dementia differently. It might affect memory, conversation, or how someone sees the world around them. But what stays the same is who they are at their core - their humour, their stories, their…

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Nutrition & Wellness Guide for the Elderly - Part One

Tuesday 22nd April 2025

As we age, maintaining a healthy lifestyle becomes increasingly important. Proper nutrition and wellness practices can help the elderly to stay active, prevent disease, and enhance their quality of life. However, many common dietary misconceptions can lead to nutrient deficiencies, muscle loss, and increased health risks. This guide provides essential, yet often overlooked, dietary and wellness strategies tailored for the elderly, to support their overall well-being. Please note: Before making any significant dietary changes, including electrolyte intake, supplement use, or changes in fluid consumption, consult a doctor or pharmacist—especially if taking medications or managing chronic health conditions. PART ONE Advanced Nutritional Strategies for Elderly 1. Prioritising Calories and Protein for Muscle Retention o Many elderly people experience a natural decline in appetite, which can lead to unintended…

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The Harsh Reality of One-Hour Care Visits: Why They Fail Our Most Vulnerable

Tuesday 18th March 2025

At Your Care, we stand firmly against the one-hour care visit model, a standard practice for many traditional care agencies. Our commitment to providing two-hour visits stems from real-world experience and an understanding of what quality care truly means. To illustrate the limitations and poor outcomes of one-hour visits, let’s walk through a typical scenario, drawn from actual frontline caregiving experiences. A Snapshot of One-Hour Care Visits: Elsie’s Story Elsie, 96, lives alone and has dementia. At 8:00 AM, a carer arrives to assist Elsie with her morning routine. Elsie is sound asleep and waking her proves difficult. She is disoriented, agitated, and unwilling to get out of bed, repeatedly telling the carer to leave her alone. With only an hour to complete…

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Case Study: A New Chapter for Bill and Margaret

Tuesday 7th January 2025

Bill and Margaret had been married for over 50 years, but their golden years were far from easy. Bill, who was visually impaired and physically frail, had been receiving minimal care—just 30 minutes in the morning and evening to manage his medication and prepare breakfast. Margaret, living with dementia, received no care at all. Their daughter, Lynne, juggled her own family responsibilities while trying to care for her parents. With no additional support, the situation quickly became overwhelming. Lynne often found herself racing between her home and her parents’ house, ensuring they had food and handling daily chores. Despite her best efforts, there were times when there wasn’t enough food in the house or when simple tasks like getting bread from…

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Stay Warm Safely: Essential Advice for Older Adults Using Electric Blankets and Other Heating Aids

Thursday 5th December 2024

As the colder months approach, staying warm and comfortable becomes a top priority, especially for older adults. Many turn to electric blankets, fleece bedding, or hot water bottles to keep the chill at bay. However, it's vital to be aware of the potential risks these heating aids can pose, particularly for those with altered temperature sensitivity, incontinence, or certain health conditions like dementia. Here's what you need to know to stay warm safely. Electric Blankets: Use with Care Electric blankets can be a cosy addition to your winter routine, but they require careful use to avoid accidents. Here are key points to consider: Temperature Sensitivity in Older Adults As we age, our skin and nerves may become less effective at sensing temperature changes. This…

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Is it time to give up decaf?

Thursday 7th November 2024

Why Switching to Decaf is a Simple Change that Can Make Life Easier for You or Your Loved Ones with Dementia When it comes to small adjustments with big impacts, switching to decaf drinks is a change that’s making waves in healthcare settings, including NHS wards. For elderly individuals, especially those with dementia, this switch offers benefits like improved safety, better sleep, and less anxiety. 1. Supporting Safety and Preventing Falls One of the most significant benefits of decaf is reducing falls. Caffeine can increase bladder activity, leading to more frequent trips to the bathroom. This urgency can lead to rushed movements, increasing the likelihood of slips and falls. The NHS has implemented decaf as the default drink on some of its wards,…

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Understanding the Impact of Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Dementia Care

Thursday 30th November 2023
Tina Westlake

Introduction: Vitamin B12, a crucial nutrient for maintaining healthy nerve cells and producing DNA and RNA, plays a significant role in the overall health and cognitive functioning of individuals, especially those with dementia. In the realm of dementia care, understanding the implications of Vitamin B12 deficiency is vital, as it can exacerbate symptoms and potentially lead to further cognitive decline. This blog explores how B12 deficiency affects individuals with dementia and the importance of addressing this often-overlooked aspect of care. The Link Between Vitamin B12 and Cognitive Health: Vitamin B12 is essential for cognitive health. It aids in the maintenance of the myelin sheath, the protective coating around nerve fibers, and is crucial for neurotransmitter signaling, which affects brain function. Deficiencies in B12…

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Loved one living with Dementia not eating?

Tuesday 11th January 2022

If a person isn’t eating enough, it can lead to weight loss and less muscle strength. You’ll find they may also feel tired and weak, making them prone to falls. This can make them frailer and less able to recover from infections or viruses. There can be lots of reasons why your loved one isn’t eating, such as; ill-fitting dentures, trouble swallowing or not recognising they feel hungry. This may take some detective work to establish before finding a suitable solution. Often the issue is simply your loved one has forgotten the steps involved in preparing food. Recently when talking to a family member about their loved one (whom we have just started supporting), we asked as she lives alone, if they…

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