Expert home carers from a York provider are helping families across the UK look after loved ones with Alzheimer’s after sharing 50 practical everyday tips.

Helping Hands Home Care has compiled the tips to mark World Alzheimer's Month, which runs throughout September and aims to raise awareness of the condition.

The tips have come directly from its highly experienced carers who support thousands of people living with dementia in their own homes across England and Wales every year. Advice includes improving communication, making small changes to a home and spotting the first signs of distress.

Honor Elliott, Clinical Manager at Helping Hands, oversees its team of in-house registered nurses, who deliver person-centred dementia training and delivers individualised support plans and risk assessments, helping to ensure people living with dementia receive safe, compassionate care tailored to their needs.

She said: “Every person living with Alzheimer's experiences the condition differently, which can make it difficult for families to know how best to support a loved one. That said, these tips are excellent starting points drawn from years of experience.
“For example, one of the most important tips within the 50 shared is to not argue with a loved one about their new reality. Correcting them when they say something wrong can cause distress, which can feel counterintuitive to many families.

“Another is not to assume every sudden change is caused by dementia. Confusion or distress can sometimes be linked to pain, infection, dehydration, medication or another health issue, so it is important to seek medical advice where there is a sudden or concerning change.”

Helping Hands is also using the campaign to highlight the early signs of Alzheimer's.

Common signs include memory lapses, trouble following conversations, finding the right words when speaking, confusion about where they are, and withdrawal from hobbies or social activities.

Families are encouraged to speak to a GP if they notice these changes. An early diagnosis can result in earlier access to support.

Honor added: “World Alzheimer's Month gives us an opportunity to talk openly about the condition and to give families extra support. As the country’s population continues to age, more and more people are likely to develop Alzheimer's. If more families and partners can understand the signs to look for and what steps they can put in place to help, the better off many people developing the condition will be.”

Helping Hands has been providing home care for more than 36 years and supports thousands of families living with dementia across England and Wales, with carers trained to help people remain in the homes and communities they know.

The full list of Helping Hands' 50 tips is available at 50 Tips for Alzheimer's Month | Helping Hands.