Arlene Philips Launches New Activities Book for People Living with Dementia

Online, June 20, 2013 (Newswire.com) - TV talent show judge and choreographer Arlene Phillips has launched a new guide that shows supporting someone living with dementia is not always as difficult as it first seems.

To coincide with National Care Home Open Day this Friday (June 21), leading care provider Care UK has created a special guide to provide 100 practical tips to those caring for friends or family affected dementia at home, and for people visiting loved ones in residential care.

The publication, As Easy as ABC, can be downloaded from [url:http://www.careuk.com] and will be available from all 107 Care UK residential care homes on the open day

Arlene, who was awarded a CBE for her services to charity in the New Year Honours list, is a passionate advocate for better care for elderly people. She cared for her father before the time came when he needed full-time residential care due to the effects of Alzheimer's disease.

"Deciding that residential care was the right way forward was tremendously difficult," Arlene revealed.

"He forgot things like where he lived and leaving the gas on and I took up the role of carer. But eventually his mental state deteriorated to the point where I knew the care I was giving was not enough. With a heavy heart, I decided he needed professional help.

"I personally struggled to make the most out of the final years I spent with my father. Having ideas on how to spend time with him like those in the As Easy as ABC guide would have helped a great deal but now others can benefit."

The book, targeted primarily at the families and carers of the estimated 800,000 people with dementia in the UK, aims to give home carers some ideas and inspiration for ways to get the most out of the time they spend looking after a loved one.

We also know from feedback that people who visit people in our care homes often find they are unsure of what to say or do, so the activity ideas are to help people get the most out of their visits too.

From the best way to make breakfast to ideas on using the internet to trigger memories of household products, packaging and advertisements from the past, Care UK's booklet gives practical tips on maintaining quality of life.

Ideas include craft activities and games for the whole, ways to spark memories and conversations, tips for making the most of meals together and advice for exercise and fun days out and about.

Deirdre Timney, Care UK's expert on activity-based care, said: "Thousands of people around the country are caring for a friend or loved one who is living with dementia, and many of them will never have access to any kind of training or support.

"This book is designed to offer real-life examples and practical hints and tips about how to care for someone, and some of them may be a surprise.

"For example, we suggest that sometimes taking a step back and doing a little less can be the best way to help someone keep their independence.

"We've included a wide range of ideas, from simply reminiscing over old photos to gentle exercise and how to manage trips out."

Care UK looks after 6,000 people in over 100 residential care homes through out the UK.