Staying Independent

Talk to trusted people – family, friends, neighbours, or professionals – about what you're going through. Sharing lightens the load and allows others to support you with tasks and emotional care. Stay connected, in person, and/or with calls, and consider local support groups for understanding and connection

Focus on the person's strengths and abilities rather than limitations. Approach each interaction with patience, understanding, and empathy. "I keep my independence by focusing on what I can do, I know that I am not great in my own company so being with people really helps me. I will use activities like art, puzzles, etc to seek my independence". - Keith Oliver

Smart devices such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home can make a big difference! They can help with reminders, calls, and listening to music. Relish has some great options, too, like the Day Hub (it's a day clock and task manager in one) and the super simple Relish Radio. They're all about promoting independence and confidence. Have a chat with your support network and see what other smart devices might be a good fit.

If too much tech is overwhelming, things like calendars, clocks, and whiteboards can make it easier to remember appointments and daily routines. Visual cues, like pictures or symbols, and written reminders such as notes and lists can also give a boost to memory and make things a little simpler.

Encourage a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, regular exercise, consistent sleeping patterns. Stay active in whatever way works best for them - whether it's a daily walk around the neighbourhood, gentle gardening, or chair yoga exercises. Regular movement benefits physical health and keeps their mind engaged through changing environments and routines.

Maintaining a regular and familiar routine can provide structure and predictability (e.g. Breakfast at 8am, daily walk at 9am, neighbourly chat 11am), the structure can help ease feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. A routine ensures daily needs are met, improving mood and independence. Check out the Relish Day Hub – it's designed to help with just these kinds of needs. 

Offering choices is a great way to improve independence – even small decisions can make a big difference. Try asking, 'Would you like to do this or that?' Think about activities they've always enjoyed, like gardening, painting, or visits with family and friends, and encourage them to participate. And remember, breaking tasks down into smaller steps makes things easier and less frustrating. 

It's okay to ask for and accept help when you need it. This can help you, and help your loved one maintain independence, helping you both feel more at ease at home. Whether it's technology support, a friendly visit, or assistance with errands, your loved ones will be happy to help you. 

If they are still working, be open with their manager and colleagues about what they are experiencing. Discuss ways to adapt their role so they can continue to contribute. Maintaining a work routine can be beneficial, as it provides a sense of structure and predictability.

Navigating this all can be really challenging, reaching out to professionals is a great idea. An occupational therapist can offer personalised tips and strategies to make everyday activities easier, and dementia care specialists or support organisations can provide helpful information, resources, and emotional support.

Adapting their environment to make navigation easier and improve
safety will help them feel more confident living at home. Small changes like:

• Keep pathways clear: Remove unnecessary furniture from hallways and make sure there's enough walkway space between furniture.
• Lighting: Bright, consistent lighting helps reduce confusing shadows and glare, and improves depth perception for safer navigation. 
• Labelling: Use labels and signs on cupboards and doors (e.g., "toilet" on the bathroom, "keys" where they're kept). Labels provide a consistent, visual reminder of what things are and where they belong, reducing the cognitive load and simplifying the environment.
• Safety: Check your alarms regularly – gas, smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide – to ensure they're working. Consider additional safety measures like secure locks, extra alarms, or a personal emergency response system.
• Keep it familiar: Try to keep furniture and belongings in their usual places.