Caring for someone with dementia at home is one of the most challenging and rewarding things a family can do. It requires patience, adaptability, and a deep well of compassion. But it is also possible, with the right knowledge and support, to help your loved one live well with dementia in the comfort of their own home.
This guide offers practical, everyday advice for families caring for someone with dementia in Denbighshire, Conwy, Wrexham, and across Wales. From establishing routines to making the home safer, communicating effectively, and knowing when to seek professional help, we cover the things that matter most.
Establishing a Daily Routine
Routine is one of the most powerful tools in dementia care. A predictable daily structure provides a sense of security and reduces the anxiety that comes from confusion and uncertainty. Here are some principles for building a good routine:
Keep It Consistent
Try to do things at roughly the same time each day — waking, meals, activities, bath time, and bedtime. The person may not remember what they did yesterday, but a familiar pattern of activity can feel comfortable and reassuring at a deep, instinctive level.
Build in Meaningful Activity
People with dementia need stimulation and purpose, just like anyone else. This does not mean filling every minute — rest is important too — but try to include activities the person enjoys or once enjoyed. This might be listening to music, looking through old photographs, gentle gardening, folding laundry, or going for a short walk.
The key is to focus on the experience, not the outcome. It does not matter if the laundry is not perfectly folded. What matters is that the person feels involved and valued.
Allow Extra Time
Everything takes longer when someone has dementia. Rushing creates stress for both of you. Build extra time into the daily routine so that tasks can be completed at a gentle pace. If dressing takes 30 minutes, then that is how long it takes — and that is fine.
Be Flexible
This may seem contradictory after emphasising routine, but the reality of dementia is that some days are better than others. If your loved one is having a difficult morning, it is perfectly acceptable to adjust the plan. The routine is a framework, not a rigid schedule.
Communication Tips
As dementia progresses, communication becomes more difficult. The person may struggle to find words, repeat themselves, become confused about time or place, or misunderstand what is being said to them. Here are some approaches that can help:
Speak Slowly and Clearly
Use short, simple sentences. Ask one question at a time and give the person plenty of time to respond. Resist the urge to finish their sentences or correct them — it is more important that they feel heard than that every detail is accurate.
Use Non-Verbal Communication
Facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language become increasingly important as verbal communication declines. A warm smile, gentle touch, or calm tone can convey reassurance even when words fail. Make eye contact and position yourself at the person’s level.
Avoid Arguing or Correcting
If your loved one says something that is not true — such as believing their deceased parent is still alive, or thinking they need to go to work — arguing will only cause distress. Instead, try to understand the emotion behind the statement. They may be expressing a need for comfort or familiarity. Acknowledge their feelings and gently redirect the conversation.
Use Reminiscence
Long-term memories are often preserved much longer than short-term ones. Talking about the past — childhood, careers, favourite holidays — can be a source of great pleasure and connection. Old photographs, familiar music, and objects from the past can prompt wonderful conversations.
Making the Home Safe
A safe home environment is essential for someone living with dementia. As the condition progresses, the person’s ability to recognise hazards and respond to danger diminishes. Here are practical steps to reduce risk:
Prevent Falls
- Remove loose rugs and secure any trailing cables
- Ensure good lighting throughout the home, especially on stairs and in hallways
- Install grab rails in the bathroom and by the bed
- Keep floors clear of clutter
- Consider motion-sensor night lights for night-time trips to the bathroom
Kitchen Safety
- Consider a cooker guard or switch to a microwave for heating food
- Store sharp knives and cleaning chemicals safely out of reach
- Use an automatic kettle that switches off when boiled
- If the person is forgetting to turn the cooker off, an isolation switch can be fitted
Prevent Wandering
Wandering is a common concern in dementia. Some practical measures include:
- Door sensors or alarms that alert you if an external door is opened
- A GPS tracking device or app, with the person’s consent where possible
- Ensuring the person carries identification with a contact number
- Registering with the Herbert Protocol through your local police force, which stores key information to help find a vulnerable person quickly if they go missing
Bathroom Safety
- Set the water temperature to prevent scalding (a thermostatic mixing valve is ideal)
- Use non-slip mats in the bath and shower
- Consider a walk-in shower if stepping over a bath is becoming difficult
- Lock away medications and cleaning products
Looking After Yourself
This is not an afterthought. If you are the primary carer for someone with dementia, your own physical and mental health must be a priority. Carer burnout is common and serious. Some important reminders:
- Accept help: When people offer to help, say yes. Even small acts — someone sitting with your loved one for an hour while you go for a walk — make a difference.
- Take regular breaks: Respite care exists specifically for this purpose. A professional care worker can step in while you take time to rest and recharge. Read our article on what respite care is and how it helps.
- Stay connected: Isolation is a risk for carers as well as for the people they look after. Try to maintain friendships and activities outside your caring role.
- Seek emotional support: Caring for someone with dementia can bring grief, frustration, and exhaustion. Talking to others who understand — whether through a local carers’ group, a helpline, or a counsellor — can be invaluable.
- Look after your physical health: Do not skip your own GP appointments. Eat properly. Move your body. These things matter.
When to Get Professional Help
There is no shame in recognising that you need professional support. In fact, involving a domiciliary care provider at the right time can significantly improve quality of life for both you and your loved one. Consider seeking professional help when:
- Personal care tasks such as washing and dressing become difficult or distressing
- The person is at risk of falls, wandering, or other safety concerns
- Behavioural changes — such as aggression, agitation, or sundowning — become difficult to manage
- Night-time disturbance is affecting your sleep and health
- You are feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or unable to cope
- The person’s needs have increased beyond what you can safely provide alone
Professional care does not have to mean replacing the care you give. It can complement it. Many families start with a few visits a week for personal care and gradually increase support as the condition progresses.
Local Dementia Services in Wales
There are a number of services and organisations that can provide support for people with dementia and their families in Denbighshire, Conwy, and Wrexham:
- Alzheimer’s Society Cymru: Offers a Dementia Connect support line, local support groups, and information resources. They also run Dementia Friends awareness sessions.
- Memory Assessment Services: Available through Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. Your GP can make a referral for a memory assessment if dementia is suspected.
- Dementia Actif: A programme in North Wales that provides activity and social opportunities for people living with dementia.
- Carers Trust Wales: Provides support, information, and grants for family carers, including those caring for someone with dementia.
- Age Cymru: Offers a free advice line and local services, including befriending and information on benefits and care options.
- Dewis Cymru: An online directory of wellbeing services in Wales where you can search for local dementia support.
Do not try to do everything alone. These organisations exist to help, and reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness.
How Accredilink Can Help
At Accredilink Community Response Taskforce, we provide domiciliary care for people living with dementia across Denbighshire, Conwy, and Wrexham. Our care workers are trained in dementia awareness and understand the importance of patience, consistency, and genuine human warmth.
We offer a range of services that can support someone with dementia and their family, including regular personal care visits, sit-in companionship services, respite care for family carers, social care and engagement, and emergency care response for urgent situations. We are regulated by Care Inspectorate Wales and committed to providing care that is safe, person-centred, and dignified.
If you are caring for someone with dementia and wondering whether professional support could help, we would love to hear from you. There is no obligation — we are simply here to listen, advise, and support you in whatever way we can.