Market Harborough care home shares top tips for an im-peck-ably dementia-friendly Easter

A new care home due to open in Market Harborough later this year has shared its top tips to keep Easter celebrations egg-citing for everyone.  

The advice was compiled by Care UK’s Oat Hill Mews, on Leicester Road, in partnership with dementia expert Suzanne Mumford to help families hop into a stress-free Easter weekend.     

Susanne Stevens, Home Manager at Oat Hill Mews, said: “Easter is coming up, and it often means spending quality time together with family. While this is an occasion that those who celebrate look forward to, it can come with its own challenges when caring for a loved one living with dementia – but we’re here to help. 

Keep everyone involved

“Involving everyone in the preparations is a great way to ensure your loved ones can feel part of the celebration and retain some independence. It doesn’t have to be a big job – smaller things like helping to set the table or decorate, prepare the food or even hide the Easter eggs for younger relatives, for example, are ideal. 

Hop down memory lane 

“Reminiscing is a powerful tool to help support those living with dementia – and big occasions like Easter provide the perfect opportunity to take your relative for a trip down memory lane.  

“Ask your loved ones questions about how they used to celebrate Easter when they were younger. If you can, why not try and recreate some of their old traditions too to make it extra special? Little details can make a world of difference and unlock positive memories. 

Think nutrition 

“We know just how challenging it can be to help a loved one living with dementia follow a nutritional diet. If an older relative struggles to maintain a healthy weight or to be fully hydrated, occasions like these offer opportunities for extra nutrition and hydration in a fun, engaging way – and who doesn’t love a bit of chocolate? 

Take a yolk on the wild side

“Get some fresh air together by inviting your loved ones to take part in the egg hunt. The smallest change of scenery can do wonders for people living with dementia – and exercise has been proven to greatly help older people maintain their strength and mobility while reducing stress. 

Have fun!

“This is probably the most important piece of advice on the list. Easter is all about family fun – and living with dementia shouldn’t change this. Take this opportunity to spend quality time together by inviting them to take part in various games throughout the weekend. 

“We hope these tips prove useful and would like to wish the Market Harborough community a happy Easter on behalf of all of us at Oat Hill Mews.” 

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, the new care home, which is set to open in September later this year, will incorporate space for hobby and leisure activities. 

To find out more about the care home, contact Customer Relations Manager at Oat Hill Mews, Mark Evans, on Mark Evans mark.evans@careuk.com or call 01858 390 039.  

For general information about Oat Hill Mews, please visit careuk.com/oat-hill-mews