Helping Manchester families care for loved ones with dementia at home.
Support for dementia carers in Manchester Central & Tameside with advice, routines, and home care.
If you’re caring for a loved one with dementia in Manchester Central or Tameside, you may be asking yourself how to support them effectively without becoming overwhelmed. The answer lies in consistent routines, compassionate communication, and trusted local support. As Dementia Action Week (19–25 May 2025) approaches, it’s the perfect time to explore how tailored, professional care at home can help individuals with dementia live well—while ensuring family carers are supported too. At Home Instead Manchester Central & Tameside, we believe that meaningful care comes from understanding, flexibility, and compassion.
In this blog, we share practical advice, emotional support strategies, and local resources that can help families feel more confident and connected as they support a loved one living with dementia.
Dementia Action Week 2025: Local Support from Home Instead
At Home Instead Manchester Central & Tameside, we’re proud to support Dementia Action Week (19–25 May 2025) by offering a series of local initiatives aimed at raising awareness, sharing practical advice, and providing reassurance to families in our community.
Whether you’re just starting to explore dementia care or already navigating the daily challenges, our team is here to listen, support, and guide you through every step of the journey. Please get in touch to find out how we can help or to learn more about our events during Dementia Action Week.
Building Routines to Support Everyday Care
Daily routines offer security and comfort for individuals living with dementia. Familiar activities such as getting dressed, having meals, and taking medication may become more challenging, but small adjustments can make a meaningful difference.
Helpful approaches include:
- Keeping regular times for bathing, dressing, meals, and activities.
- Writing down appointments and reminders clearly in a visible location.
- Encouraging participation in favourite activities, scheduled consistently.
- Supporting with medication by using pill organisers or reminder systems.
- Choosing clothing that is simple to manage, such as elastic waistbands or large zips.
When assisting with personal care, it is important to communicate gently and calmly. Talking the person through each step of what you are doing can reduce confusion and help them feel at ease. Simple additions to the home, such as sturdy shower chairs, can also increase safety while promoting as much independence as possible.
Adapting to Changes in Communication and Behaviour
Dementia often affects the way people communicate. Your loved one may find it challenging recalling words or conversations or may seem anxious or unsettled. These changes can be difficult, but they are a part of the condition; these behaviours are often related to confusion or unmet needs.
To help ease communication challenges:
- Speak calmly and offer reassurance if they seem upset.
- Give choices wherever possible, allowing them a sense of control.
- Respect their personal space and comfort levels.
- Incorporate quiet, restful periods into the day alongside activities.
- Keep familiar items like photographs or treasured objects nearby.
- If memory fails, gently remind them who you are without insisting.
Sometimes a shared activity, such as looking through an old photo album, can help maintain a strong connection when words feel out of reach.
Encouraging a Healthy and Active Lifestyle
Keeping physically and mentally active is important for everyone, including those living with dementia. It can help maintain physical health, encourage social interaction, and boost wellbeing.
Ways to promote a healthy, active life include:
- Choosing activities the person has always enjoyed, such as gardening, light baking, or simple dance routines.
- Helping initiate activities, as starting can sometimes feel overwhelming.
- Using music to bring energy and motivation into daily life.
- Offering several shorter activities instead of long sessions to prevent fatigue.
- Preparing easy-to-make, nutritious meals and offering choices, such as, “Would you like a jacket potato or a sandwich?”
Even gentle exercise, like a stroll around the garden or a few stretches, can offer benefits without feeling challenged at times.
Making the Home Safer
Creating a supportive living environment is important for preserving independence while minimising risk. Simple, thoughtful adjustments can make a real difference.
Some practical safety tips include:
- Installing handrails along stairs and applying brightly coloured tape to step edges.
- Removing trip hazards such as loose rugs and exposed wires.
- Fitting safety plugs in unused electrical sockets.
- Using secure locks on cupboards that contain cleaning products or other hazards.
- Ensuring good lighting throughout the home and avoiding overwhelming patterns in décor.
Small changes help reduce risks and provide reassurance both for the person with dementia and their family carers.
Looking After Your Own Wellbeing
Caring for someone with dementia is often physically and emotionally demanding. It is essential to recognise that your wellbeing matters just as much as the person you are supporting.
Ways to protect your own health and emotional resilience:
- Reach out for help from family, friends, and professional services.
- Maintain a healthy diet and stay hydrated.
- Join a local or online carers’ support group to connect with others in similar situations.
- Make time for personal hobbies, friendships, and moments of rest.
- Keep active with manageable activities such as gentle yoga or walking.
- Practise mindfulness or relaxation techniques to manage stress levels.
- Seek professional advice if you are experiencing ongoing feelings of sadness or anxiety.
Taking regular short breaks throughout the day and, when needed, making use of respite care services can allow you time to recharge.
Planning for the Future
Although it may feel difficult to discuss, early conversations about future care preferences and financial matters can make things much clearer later.
Key areas to think about:
- Talking with your loved one about healthcare preferences, including treatment wishes.
- Arranging lasting power of attorney for health and financial decisions.
- Speaking with healthcare professionals, solicitors, and banks to set up appropriate permissions.
- Considering future care needs, such as adaptations to the home, professional carers visiting the home, or if needed, exploring care home options in the future.
- Discussing end-of-life care wishes to ensure that the person’s voice remains central to any decisions made later.
Open, respectful conversations now can bring peace of mind to everyone involved.
Contributing to Dementia Research
Taking part in dementia research can offer opportunities for carers and people living with dementia to access new information, resources, and support. Local clinical trials are often available and can be found easily by searching online based on your postcode, city, or region.
Trusted Resources for Dementia Support
Many organisations provide excellent information and help for families caring for someone with dementia, including:
Locally, Home Instead Manchester Central & Tameside can offer expert advice, practical support, and tailored home care services for families navigating dementia.
You do not have to face this alone. A strong network of support can make the challenges of caregiving more manageable and ensure that your loved one continues to live with dignity, purpose, and as much independence as possible.
Final Thoughts
Caring for a family member with dementia is a path that brings both difficulties and precious moments of connection. By creating consistent routines, adapting communication styles, encouraging healthy activities, ensuring home safety, and looking after your own needs, you are doing something truly important.
Home Instead Manchester Central & Tameside stands ready to support families at every stage of this journey. With compassionate guidance, practical help, and respect for the individual needs of each person, you can continue to find meaningful moments even through the challenges of dementia.
If you would like to learn more about the dementia support services we offer, or you simply want to speak to someone who understands, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Help is available – and you do not have to walk this path alone.
