Pyjamas with a Purpose: Simple Idea Transforms Dementia Care

A Care Professional from Home Instead Newport, Market Drayton & Wellington has made a remarkable difference to a client’s daily life through a simple yet deeply thoughtful approach to dementia care.

Jai Wilson, who joined Home Instead in January 2026, supports a client living with dementia whose evening visits had become increasingly challenging. As the day came to a close, the client would often feel disorientated, leading to confusion, anxiety, and reluctance to begin their bedtime routine.

Driven by a passion to make a difference, Jai drew on both professional insight and personal experience.

“I’ve always wanted to help people,” Jai explains. “It makes me happy knowing I’ve made someone’s day better, even in a small way. I also supported my great-grandad who lived with dementia, and that experience stayed with me.”

Understanding that dementia care must be tailored to each individual, Jai began exploring new ways to support the client during evening visits. Working collaboratively with the care team and inspired by a suggestion from colleague Carri-Anne, Jai introduced a simple but powerful idea, wearing pyjamas to visits as a visual cue that it was time to wind down.

Jai said,

“I started researching different strategies and thought about going in my pyjamas to help them understand it was bedtime. I tried it out and saw a positive effect straight away. Since then, I’ve worn all sorts of fun and colourful pyjamas, and my client absolutely loves it.”

The impact was immediate. The client became calmer, more relaxed, and more receptive to their evening routine. What was once a difficult time of day has been transformed into a positive and even enjoyable experience, often filled with laughter.

“It puts a smile on my face knowing my client feels at ease and gets a laugh out of it,” Jai adds. “Evenings are now much calmer for both the client and their family. It’s become a bit of a talking point; everyone wonders what I’ll turn up in next!”

Jai is passionate about the importance of person-centred care, emphasising that no single approach works for everyone.

“Supporting someone with dementia has to be personal. It’s about really getting to know them—what they enjoy, their life story, what makes them smile and using that to support them in the best way possible.”

This small but meaningful idea highlights the power of creativity, compassion, and teamwork in care. By thinking differently and focusing on what truly matters to the individual, Care Professionals like Jai continue to make a lasting impact.

“To some, wearing pyjamas to work might seem like a small thing,” Jai reflects. “But to the client and their family, it can mean everything. Seeing their smiles and hearing their laughter, it’s an amazing feeling. That’s what care should be about, making sure people feel supported, understood, and never alone.”