Simon Says

10/05/2025

Well following on from yesterday’s post Dad wasn’t questioning ‘why am I here?’ when he took a trip out to my house for the day!

Dad hasn’t been able to access my home and I can’t tell you how heart warming it feels to finally be able to have him over and make him super happy 😄

Stimulation ✔️
Sunshine 🌞
Memories 📖
Love ❤️
Laughter 🤭
Good food in his tummy 🍲

Oh and did I mention he now wants to move in with me 🤣🥹❤️

08/05/2025

Dementia and understanding where you are;

Dad often will ask me this, he doesn’t actually know he has dementia you see, in fact he doesn’t think there’s really anything wrong with him. This can be great at times, but others highly frustrating.

For years he has wondered why he can’t just go back home, home was with his Dad before his stroke. This is where he was before the 999 call was made. It makes me sad when he doesn’t feel a sense of belonging, it can create such anxiety and agitation, home is our comfort and safe space.

05/05/2025

Cognitive stimulation is so important and something I’m so passionate about.

I couldn’t take Dad to a recent trip to Weston, however just a little postcard and a magnet took him right back! We spoke about the many trips from when I was a little girl and you can just see his mind going crazy and filling with lots of memories, he gets so enthusiastic and it is beautiful to see.

The smallest things can bring the greatest pleasures.

02/05/2025

We forget how important a cuddle is and how great it can be for our health and wellbeing.

SWIPE ⬅️ to see the sweetest cuddle of Simon with his beautiful granddaughter.

I’m really passionate about bringing children and those living with dementia together one day… somehow! The stimulation his grandchildren give him is so beautiful to see, it’s effortless and great when you struggle to get a loved one involved in activity.

28/04/2025

What a superman he is!!

We have had some really challenging times in the last couple of weeks but, also some really positive moments where we’ve made some happy memories together.

24/04/2025

Reminiscence therapy is a powerful way to connect with those living with dementia—by sparking memories, storytelling, and emotions that feel familiar and comforting.

Looking through photo albums, listening to old songs, or chatting about “the good old days” can bring smiles, laughter, and sometimes even clarity. It’s not just about remembering—it’s about reconnecting.

23/04/2025

22/04/2025

Simon Says can provide home help services. We have a focus and passion to deliver activity and stimulation for those living with Dementia.

21/04/2025

Thinking and planning…

Dad is really starting to struggle with the thinking and planning of most things. The frontal lobe manages these functions however, you can really see recently how much more this is affecting him.

Every room and side has things everywhere as he now is aware they are to be put away but, he doesn’t quite know what to do with them. This side is an example and I’m trying to think of the ways I can help to support him. He will have a wallet but, not put change in it, he has money boxes but, will use these to display and not to put coins in. So, after a recent visit to Weston and the grand pier, I thought about the past and how much Dad loved taking us to the amusements arcades. He actually loved seeing this coin pot from the arcades and I have left it on his side with the coins in to see if his brain starts to think, “this is where the coins go”, so let’s see if this works. I’m also going to label some cupboards and drawers, he will take his pile of clothes and just have them all over the home, he doesn’t know to put them away any more, so I will trial labelling to see if this helps, however his reading hasn’t been the best since his stroke, maybe some images to support this will help 🤔

I hope some of my tips can help for those living with dementia.

20/04/2025

Dad often says this to me ⬆️

He doesn’t know he has dementia, he is in the mid stages but, it’s his little way of saying I don’t know what’s really going on but, I still have feelings and emotions.

Just because someone who has dementia may lose who they used to be, this new version of themselves still has feelings.

Dad suffers with some challenging behaviours, but I really do think the best thing you can do sometimes is just agree and let them be heard and ensure they still feel valued, even if what they are saying doesn’t make too much sense.

14/04/2025

SMILE 🤩

So, lovely to see Dad smiling, he’s having many challenging days at the moment so, to get sent a photo like this from the care manager means so much!!

Caring for someone can be tough, don’t forget to stay connected with us this week to hear about our upcoming event.