Elderflower Care and Support

04/04/2026

01/04/2026

Happy Birthday to the Swish team 🎉

29/03/2026

Yesterday afternoon, I supported and enabled a gentleman (and very proud Dad) to watch his daughter in rehearsal.

Sitting at lengh of an evening isn't always possible but thankfully Milo from ESO was happy for us to sit and watch as everyone rehursed for Saturday nights main performance!

It was so lovely to hear it all coming together. Thank you for having us Exeter Symphony Orchestra 👏 🎶

22/03/2026

💧🥗 Small Changes That Can Improve Nutrition & Prevent Dehydration

Sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference to health and wellbeing.

Here are a few simple ways to support good nutrition and hydration:

🥤 Offer drinks regularly 🫖
Small, frequent drinks are often easier than large amounts at once.

🍓 Use high-water foods 🍉
Fruit, yogurt, jelly, soups, and ice lollies all help with hydration.

🍽️ Serve smaller, more frequent meals
This can be easier for people with smaller appetites.

🥛 Fortify everyday foods
Add milk powder, cheese, cream, or yogurt to boost calories and protein.

🍦 Make food appealing
Colourful plates, favourite foods, and sweet options often encourage eating.

🧊 Try alternatives to drinks
Ice cream, smoothies, milkshakes, and fruit pots can increase fluid intake.

👀 Watch for early signs 👀
Fatigue, confusion, dry lips, dark urine, or loss of appetite can signal dehydration or poor nutrition.

Small changes can make a big difference to health, energy, and wellbeing.

21/03/2026

🌿 Looking for kind, reliable care for a loved one in our local area? 🌿

20/03/2026

🥗 Early Signs of Nutritional Deficiency

Good nutrition is essential for energy, immunity, and overall health. When someone isn’t getting the nutrients they need, the signs can appear gradually.

⚠️ Early signs to watch for:
• Tiredness or low energy
• Unintentional weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Pale skin
• Hair thinning or hair loss
• Brittle nails
• Frequent illness or infections
• Slow wound healing
• Muscle weakness

🧠 In older adults or people living with dementia you may also notice:
• Increased confusion
• Mood changes or irritability
• Reduced interest in food
• Difficulty concentrating

💡 Tip: Small, regular meals and nutrient-dense snacks (yogurt, eggs, smoothies, soups, fortified milk) can help maintain good nutrition.

19/03/2026

💡 Quick care-home trick:
Put things in small colourful bowls or finger-food portions so the people you care for can just pick them up and eat without thinking about “drinking”.

18/03/2026

💧 Early Signs of Dehydration to Watch For

Dehydration can happen quickly, especially in older adults or people living with dementia. Spotting the early signs can help prevent serious health problems.

⚠️ Common early signs:
• Dry mouth or cracked lips
• Dark yellow or strong-smelling urine
• Headache
• Feeling tired or low energy
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Dry skin
• Passing urine less often

🧠 In people with dementia, dehydration may also show as:
• Increased confusion
• Agitation or behaviour changes
• Refusing food or drinks
• Being sleepier than usual

💡 Tip: Check urine colour, look for dry lips or mouth, and notice any sudden behaviour changes.

Keeping hydration up with drinks, jelly, fruit, soups, ice lollies, and yogurt can make a big difference.

16/03/2026

Top tip:

Jelly, Ice lollies and Watermelon are great hydration equivalent.

16/03/2026

💧🥗 Kick-starting the week with a focus on nutrition and hydration.🥗💧

Small, simple changes can make a big difference to health and wellbeing — especially for older adults and people living with dementia.