Heart at Home Care Services

08/09/2025

Carers in Street, Somerset 🗣️

Does anyone have late evening availability? Monday-Friday…

31/08/2025

🧠 Understanding Dementia: Behaviors as Communication

When someone is living with dementia, words often become harder to find. Instead, behaviors become their voice. Every action—whether it’s pacing, calling out, refusing care, or repeating questions—can carry meaning. For caregivers, learning to “listen” beyond words is essential for providing comfort, dignity, and connection.
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Why People Express Needs Through Behaviors?
People with dementia may show emotions and needs through actions rather than speech due to:

• Changes in the brain → Dementia affects memory, language, and judgment, making verbal expression difficult.

• Unmet physical needs → Hunger, thirst, fatigue, pain, or needing the toilet can trigger restlessness or agitation.

• Emotional factors → Fear, loneliness, confusion, or a need for security often show up as repeated questions, pacing, or seeking attention.

• Environmental stressors → Too much noise, clutter, or sudden changes can overwhelm someone’s senses.
In short, behavior is communication—it’s how they “tell” us something is wrong or needed.

Common behaviors and possible meanings:

• Pacing/“wandering”: Need to move, toilet, relieve pain; searching for someone/something familiar; past roles (e.g., “going to work”).

• Agitation or striking out: Pain, fear, feeling rushed or cornered; confusing instructions; sensory overload.

• Refusal of care: Preserving autonomy; embarrassment; too cold/hot; not understanding the step; male/female caregiver preference.

• Repetition/calling out: Anxiety, loneliness, boredom, reassurance-seeking; untreated hearing/vision problems.

• Disrobing: Too warm/itchy clothing; needing the toilet; skin irritation.

Interpreting behavior is not guessing emotions—it’s assessing needs.
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How Caregivers Can Support People Living with dementia

1. Pause & Observe Before Reacting
Take a deep breath and stay calm. Look closely at what triggered the behavior—are they tired, hungry, or in pain?

2. Look for Unmet Needs
Use a quick checklist:
• Are they in pain, thirsty, hungry, or uncomfortable?
• Do they need the toilet or rest?
• Are they cold, hot, or overstimulated?

3. Validate Their Feelings
Instead of correcting them, acknowledge their emotions:
“I can see you’re upset. I’m here to help.”
This creates safety and trust.

4. Adjust the Environment
• Reduce noise and clutter
• Ensure proper lighting
• Keep routines predictable and simple

5. Use Gentle Communication
• Speak slowly, calmly, and with short, simple sentences
• Use eye contact, touch (if welcomed), and reassuring tone
• Offer choices: “Would you like tea or water?”

6. Engage Them in Meaningful Activities
Sometimes agitation comes from boredom or frustration. Familiar music, looking at old photos, walking in the garden, or folding towels can provide comfort.

7. Seek Medical Guidance When Needed
If behaviors change suddenly, consult a healthcare provider. Pain, infections, or medication side effects may be the cause.

Quick “Do / Don’t” guide
Do:
• Approach calmly; introduce yourself each time.
• Validate feelings; offer one-step instructions and simple choices.
• Adjust routine and environment.
• Keep glasses/hearing aids working; check for pain and constipation.
• Involve them in familiar, purposeful activity.

Don’t:
• Argue, quiz, or correct reality (“No, your mother died years ago”).
• Rush care tasks or crowd the person.
• Use physical restraint unless there is immediate, unavoidable danger.
• Ignore sudden behavioral changes—seek medical advice promptly.
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Key Takeaway

Every behavior tells a story. By slowing down, observing, and responding with empathy, caregivers can reduce stress, prevent escalation, and build connection. Your calm presence, patience, and understanding are powerful tools in supporting someone living with dementia. ❤️

23/04/2025

Can anyone please recommend a mobile hairdresser for an elderly couple in Street, Somerset? (Both short cuts) 👴👵🙏

05/03/2025

⬇️ My story ⬇️

I became a carer for my beloved Nanny in the last few years of her life. She was in the mid to late stages of Dementia.
I didn’t really hesitate to give up work to support her..I was already experienced in professional care work, so it seemed to make perfect sense!

It was amazing to begin with! I got to spend so much time with her & there were loads of laughs 😊
But as the Dementia progressed it became much tougher to connect with her..and I had seriously underestimated how having a personal relationship with someone could effect my care giving 😅
It became so hard to approach things with her rationally, as my emotions would get the better of me instead 😔
Fortunately I wasn’t the only family care giver, so I was able to share my struggles and get respite when I needed.. but it was still one of the hardest things I’ve ever done!

It was totally worth it though! My Nanny spent lots of time looking after me and I believe it was a true blessing that I had the opportunity to return the favour 🥰
I definitely didn’t always get it right but I tried the very best I could 💗

Remember her today on her birthday - Always caring, always fun, always inspiring to me to work hard & carry on when things get tough 🫶🇮🇹💪

23/02/2025

Caring for a loved one with dementia can feel overwhelming, lonely, and confusing—but you don’t have to do it alone.
I started this page to share practical tips, emotional support, and resources to help family carers navigate this journey with confidence and compassion.

If you’re caring for someone, you’re doing an amazing job—even on the hard days. Let’s do this together 💚

Follow for more caregiving advice!

21/02/2025

I can’t believe I’ve been self-employed for almost two years now!

I used to doubt whether I could make it work, but with a little encouragement from my loved ones—and the right timing—I took the leap. And I’m so glad I did!

Now, I get to spend my time providing a meaningful service to people I truly admire, all while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Of course, there are still tough days (because what journey doesn’t have them?), but in the wise words of Ronan K… “Life is a rollercoaster, just gotta ride it!” 😉

~diaryofanewbie

18/02/2025

Losing a loved one is never easy 🖤

During difficult times, small gestures of kindness can mean more than we realize—a warm meal when energy is low, a clean and cozy bed to rest in, a reassuring hug, or a thoughtful card and flowers. 💐

Always aim to provide gentle, reliable support when it’s needed most 🫶🏽

17/02/2025

Morning all!

How lush is this little guy! Fun art project with one of my clients 🥰

Welcoming everybody in at Southlawns - Somerset Care 🫶🏽
Let me know if you see him!