Whether you’ve a friend or a relative living with dementia, and they’re in a care centre or at the Downsvale Nursing Home in Dorking, there’ll be times whenever you are going to want to get them out – maybe on special occasions like their birthdays or anniversaries. This may cause issues – taking someone living with dementia into a busy restaurant can be disconcerting, after all, these areas are very busy, noisy, and filled with people, resulting in distress.
It’s best to pick a restaurant that they know best and is not too fancy. When picking restaurant, a place with stalls is best. A booth divides your cherished one from the possibly confusing atmosphere of a restaurant, meaning you can both concentrate on each other and get the absolute most out of your time together and you can reassure them when needed.
Deciding on restaurant with easy accessibility is vital. Your companion may be perfectly mobile, but if the hassle of squeezing between tight tables is avoidable. It is even better if you’re able to eat out, as sunlight will help enhance their mood and provide a beneficial dose of D vitamin. D vitamin deficiency may result in symptoms comparable to those of Alzheimer’s disease, yet another reason to take your dementia friend to dine al fresco.
In order to prevent any confusion with the restaurant staff you could carry a sign to notify them that you are eating with a dementia person. If possible, select a place with a polite, understanding team. It may be tough to judge a restaurant on the first visit, but if you find a place with employees like this it’ll be worth going back. In case you find your cherished one is having a bad day on one of your visits, the team will be a priceless resource for handling them.
Avoid sitting in silence. If the service is slow, play a menu game by reading out the dishes to every other. Be patient and allow your cherished one take their time to determine what they want. Selecting from the big menu is a pleasure but may be overpowering to them. Whilst a dementia patient can have difficulty understanding, or making up their thoughts, don’t hesitate to order for your loved one. It is very possible that you would be helping by ordering food for them. If you consider these few things you’ll find eating out is an encounter that you are going to have a great deal of fun with, in addition to doing the world of good. You will be amazed by the number of strangers are helpful and understanding.
