Supporting people with dementia when the clocks change this weekend 

Dear Editor,

As the evenings get lighter, many of us will be enjoying the milder weather and longer daylight hours.

However, Alzheimer’s Society Cymru  know that for people with dementia, changing the clocks can leave them feeling disorientated – more so when we turn them back an hour in October but there can still be an impact when they go forward an hour on Sunday 27 March.

Routine is important for people with dementia, so a change in timings – even just by an hour – can sometimes cause confusion. 

Alzheimer’s Society Cymru has put together some top tips for people affected by dementia to help minimise confusion that may be caused by the clocks going forward:

• Make sure all the clocks in the house are changed at the same time – preferably when the person with dementia has gone to bed
• Using curtains and blinds – blackout blinds if necessary – can help a person with dementia to be more aligned with the time of day
• Doing regular activities at the same time each day – for example, going out for a walk after breakfast, playing a game after lunch or listening to the radio together in the afternoon can help make sense of the time.

Losing an hour of sleep can also impact carers or family members, especially if they are already sleep-deprived.

Alzheimer’s Society Cymru is here for anyone affected by dementia, with its expert Dementia Advisers available to give support, advise and information over the phone to anyone concerned about a loved one’s condition.

If you’re affected by dementia, call Alzheimer’s Society Cymru’s Dementia Connect support line on 0333 150 3456 or 0330 094 7400 (Welsh-speaking number) or visit alzheimers.org.uk

Cheryl James

Alzheimer’s Society Cymru – Services Area Manager