Ruth

A vintage Christmas will go down well. Bring back the simplicity of those days. Get a piano player so you can have carols around the piano like they did in their own homes. Punch bowls for drinks and traditional veg and turkey. You will have to cater for other tastes food wise but if the theme is a vintage Christmas it can involve a lot of talking about what Christmas use to be like before the Sept start in the shops, computers, telephones, TV's and the way it is now. Christmas then was about family and coming together what a lovely memory to leave your guests with.

look up the site Move it or Loose it - their sessions are great fun and easy to follow.

Hi Robyn
Moving someone into a residential home when they have memory problems is always confusing for them. They will always say they want to go home. The best thing you can do is to show them their room with their own belongings in it and say this is your home, look this is your ...... pointing out different items which came in with them. They are seeking reassurance as they tend to feel unsafe. Transition for someone with memory problems is a long process and it is by reminding them this is there home, this is where their partner is, this is where their items are etc trying to get them to set the room up how they would have had it in their last home where possible also helps. Talk with any family or friends find out what a usual daily routine looked like, do like the others say and keep the wife busy, make her feel she is needed there. They will settle but it takes time. If she seems really distressed talk with her GP as sometimes they can give medication to help elevate the stress but only as a last resort. I agree with making the door to their room individual to them. if there is no one to ask about the past do a life story book with them so they give you the information you need to help you have communication with them on subjects they recognize. Good Luck Im sure it will all work out well.