How do i help

elainelulu

hi i am a carer for someone with early dementia who is finding it hard to shop. Still has some very good memories likes what they like but doesnt want help yet. Looked on line for shopping reminders besides lists . You can have a good conversation with them but likes everything in routine but buying double all the time. Routine is important at moment its working. Doesnt like people saying do this do that. If you talk to him not tell him it seems to work. He makes lots of lists e.g tv to watch ,spoons in right place . Right plates to use for meals etc. Not ready for me doing shopping yet. But people are telling him to slow down . Sorry if i sound patronising but thinking there must be something that would help. thks

chesky

When you say you're a carer, do you mean he's a friend or relative, or are you a paid carer? If the former, could you time your weekly shop to be at the same time as his, so you could go round the supermarket together?

elainelulu

yes i am a paid carer but he is a really nice gent. What family he has left are nice too. We were just discussing how to help, i am not insured to take him shopping but it would have been a good idea. My oldest daughter came up with an idea which i think might help, take pictures of what he buys on a regular basis then put it in a flip photo album and take the photo out he doesnt need to buy that week. It might work going to try it. Thanks for your reply.

Savvy_Sue

I don't know if this would help, but for years I have had a shopping list which lists all the things I regularly use, and the 'basic stock level' shown. So I whizz round and check what's running low, and write down how many of that item I need, eg if the basic list says

tinned tomatoes: 6
Baked Beans: 6
Orange Juice: 6
Apple Juice: 6

and I've got 2 of each of those, I'll write '4' to the left of each of them, to show I need to buy 4 more.

It served me very well when the boys were younger, I could even get them to prepare the list. Although DH just ignores parts of the list and only tells me he didn't check the fridge / freezer once we're in the supermarket!!!