Dementia Friendly Project with Bob’s Brainwaves

Alongside the pack, Chris asked Widgit if we would support by providing some symbolised content as she had used symbols when Bob was at home.

“As his Alzheimer’s disease progressed, Bob had real problems with sequencing the order of getting dressed and undressed. He would, for example, place his vest over his shirt. I used some lengths of Velcro strips and laminated Widgit Symbols to arrange the right order of dressing himself to help me help him get dressed.

He put the picture onto the next blank Velcro strip as he dressed. This was invaluable to me because it gave me vital minutes to get myself ready and kept him using his brain and maintaining his independence.

I never imagined the level of support Widgit would provide. It really is quite overwhelming – the staff at Widgit must be very special people! I am so grateful and appreciative, my heart is just swelling! ”

Chris Suich, Bob's Brainwaves

Widgit were proud to support this project free of charge, working alongside the team at Bob's Brainwaves and other families to create these resources.

Here’s what other families are already saying about the resources:

“At the end of February 2023 my husband was diagnosed with dementia and have been regular attendees of the Memories Matter (dementia café) in Louth.

In January 2024, I was given a copy of some visual signage, produced by Widgit Software, to use within my home to aid my husband gain access to different rooms within our home. He is colour blind and only sees different shades of grey. He would often feel trapped; getting confused and stressed negotiating his way around the house.

The signs help with his independence and for myself I feel happier to leave him within the home when I pop out to the shops.”

Paula

“My dad was diagnosed with Dementia and Parkinsons in May 2022 and sadly passed away in June 2023. When my dad was alive, I used yellow sticky notes around the house – ‘Do not switch off’, ‘Please turn off the tap’ and many more but they would often fall off and I would have to reproduce.

In February, I was asked by Jayne who runs the local Dementia Café in Louth to review the signage produced by Widgit Software. I was impressed with the quality of the signage and would have used around the house to aid my father’s independence within his home.”

Samantha

Widgit are not dementia experts, and these resources have been created in partnership with those who have lived with dementia in their lives.

We hope that you find them useful and that they offer some support for you and your loved ones.

More information about Bob’s Brainwaves can be found at www.bobsbrainwaves.org.uk