A charity has shared advice on how to care for a family member with dementia over the Easter holiday.

Dementia UK, which helps support people with dementia with specialist dementia nurses, is providing guidance for how to celebrate Easter while caring for a family member with the condition.

Mutsai Hove Bird, Admiral Nurse, said: “Easter is a time for many families to come together.

“However it can prove challenging for families if a family member has dementia, particularly if routines change and there are lots of people around.”

Mutsai advises people to make sure that family members with dementia are included in Easter activities, and ensure that these are tailored to their interests and abilities.

Families are also advised to invoke memories of Easter for their relative with dementia.

This might include attending an Easter church service or Seder dinner during Passover, watching an Easter themed film and eating hot cross buns and Simnel cake.

However, Mutsai also advises people to take time to themselves if needs be, and to ask other family members to help if you need time to relax and recharge, and to be sure to be prepared for any complications.

Useful preparations include having a list of numbers for medical helplines and ensuring that you have all necessary medication if you are going away.

The Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline on 0800 888 6678, and is open from 9am-9pm on weekdays and 9am-5pm on weekends.

The helpline will be closed on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.

Further information is available at www.dementiauk.org