Doing more of what we love plays an important role in staying well, connected and happy as we get older. In this blog, I explore how meaningful activity supports wellbeing, confidence, independence and quality of life in later life - for people with or without dementia - and how Occupational Therapy approaches can help people continue doing the things that matter most.

The STOP and PAUSE approach is a simple framework used widely across dementia care settings to help carers better understand distress and behaviour in dementia. In this blog, I explore how slowing down, staying curious and focusing on unmet need can support more compassionate, person-centred care.

Pacing, restlessness, moving objects and repeated questions are often described as “challenging behaviours” in dementia - but what if they are actually signs of anxiety, uncertainty or someone trying to feel safe? In this blog I explore how understanding behaviour as communication can reduce distress and strengthen connection.

Anxiety in dementia is incredibly common, yet often misunderstood. In this blog I share gentle, person-centred ways families can support a loved one living with dementia and anxiety - focusing on reassurance, emotional safety, connection and understanding rather than correction or problem solving.

Changes in later life don’t mean giving up the things that matter to you. With the right support and small adjustments, many everyday tasks can still be part of your life. Here’s why purpose matters, and how we can help you keep doing what makes you, you.

Discover dementia training that blends lived experience with practical tools. Fran Hamilton delivers the Learning from Living with Dementia one-day course (created by Dementia Trainers and EDUCATE) and a range of bespoke workshops for care teams. Contact Fran to arrange training tailored to your organisation.

Supporting someone through a dementia diagnosis can bring worry and uncertainty. While these feelings are natural, a diagnosis does not mean independence or identity are lost. With a partnership approach that focuses on strengths, confidence, and wellbeing, many people continue to live meaningful lives and keep doing the things that matter most for longer.

As the year draws to a close, I’m reflecting on why I do this work - supporting people living with dementia, families and care teams to rediscover confidence, connection and possibility. From seeing people return to the things they enjoy, to witnessing lightbulb moments for care staff and organisations, this work continues to remind me how much compassionate, person-centred support really matters.

Later life brings changes - in routines, confidence, memory, and sometimes even in where we live. Whether you’re adapting to new challenges or settling after a move or downsize, there are gentle, practical ways to feel more confident and connected. This blog explores how to navigate later-life changes with clarity, calm and support.

This is the fourth in my four-part blog series - Moments That Matter - Connection and Communication in Dementia Care

When a loved one moves into a care home, visits can feel painful or awkward - but with the right mindset, they can become moments of reconnection and joy.

This is the third in my four-part blog series - Moments that Matter - Connection and Communication in Dementia Care

A group trip to a stately home garden became more than a day out—it became a reminder of equality, joy, and shared connection for couples living with dementia.

This is the second in my four-part blog series - Moments That Matter – Connection and Communication in Dementia Care.

In a rose garden filled with memories, a man living with dementia found joy, purpose, and the chance to teach again.

This is the first in my four-part blog series - Moments That Matter – Connection and Communication in Dementia Care

Sometimes the most meaningful conversations happen when words fall away. In this story, a walk through nature helps a man living with Alzheimer’s rediscover his confidence and reconnect with his family.

Living with dementia often brings sensory changes that can make the world feel unfamiliar or confusing. With understanding, small adjustments, and a partnership approach, life can feel calmer and more connected again. Here’s how I can help.

Collaborating with organisations to create bespoke dementia learning sessions is one of the most rewarding parts of my work. From Green Dementia Care webinars and relatives’ sessions in care homes, to volunteer training and Living Well workshops, each session is tailored to the people taking part - practical, person-centred, and inspiring.

Later life often brings change - retirement, new surroundings, or adapting to health challenges. Amidst these transitions, routines can offer stability and meaning. Gentle structure in the day can foster confidence, connection, and calm - helping people focus on what truly matters.
Discover how small, intentional routines can support wellbeing and purpose at any age.

How Public Spaces Can Help or Hinder Someone Living with Dementia

High streets, supermarkets and transport hubs should connect us - but for many people living with dementia, these spaces can feel overwhelming and exclusionary. Noise, cluttered layouts, poor signage, and lack of rest points are everyday barriers. The good news? Thoughtful, dementia-inclusive design makes public spaces easier for everyone to use.

Creating Dementia-Inclusive Care Environments

The environment in which care takes place shapes daily life just as much as staffing or policies. A calm, intuitive setting can reduce stress and support independence; a confusing, clinical one can increase anxiety and distress. From signage and lighting to gardens and personal touches, small design choices can transform the experience of living and working in care settings.

A dementia diagnosis can feel overwhelming for both individuals and families. Small, practical steps — from keeping routines simple to looking after your own wellbeing — can make a big difference. Here are five gentle ways to start building confidence and calm after diagnosis.

A dementia diagnosis can feel like everything has changed. But you are still you — and with the right support, you can keep doing the things that matter most. This is about helping you thrive, not just cope.