Tag Archive for: Alzheimer’s Support

World Alzheimer’s Day: Why Dementia Awareness Matters to Merry Maids

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Today is World Alzheimer’s Day.

World Alzheimer’s Day provides a worldwide chance to raise awareness of dementia, enhance understanding, and acknowledge the experiences of those living with dementia and their loved ones.

For Merry Maids, dementia awareness is directly connected to our work.

Our teams enter customers’ homes every day. Some of those customers are living with dementia, while others may have a partner or family member affected by the condition.

That is why we are proud to raise funds in support of Alzheimer’s Society and why our staff have undertaken Dementia Awareness training.

Why does Merry Maids support Alzheimer’s Society?

Alzheimer’s Society is Merry Maids’ Charity of the Year.

Throughout our network, we are actively raising awareness and funds to support the valuable work of Alzheimer’s Society for those impacted by dementia.

Our goal this year is to raise £20,000, and every contribution brings us a step nearer to reaching it.

If you would like to support our fundraising, you can donate through our Merry Maids UK JustGiving page:

https://www.justgiving.com/team/merrymaidsuk

This cause is particularly relevant to Merry Maids because our work takes place inside people’s homes.

We offer regular cleaning services for individuals living with dementia, which can alleviate one routine responsibility for busy relatives or carers.

Our Forget Me Knot Challenge

Our annual Forget Me Knot Challenge is a key way we demonstrate our support for Alzheimer’s Society.

It unites Merry Maids franchisees, team members, and communities across the UK to stay active, raise awareness about dementia, and fundraise for the organisation.

Participants join by logging steps and miles, sharing their progress, and working toward our fundraising target.

This event has become a vital part of our dedication to the cause, blending fundraising efforts with conversations about dementia and the importance of awareness.

What does Dementia Awareness training mean for Merry Maids?

The Dementia Awareness training our staff received enhanced their knowledge and understanding of dementia.

While our maids are still primarily professional cleaners rather than carers or specialists, the training has increased their awareness of how dementia impacts daily life.

This improved understanding shapes our approach during visits, such as giving clients more time to respond, communicating clearly, respecting routines, and recognising why small changes at home may matter.

Why can familiarity matter for someone living with dementia?

Home is a deeply personal space. Familiar objects, routines, and surroundings often hold special significance, especially for those living with dementia.

During cleaning, we recognise that moving objects or changing their placement might seem trivial to some but can confuse others.

Our Dementia Awareness training educates staff on why keeping belongings in familiar places and avoiding unnecessary alterations is crucial. This example shows how greater understanding can improve how we deliver our cleaning service.

Why does communication matter?

Each person living with dementia is unique. Some may require extra time during conversations, while others might prefer specific routines or a certain order of events.

Increasing dementia awareness enables our teams to handle these situations with patience and understanding.

The goal isn’t to assume someone’s experience because they live with dementia, but to recognise that their experiences may differ and adjust our approach accordingly.

How can professional cleaning help families affected by dementia?

Cleaning is an ongoing task that never fully ends.

Floors need vacuuming, bathrooms need cleaning, kitchens demand attention, and dust keeps returning.

For families caring for someone with dementia, housework can become an additional burden, competing with their other responsibilities.

Merry Maids offers to handle this practical task. Our professional cleaning service ensures the home remains clean and comfortable, giving relatives and caregivers more time for other duties or simply more quality moments with their loved one.

Why does the home matter to Merry Maids?

Cleaning is always a personal matter for us.

We enter customers’ homes, knowing each household has unique needs. For those living with dementia, familiar environments and routines are especially important.

Our Dementia Awareness training equips our staff with extra knowledge and understanding.

This doesn’t alter our core service—professional home cleaning remains the same. However, it enhances our awareness during each visit.

World Alzheimer’s Day is more than one day

World Alzheimer’s Day provides a key opportunity to discuss dementia, but our dedication extends beyond September 21.

Our Dementia Awareness training is integrated into our teams’ ongoing activities. Similarly, our fundraising efforts for the Alzheimer’s Society persist year-round, with a collective goal of £20,000 uniting the entire Merry Maids network.

Through fundraising, awareness, and better understanding of dementia, we aim to make a meaningful impact on the communities we serve.

Help us reach £20,000

We are aiming to raise £20,000 this year in support of Alzheimer’s Society.

If you would like to support Merry Maids’ fundraising, you can donate through our JustGiving team page:

https://www.justgiving.com/team/merrymaidsuk

Every contribution takes us one step closer to our target.

How can Merry Maids help?

If you or somebody you care for is living with dementia and could benefit from help with regular household cleaning, your local Merry Maids can help.

The Dementia Awareness training our staff have undertaken has given our team additional knowledge and understanding of dementia, helping us provide our cleaning service with greater awareness, patience and consideration.

Let us take care of the housework, so you have more time for what matters to you.

Find your nearest Merry Maids business or call 0800 021 3072 to find out how we can help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is World Alzheimer’s Day?

World Alzheimer’s Day takes place on 21 September each year. It forms part of World Alzheimer’s Month and helps raise awareness and understanding of dementia.

Why does Merry Maids support Alzheimer’s Society?

Alzheimer’s Society is Merry Maids’ Charity of the Year. Dementia is particularly relevant to our work because our teams regularly provide cleaning services inside customers’ homes, including homes where somebody may be living with dementia.

How much is Merry Maids hoping to raise?

Merry Maids is aiming to raise £20,000 this year in support of Alzheimer’s Society.

What does Dementia Awareness training mean for customers?

The training has given our staff additional knowledge and understanding of dementia. It helps our teams approach customers with greater awareness, patience and consideration while providing professional home cleaning.

Dementia-Friendly Autumn Tips for a Calm, Familiar Home

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Autumn introduces many changes to our homes. Evenings get darker, temperatures drop, and daily routines shift after summer.

For those living with dementia, these seasonal changes can sometimes be confusing or unsettling.

Small modifications at home can help preserve familiarity and ease the transition into autumn.

At Merry Maids, our staff have completed Dementia Awareness training, enhancing their understanding of dementia. Here are some tips to make autumn more dementia-friendly for families.

Why Can Autumn Affect Someone Living With Dementia?

Autumn alters many environmental cues we depend on daily.

Natural daylight decreases, evenings come sooner, and routines may shift.

When clocks fall back later in autumn, it can disrupt familiar meal times, sleep schedules, and activities.

For individuals with dementia, preserving familiarity and consistency becomes especially important during this period.

Make the Most of Autumn Daylight

Effective lighting improves visibility and helps individuals better understand their environment.

As autumn days become shorter:

  • Open curtains and blinds fully during daylight hours.
  • Keep windows clean so natural light is not unnecessarily reduced.
  • Turn lamps and lights on before rooms become dark.
  • Check hallways, stairs and frequently used rooms for poorly lit areas.

Try to avoid sudden changes between very bright and very dark spaces.

Think About Sundowning as Evenings Get Darker

Some individuals with dementia may encounter heightened confusion, anxiety, or restlessness in the late afternoon or early evening, a phenomenon known as sundowning.

The changing autumn light can accentuate these symptoms. To reduce this, keep indoor lighting consistent as daylight fades to minimise harsh shadows and reflections.

Additionally, closing curtains or blinds before it gets completely dark can help maintain a stable, comfortable environment.

Keep Autumn Clutter Out of Walkways

Autumn frequently brings additional items into the home.

Coats, umbrellas, muddy shoes, and bags tend to accumulate near doors and hallways. For individuals with dementia, unexpected clutter or objects can make it more difficult to navigate familiar spaces.

Try to:

  • Give coats and shoes a regular storage place.
  • Keep hallways and stairs clear.
  • Remove loose rugs or mats that could create a trip risk.
  • Avoid leaving bags or other items in walkways.

Establishing a regular cleaning schedule can prevent clutter and daily dirt from accumulating.

Keep Familiar Things Where They Belong

A seasonal refresh doesn’t have to involve a complete home overhaul.

Familiar items, furniture, and layouts serve as helpful reference points for those living with dementia. When cleaning or preparing the house for autumn, return belongings to their usual spots.

If you decide to make changes, doing so gradually can feel less disruptive than making multiple adjustments at once.

Prepare for the Autumn Clock Change

When clocks go back, the one-hour shift might seem more impactful for individuals with dementia.

Daylight adjustments can interfere with the body’s circadian rhythm, which controls sleep and wake cycles.

Maintaining familiar routines for meals, bedtime, and daily activities can help create stability during the clock change.

Using auto-set clocks can also eliminate the hassle of manually adjusting multiple timepieces around the house.

Keep Cleaning Routines Consistent

Consistency can be just as important as cleanliness.

A major, sudden cleaning session can unexpectedly affect many areas of the home.

Regular cleaning helps keep the space in check, preventing tasks from accumulating into a larger overhaul. A consistent routine can help with this.

  • Keep familiar rooms tidy.
  • Maintain clear floors and walkways.
  • Reduce unnecessary clutter.
  • Keep frequently used spaces comfortable.
  • Reduce the amount of housework families or carers need to manage.

How Merry Maids Can Support a Dementia-Friendly Home

At Merry Maids, we recognise that entering someone’s home is a responsibility.

Our staff have completed Dementia Awareness training, equipping our teams with better knowledge and understanding of dementia. This allows our maids to serve customers living with dementia more thoughtfully, patiently, and with greater consideration.

We recognise the importance of respecting existing routines, returning belongings to their familiar places, and minimising disruptions during cleaning.

Our teams consist of professional cleaners, not carers or dementia specialists, but their awareness enhances our understanding of the residents we serve.

Merry Maids is also honoured to support Alzheimer’s Society as our Charity of the Year. Our fundraising efforts support awareness and provide funds for those impacted by dementia.

A Little Preparation Can Make Autumn Easier

Creating a dementia-friendly home for autumn doesn’t require extensive modifications.

Adequate lighting, familiar routines, well-defined walkways, and a stable home setting can make the seasonal change easier to handle.

If cleaning becomes a source of stress for you or your family, Merry Maids can manage the housework, allowing you to focus on what truly matters.

Find your nearest Merry Maids to schedule a cleaning or call 0800 021 3072 today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best dementia-friendly autumn tips?

Maintain familiar routines, use natural light effectively, keep walkways clear, and avoid unnecessary changes to furniture or belongings.

Can darker evenings affect someone living with dementia?

Changes in natural light can occasionally lead to increased confusion, particularly in the late afternoon and evening. Consistent, appropriate indoor lighting can help make the environment easier to understand.

What is sundowning?

Sundowning refers to the increased confusion, anxiety, or restlessness that some individuals with dementia may experience as the day ends.

Can the autumn clock change affect someone with dementia?

It is possible. Adjustments to daylight and daily patterns may confuse certain individuals with dementia. Keeping consistent daily routines might help make the adjustment smoother.

How can professional cleaning support a dementia-friendly home?

Regular cleaning can help maintain clear walkways, familiar surroundings and a consistent home environment. It can also reduce the amount of housework families and carers need to manage. Especially with Merry Maids, where our staff have completed Dementia Awareness training. This gives our teams additional knowledge and understanding to clean with greater care, patience and consideration.

Why Does Dementia Awareness Training Matter for Home Cleaning?

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September marks World Alzheimer’s Month, a period dedicated to raising awareness, dispelling myths, and enhancing understanding of dementia. Additionally, World Alzheimer’s Day is observed on September 21st.

For Merry Maids, raising dementia awareness is especially vital because our teams enter customers’ homes. We recognise that inviting someone into your home can feel very different when you or a loved one is living with dementia.

Therefore, our staff have completed Dementia Awareness training, equipping them with greater knowledge and understanding of the condition. This training enables our teams to approach customers and their homes with increased awareness, patience, and consideration.

Why Does Dementia Awareness Training Matter for Home Cleaning?

Professional home cleaning is a personal service that involves entering spaces where customers should feel safe and comfortable.

For individuals living with dementia, unfamiliar faces, routine changes, or unexpected activities can sometimes lead to feelings of uncertainty. Increasing dementia awareness enables our teams to better understand why a customer might need extra time, reassurance, or a different approach.

Our Dementia Awareness training encourages our maids to be more mindful of how they communicate, the importance of patience and respect for familiar routines, and the need to avoid unnecessary disruptions.

It also emphasises that each person with dementia is unique. While our teams are professional cleaners, not caregivers or dementia specialists, this knowledge helps us deliver our services more thoughtfully and sensitively.

Why Can Familiarity Matter at Home?

Home is filled with familiar objects, routines, and surroundings.

For someone with dementia, keeping everyday items in expected places can make them easier to find and help maintain a sense of familiarity.

Cleaning should respect how they use their space. At Merry Maids, this means returning items to their original spots or avoiding unnecessary changes during cleaning.

A tidy home doesn’t have to look completely rearranged afterwards; often, consistency is more important.

How Can Regular Cleaning Support Someone Living With Dementia?

Regular cleaning can help maintain a calm, comfortable and easy-to-navigate home.

Keeping on top of housework can help:

  • Keep floors and walkways clear
  • Reduce unnecessary clutter
  • Maintain familiar living spaces
  • Keep frequently used rooms clean and comfortable
  • Reduce the amount of cleaning family members or carers need to manage

Regular visits help establish a more consistent cleaning schedule, rather than waiting for a major cleaning session.

For families caring for someone with dementia, having someone else handle the housework can also provide valuable extra time.

How Can You Prepare a Dementia-Friendly Home for Autumn?

September brings its own changes. Evenings gradually grow darker, routines shift after summer, and coats, shoes and other seasonal items begin to return to the home.

A few simple steps can help keep the environment familiar and comfortable.

Keep Lighting Consistent

As evenings grow darker, notice how lighting is arranged in rooms.

Dark spots, glare, and pronounced shadows can sometimes cause confusion. Ensure commonly used areas are well lit, and maximise natural daylight during the day.

Keep Walkways Clear

Autumn often brings more shoes, coats, umbrellas, and bags to entrances and hallways.

It’s helpful to assign a designated spot for these items instead of letting them accumulate around walkways.

Avoid Unnecessary Changes

As seasons change, you might be tempted to rearrange a room entirely.

However, keeping familiar furniture arrangements and belongings can assist someone living with dementia. When making seasonal adjustments, do so gradually whenever possible.

Maintain Familiar Routines

September often brings changes to family routines.

Maintaining consistent household patterns when possible can offer stability.

This may involve sticking to familiar meal times, routine activities, and predictable visits from regular visitors.

Merry Maids in Support of Alzheimer’s Society

Merry Maids is proud to partner with Alzheimer’s Society as our Charity of the Year.

Our fundraising efforts support raising awareness and funds for those impacted by dementia.

This dedication aligns with our home visits, as dementia awareness training has enhanced our teams’ knowledge and empathy. It influences how we communicate, clean, and serve our customers with mindfulness.

During World Alzheimer’s Month, we aim to keep the conversation active and foster a deeper understanding of the daily realities faced by people living with dementia and their families.

How Can Merry Maids Help?

If you or a loved one with dementia needs assistance managing household chores, Merry Maids offers regular professional cleaning services. Our teams, trained in Dementia Awareness, recognise that each customer and home is unique. We strive to deliver a trustworthy cleaning service with compassion, respect, and sensitivity.

Find your nearest Merry Maids to schedule a cleaning or call 0800 021 3072 today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dementia Awareness training?

Dementia Awareness training helps people develop a deeper understanding of dementia and how it may affect someone’s everyday experiences. At Merry Maids, this helps our teams approach customers living with dementia with greater awareness and consideration.

Why does dementia awareness matter for a professional cleaner?

Cleaning takes place inside a customer’s personal space. Greater dementia awareness can help cleaners understand the importance of communication, familiarity, patience and avoiding unnecessary disruption.

Can regular cleaning support a dementia-friendly home?

Regular cleaning can help keep floors clear, reduce clutter and maintain a comfortable home. It can also take housework off the to-do list for families and carers.

How can I make a home more dementia-friendly as autumn approaches?

Keep walkways clear, maintain familiar routines and furniture layouts, and consider lighting as the evenings become darker.

How Merry Maids Leicester Supports People Living With Dementia at Home

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Merry Maids Leicester is showing how their Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Awareness Training can help people living with dementia remain comfortable in a cleaner, safer and more familiar home environment.

Merry Maids Leicester a local domestic cleaning company recently supported a Leicester customer who held Power of Attorney, began looking for a cleaning company they could trust.

They needed more than a thorough clean. They wanted a patient and considerate team that would understand their friend’s circumstances, respect their home and provide reassurance to everyone involved.

Dementia-Aware Cleaning in Leicester

For someone living with dementia, changes in routine and unfamiliar visitors can sometimes feel unsettling. This makes the way a cleaning service is introduced and delivered especially important.

The Merry Maids Leicester team uses the Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Awareness Training to approach each visit with patience, respect and understanding. The cleaners take care to work calmly, communicate clearly and remain sensitive to the customer’s individual needs.

A professional cleaning service can help maintain a comfortable home without placing the full responsibility for household tasks on relatives, friends or carers.

It can also support people who need:

  • Regular help keeping their home clean and manageable.
  • A one-off deep clean before regular visits begin.
  • Short-term cleaning after a hospital stay or change in circumstances.
  • A dependable service arranged by a relative or someone with Power of Attorney.

Support Delivered With Dignity

After finding Merry Maids Leicester online, the customer felt reassured by the team’s Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Awareness Training.

During the initial clean, the cleaners took time to understand the situation and completed the work with care. Their aim was to improve the home environment while ensuring the customer felt respected and supported throughout the visit.

The customer were pleased with both the cleaning standard and the team’s compassionate approach. They left a five-star Google review:

“Great service, punctual and sympathetic to our situation helping a friend with dementia.”

Following the first visit, they invited Merry Maids Leicester back to provide regular domestic cleaning.

This ongoing arrangement gives the customer greater consistency while offering valuable peace of mind to the people helping manage their care.

Cleaning Support for Families Across Leicestershire

Every person living with dementia has different needs. Merry Maids Leicester therefore takes time to understand the household before recommending a suitable cleaning schedule.

The team provides regular and one-off domestic cleaning across Leicester, Loughborough, Lutterworth, Market Harborough, Melton Mowbray, Hinckley and surrounding Leicestershire communities.

Cleaners bring their own equipment and bespoke products, helping make each visit straightforward for the customer and their family.

Contact Merry Maids Leicester

To discuss dementia-aware domestic cleaning in Leicester or arrange a free, no-obligation quotation, contact the local team.

Call: 0116 275 9055

Email: leicester@merrymaids.co.uk

Visit: merrymaids.co.uk/leicester/

Merry Maids Leicester can work with you, your family or a person holding Power of Attorney to arrange thoughtful cleaning support around the needs of the person and their home.

 

How Seasonal Changes Can Affect People Living With Dementia

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Seasonal changes can be challenging for people living with dementia. Fluctuations in daylight, temperature, and daily routines may affect mood, sleep, and behaviour. These changes can also impact family members and carers, especially when symptoms become more noticeable during certain times of the year.

Understanding how the seasons influence dementia can help you organise your home and routines to feel calmer and more supportive.

Why seasonal change matters in dementia

People living with dementia often rely on routine, familiarity, and environmental cues to feel secure. When daylight hours change or daily patterns shift, these cues can become confusing. As a result, anxiety, restlessness, or disrupted sleep may increase.

Seasonal changes can also affect energy levels and emotional wellbeing, particularly during spring and autumn when clocks change.

Sundowning and changes in daylight

One common symptom linked to seasonal change is sundowning. Sundowning refers to increased confusion, agitation, or restlessness that typically happens in the late afternoon or early evening.

As daylight diminishes earlier or light levels fluctuate, the brain may find it difficult to judge the time of day. Shadows, dimmer rooms, and reduced natural light can make familiar spaces seem strange. This can cause distress, pacing, or behavioural changes as the day comes to an end.

Maintaining consistent lighting and avoiding sudden brightness changes can help lessen the effects of sundowning.

Circadian rhythm and the spring clock change

The circadian rhythm is the body’s natural internal clock. It controls sleep, wakefulness, and daily routines. Dementia can already influence this rhythm, and clock changes in spring can cause further disturbance.

When clocks go forward, even a single hour shift can seem significant. People living with dementia might experience:

  • Difficulty settling at night
  • Waking earlier than usual
  • Increased confusion around time
  • Changes in appetite or energy

Because their sense of time may already feel uncertain, gradually adjusting routines before and after the clock change can help make the transition easier.

Other ways seasonal changes can affect dementia

Seasonal changes can also introduce other challenges:

  • Temperature fluctuations: Warmer or colder weather can impact comfort and lead to confusion around clothing choices.
  • Routine disruption: Spring and summer often attract more visitors or activity, which can feel overwhelming.
  • Environmental changes: Such as brighter light, open windows, or alterations in sound, can influence concentration and calmness.

Maintaining daily routines as consistent as possible helps offer reassurance during these transitions.

How the home environment can help

A calm, familiar home is essential in helping someone living with dementia cope with seasonal changes.

Helpful steps include:

  • Using gentle, consistent lighting in the late afternoon and evening
  • Drawing curtains before dusk to minimise shadows
  • Keeping rooms tidy and free of clutter to prevent visual confusion
  • Maintaining familiar furniture arrangements and routines
  • Supporting regular sleep and mealtimes

A clean, well-organised home also lowers background stress for both the individual and their carers.

Support during seasonal transitions

At Merry Maids UK, we know that small changes can make a big difference. We are proud to support Alzheimer’s Society through our fundraising efforts, and all of our maids are dementia-trained through Alzheimer’s Society.

Support the Alzheimer’s Society by making a donation here – https://www.justgiving.com/team/merrymaidsuk

Being Alzheimer’s and Dementia trained helps our teams work with extra care, understanding, and sensitivity in homes where someone may be living with dementia. A consistent, respectful cleaning routine can help maintain comfort and familiarity during seasonal changes.

If you would like support keeping your home calm and cared for, find your nearest Merry Maids business to book a clean online or call 0800 021 3072 today.

Dementia-Friendly New Year’s Tips

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The new year is a time for celebration, reflection, and new beginnings. However, for people living with dementia, changes in routine, noise, and crowded gatherings can be confusing or distressing. By taking a few thoughtful steps, you can make your New Year’s celebrations calm, safe, and enjoyable for everyone.

At Merry Maids UK, we are certified Dementia Friends, as many of our staff members work with individuals who suffer from the condition and strive to ensure they are cared for properly and confidently while we clean their homes.

Last year, we raised £4,000 for Alzheimer’s Society as part of our Forget Me Knot Challenge and have pledged to raise £10,000 in 2025.

Year-round, we work diligently to ensure the safety and well-being of our customers.

Here are some dementia-friendly New Year’s tips to help you plan a peaceful and positive start to the year.

1. Keep the Evening Calm

Late nights and loud celebrations can feel overwhelming. Try celebrating earlier in the evening instead.

  • A family dinner, gentle music, or a cosy movie night can create a relaxed atmosphere that still feels special.
  • If you decide to stay up, make sure to keep the lighting soft and the noise levels low.
  • Avoid making sudden loud noises, such as party poppers or fireworks.

2. Maintain Familiar Routines

Routine brings comfort and helps reduce confusion.

  • Maintain a regular schedule for meals, bedtime, and daily routines. If plans change, explain them clearly and gently.
  • You could also include familiar traditions, such as watching a favourite film, sharing family photos, or having a favourite meal.

3. Involve Everyone in Simple Activities

Engaging in simple, shared activities can foster a sense of connection among everyone involved.

  • You could try baking together, working on a jigsaw puzzle, or listening to music.
  • Steer clear of games or events that seem hurried or overly competitive.
  • Emphasise calm moments that provide comfort and encourage conversation.

4. Create a Safe and Comfortable Space

A tidy, well-lit home helps reduce anxiety and the risk of falls.

  • Ensure walkways are clear, eliminate trip hazards, and keep decorations unobtrusive.
  • If the house is noisy, create a calm space for relaxation.
  • Familiar items such as photos, cushions, or blankets can help create a sense of comfort and belonging.

5. Keep the Environment Gentle

Loud music, flashing lights, or large groups can be unsettling.

  • Select soft lighting and minimise background noise.
  • Natural scents, gentle lighting, and a comfortable temperature create a calm environment that feels welcoming and secure.

6. Start the New Year Fresh

After the celebrations, take some time to tidy up. A clean and organised home feels more peaceful for everyone, especially those living with dementia.
If you need extra help, Merry Maids home cleaning services can assist. To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, find your nearest Merry Maids business to book a clean online or call 0800 021 3072 today.

Dementia-Friendly Christmas Tips

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Christmas is a time for family, comfort, and togetherness. However, for individuals living with dementia, the busy atmosphere, bright lights, and loud noises can sometimes be overwhelming.

By making a few minor adjustments, you can help create a calm, familiar, and enjoyable festive season for everyone.

At Merry Maids UK, we are certified Dementia Friends, as many of our staff members work with individuals who suffer from the condition and strive to ensure they are cared for properly and confidently while we clean their homes.

Last year, we raised £4,000 for Alzheimer’s Society as part of our Forget Me Knot Challenge and have pledged to raise £10,000 in 2025.

Year-round, we work diligently to ensure the safety and well-being of our customers.

Here are some straightforward dementia-friendly Christmas tips to enjoy your celebrations:

1. Keep Decorations Simple

Bright lights and flashing decorations can be confusing or distressing for some individuals living with dementia.

  • Instead, opt for gentle, warm lighting rather than flashing fairy lights.
  • Use familiar and safe decorations, and avoid cluttering rooms or walkways to ensure a safe environment.

Maintain the layout of your home, as changing the position of furniture can make navigation more difficult for someone living with dementia.

2. Create Calm Spaces

Christmas gatherings can get noisy, especially with the addition of visitors and music.

  • Designate a quiet space where your loved one can rest if they feel tired or overwhelmed.
  • A familiar chair, soft lighting, and calming background sounds create a comfortable and secure atmosphere.

3. Keep Routines as Normal as Possible

Establishing a routine provides stability.

  • Try to keep consistent mealtimes, bedtime, and daily habits throughout the holidays.
  • Abrupt changes can be confusing, so schedule visits or outings at times that align with your loved one’s regular rhythm.

4. Choose Activities Everyone Can Enjoy

Engaging in simple, shared activities can help create an inclusive atmosphere during the Christmas season.

  • Listening to music quietly, looking through old photos, or decorating cookies together can help spark happy memories and conversations.
  • Steer clear of anything overly complicated or hurried. Slower moments often hold the deepest significance.

5. Be Mindful of Noise and Lighting

Loud music, television, and bright flashing lights can lead to sensory overload.

  • Maintain low background noise and use soft, consistent lighting. This creates a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.

6. Prepare Guests

If friends or relatives are visiting, inform them in advance about any changes or assistance your loved one may need. A little understanding can significantly enhance everyone’s experience together.

7. Keep the Home Safe and Clean

A tidy home reduces trip hazards and makes moving around easier. Clear walkways, keep floors dry, and ensure decorations don’t block doors or lights.

We hope you have an enjoyable and safe dementia-friendly Christmas for all those celebrating with individuals living with dementia. To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, find your nearest Merry Maids business to book a clean online or call 0800 021 3072 today.

Merry Maids AAA Steps Up for the Forget Me Knot Challenge

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Making steps to raise awareness for the Forget Me Knot Challenge at Merry Maids Inverness.

The AAA team from Merry Maids Inverness have made a grand start to their tenure under the new ownership of Siva and Aryanna Kugathas, taking part in a team walk as part of this year’s Forget Me Knot Challenge to raise awareness and funds for those living with dementia in the UK.

The Forget Me Knot Challenge

Alzheimer’s Society is symbolised by the forget-me-not flower, which has long been associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia due to its connection to memory loss. The Forget Me Knot Challenge is a sponsored virtual relay where staff and owners from various UK businesses run, walk, or cycle the total mileage between each location, linking them together and raising funds for Alzheimer’s Society: creating the Forget Me Knot. Walking to raise awareness and honour those affected, the team showed that even small steps can make a meaningful difference.

Members of staff had a fantastic time walking together at Epsom Downs Racecourse, enjoying the views, fresh air, and great company while racking up around 12,000+ steps each in two hours. Even those who couldn’t be there in person joined in by walking in their own local towns, making it a fun, inclusive, and heartwarming team effort that brought everyone together in spirit.

The walk was a lovely chance for everyone to catch up outside of work and enjoy the fresh air. With plenty of laughter, the team came away feeling closer and proud of raising the miles on the Forget Me Knot Challenge.

Support the Challenge

If you’d like to help support our teams, please visit our Just Giving page to donate, or, if you’re one of our customers, please feel free to speak to our staff about donating.

Thank you for all your support!

Need a dementia-conscious cleaner?

If you know someone who is living with dementia, see how we can help to give them a better quality of life for as long as possible by finding your nearest Merry Maids business for a free, no-obligation quote on our services or booking online today.

Merry Maids Businesses Awarded for Investing in Their Communities

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Two Merry Maids businesses celebrated winning awards for investing in their communities at the ServiceMaster Thrive in 2025 Gala.

Merry Maids in Inverness and Bedford were recognised for their dedication to supporting their customers and their staff, winning coveted Merry Maids Invest awards at the ServiceMaster Thrive in 2025 conference and gala evening.

This blog post has all the details.

A Great Place to Work

Merry Maids of Inverness, represented at the awards by Office Manager Andrea Morland, were awarded for their successes in making the business a great place for its staff to thrive.

Collecting the award, Andrea, who oversees the day-to-day running of the business, has united the team under her leadership since taking the reins as Office Manager last year, said:

“ I think it’s just really important that the staff like coming to work. Cleaning isn’t the easiest job, but I’ve tried to make work a very friendly place.”

To do this, Andrea has increased both the communication within the business and created more opportunities for teambuilding and fun at work, alongside, naturally, delivering an exceptional service. This includes creating a morning meeting where the office team communicate with the cleaning staff and discusses the jobs of the day and regular activities like a quiz and playing games to round off the week on a Friday. All of this has made Merry Maids Inverness a great place to work and a place where excellence can prosper.

“I think we have a very dedicated team in the office, and it’s thriving,” Andrea adds.

A Great Place to Invest

The owner of Merry Maids Bedford, Mercy Ikeji, has made headlines this year for the business’ unique dedication to dementia support, where beyond our expert and compassionate cleaning for those living with dementia, she and her team have offered free cleanings to those living with dementia who cannot clean for themselves and are finding their quality of life impacted by the disease.

Collecting the award, she said:

 ”The training for Merry Maids, and Alzheimer’s for all our cleaners has really helped our cleaners to understand how to clean for those with dementia in a caring way. Most of the people clean for can see that our cleaners are caring cleaners and that has really made an impact, especially with the charity cleaning, where we support people in the community with those kinds of needs with a free cleaning and give back.”

“I want to thank Merry Maids, and our brand manager, Vikki, for the initiative and partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society, and my team for actually coming out to do the free clean to support the people we serve.”

Win a Free Cleaning!

As a celebration of Merry Maids Bedford’s first anniversary and our work alongside Alzheimer’s Society we would like you to nominate someone who is living with or caring for someone with Alzheimer’s/dementia who you believe deserves a FREE 5hr clean.

T&C’s – All Nominee’s must be over the age of 18 and live within the Bedfordshire area. The prize is non-transferable and non-negotiable. Entries close on 31st Oct.

Need a cleaner who cares?

If you or someone you love could benefit from dementia-conscious and expert cleaning services from your local professionals, find your nearest Merry Maids business, book online or learn more about our commitment to supporting Alzheimer’s Society today.

Merry Maids Sheffield Recognised for Charitable Contributions in Merry Maids Awards

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Merry Maids Sheffield has been recognised as Merry Maids’ Forget Me Knot Charity Champions for 2024.

Mike Fargher and his team at Merry Maids Sheffield have been awarded the title of Charity Champion for their exceptional contributions to our fundraising efforts for our charity of the year, Alzheimer’s Society.

This blog post has all of the details.

Merry Maids Forget Me Knot Challenge

The Forget Me Knot Challenge is an annual initiative started by Merry Maids in 2023 to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society.

Our staff nationwide regularly clean for members of the public living with dementia and have been long-time supporters of Dementia Friends, which helps people become more aware of ways to support those living with dementia.

As we noticed we were encountering an increasing number of people living with dementia, whether themselves or caring for a loved one, we devised The Forget Me Knot Challenge to provide more ways to help by supporting Alzheimer’s Society and its mission.

The sponsored virtual relay tracks the distance covered by our business owners and staff as they walk, run, cycle or swim to travel the equivalent distance between each Merry Maids business nationwide.

Since then, we’ve raised a significant amount of money for Alzheimer’s Society, including £10,000 in the last year, all of which goes toward helping them provide help and hope to the over 800,000 people living with dementia in the UK.

Not to mention, over the last year, every Merry Maids cleaner across the UK has also attended exclusive dementia information sessions run by Alzheimer’s Society to recognise and bolster their knowledge of dementia, helping position them to provide informed care to the people we serve.

Charity Champion

Alongside our Forget Me Knot Challenge Champion, Mike and the team at Merry Maids Sheffield were awarded the Charity Champion award for going above and beyond in their fundraising efforts across both consecutive years in which the Forget Me Knot Challenge has run, through impressive donations, accrued through sponsored bike rides and the charity of their staff and customers.

The team collected their award at the annual ServiceMaster Thrive in 2025 gala and has taken it back to the office to sit in pride of place in their trophy cabinet as a reminder and motivator for this year’s challenge, which is already underway.

Need a cleaner who cares?

If you or someone you love could benefit from dementia-conscious and expert cleaning services from your local professionals, find your nearest Merry Maids business, book online or learn more about our commitment to supporting Alzheimer’s Society today.

How to speak to children about dementia

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How can you have discussions about dementia with young children?

As the school summer holidays begin, many families are spending more time together, which can bring both joy and challenges. When a close family member or friend develops dementia, children and young people may need time to adjust to the news and understand.

Alongside our charity of the year, Alzheimer’s Society, we’re working hard to support people living with dementia across the UK through specialist cleaning services informed by the latest research and a compassionate, expert approach to our work.

There’s no one ‘right thing’ to say to a child to explain dementia and all that comes with it; different children and young people will be reassured and helped by distinctive things.

In this blog post, we’re sharing the top tips advocated by Alzheimer’s Society that may help you speak to a child about dementia.

Explain the changes in behaviour

Perhaps there’s something new that the person with dementia has begun to do. This could include becoming confused about who people are or where they are.

They might feel anxious or frustrated when this happens. That could also affect their behaviour. For example, they might ask repeated questions or become agitated. These changes can be particularly confusing and upsetting for children and young people, so it’s important to talk to children about how dementia is causing these changes in behaviour.

Children might think they’ve done something wrong to cause the changes. Make sure they know they’re not at fault and encourage them to share their thoughts, feelings and questions with you. They might feel embarrassed about some of the things she does. Or they might feel bored or annoyed by repeated questions. Reassure them that it’s OK to feel sad, confused or frustrated.

E.g. ‘Grandma’s illness is making it harder for her to do some things. She might seem different or confused.’

Reassure them about changing relationships

The person with dementia may not be able to do the same things they used to.

Children could feel a mix of loss, anxiety and other emotions as they adjust to this. They might also worry about future changes.

Reassure them that the loved one still loves them and focus on what they can do with them. Emphasise the importance of spending time with the person so they can show them they care. By doing things with the person and talking with them, children are helping to support them.

Answer their questions honestly, using language they’ll understand. Don’t be afraid to use humour if it feels appropriate. Laughing together can help sometimes.

E.g. ‘Even if Grandad doesn’t always remember us, or if he says unkind things sometimes, he still loves us very much.’

Helping to manage emotions

While different children may respond differently to different reassurances, here are a few helpful statements to help explain how they or the person with dementia may be feeling:

  • Be honest but gentle: ‘It’s normal to feel sad or upset about the changes in Grandma.’
  • Provide support: ‘It’s OK to feel sad, angry or confused. I’m here to help you through it.’
  • Encourage questions: ‘If you have any questions or feel worried, you can always talk to me.’
  • Highlight the positive: ‘We can still enjoy today and make happy memories with Grandma.’

For particularly young children, using stories may also help them to understand the feelings and information surrounding dementia.

There are several books recognised by Alzheimer’s Society that aim to increase understanding of dementia in younger children.

Need a dementia-conscious cleaner?

If you know someone who is living with dementia, see how we can help to give them a better quality of life for as long as possible by finding your nearest Merry Maids business for a free, no-obligation quote on our services or booking online today.

Merry Maids Fylde, Blackpool and Preston Recognised as Forget Me Knot Champion for 2024

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Nicky Morris and her team have been recognised as Merry Maids’ Forget Me Knot Challenge Champions for 2024.

Merry Maids Fylde, Blackpool and Preston have been awarded the title of Forget Me Knot Challenge Champion for 2024, for their exceptional contributions to our fundraising efforts over the last year for our charity of the year, Alzheimer’s Society.

This blog post has all of the details.

Merry Maids Forget Me Knot Challenge

The Forget Me Knot Challenge is an annual initiative started by Merry Maids in 2023 to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society.

Our staff nationwide regularly clean for members of the public living with dementia and have been long-time supporters of Dementia Friends, which helps people become more aware of ways to support those living with dementia.

As we noticed we were encountering an increasing number of people living with dementia, whether themselves or caring for a loved one, we devised The Forget Me Knot Challenge to provide more ways to help by supporting Alzheimer’s Society and its mission.

The sponsored virtual relay tracks the distance covered by our business owners and staff as they walk, run, cycle or swim to travel the equivalent distance between each Merry Maids business nationwide.

Since then, we’ve raised a significant amount of money for Alzheimer’s Society, including £10,000 in the last year, all of which goes toward helping them provide help and hope to the over 800,000 people living with dementia in the UK.

Not to mention, over the last year, every Merry Maids cleaner across the UK has also attended exclusive dementia information sessions run by Alzheimer’s Society to recognise and bolster their knowledge of dementia, helping position them to provide informed care to the people we serve.

Forget Me Knot Challenge Champion

Each year, we recognise a Forget Me Knot Challenge Champion, who has gone above and beyond in their fundraising efforts. As the second-ever Forget Me Knot Challenge Champion, succeeding Mike Fargher from Merry Maids Sheffield, Nicky and the team at Merry Maids Fylde, Blackpool and Preston were celebrated for their impressive donations, group activities, and vocal advocacy of the initiative across their social media platforms.

The team collected their award at the annual ServiceMaster Thrive in 2025 gala and has taken it back to the office to sit in pride of place in their trophy cabinet as a reminder and motivator for this year’s challenge, which is already underway.

Need a cleaner who cares?

If you or someone you love could benefit from dementia-conscious and expert cleaning services from your local professionals, find your nearest Merry Maids business, book online or learn more about our commitment to supporting Alzheimer’s Society today.

Meet the new owners of Merry Maids Inverness

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Say hello to the father-daughter duo taking the reins at Merry Maids Inverness.

Siva and Ayranna Kugathas are no strangers to the technicalities of operating a successful cleaning business.

Siva is the owner of ServiceMaster Clean AAA, one of the largest ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services franchise operations in the UK, which covers 19 territories spanning from Inverness to Dover. Having grown from just a single territory in Guildford, which he purchased in 2017, Siva is turning his hand to home cleaning by heading up an existing Merry Maids business in Inverness.

He is joined on his new venture by his daughter Ayranna, who has been working in AAA, specialising in HR, and is now taking charge of Merry Maids.

In this blog post, we sat down with them to delve into their plans for the business and the value they will deliver to new and existing customers and staff.

Meet Siva and Ayranna

As an astute businessman with 20 years of experience in franchising for brands like KFC and Pizza Hut before buying his ServiceMaster Clean franchise, Siva knew the success that could be achieved through investing in a successful franchise.

Initially doubling the size of his operation in just 18 months, he has also acquired 18 further territories in seven years. As a top-performing franchisee,  he is committed to exceeding client expectations and driving the business.

Ayranna recently completed a degree in Information Technology for Business, all while working as a Human Resources Manager at ServiceMaster Clean AAA, where she’s not only overseen HR responsibilities like recruitment, training, and employee relations, but also supported many other areas of the business.

“Because it’s a multi-territory franchise, I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in day-to-day operations, client management, and strategic planning. That experience gave me a strong understanding of how a service-based business runs, from both a people and performance perspective,” she says.

“This has been a huge advantage in preparing me for business ownership. As the HR Manager, I’ve developed strong people management skills, dealt with a variety of staffing challenges, and ensured compliance with employment law and best practice—all of which are crucial for running a successful team.”

Beyond HR, Ayranna has also been involved in many other aspects of the business, such as supporting operational decisions, helping with client relationships, and contributing to strategy discussions. This hands-on experience has given her a real understanding of what it takes to run and grow a business. Ayranna, having already had experience at a ServiceMaster Clean franchise, also understands the systems, values, and support structure that come with being part of the ServiceMaster brand.

“While Merry Maids is a different type of service, the core principles of delivering high-quality, reliable cleaning and managing a team are very similar,” she says.

“From contract cleaning, I’ve learned how to manage teams, handle feedback, and assist in delivering high standards—all of which can be applied to home cleaning. And stepping into a bigger role in the business is both exciting and meaningful,” she adds.

“It’s an opportunity to build something alongside my dad, who has years of experience and a strong track record in the industry. I’m grateful to be learning directly from him while also bringing in my own perspective.”

For Siva, working alongside Ayranna is also a huge achievement:

“In my view, parents enjoy their children’s success more than their own success. So, to have my daughter leading a brand for us is a proud moment for me. And she’s the right person to do that.”

Integrating in Inverness

Customers of Merry Maids Inverness will know of the business’s long history and established presence within the local area. While under new ownership, the business retains the same staff and office managers of Andrea and Kelly, who ensure the business’s smooth day-to-day operations.

Having spent time in Inverness, getting to know the business’s staff and existing structure, Siva and Ayranna have integrated themselves into the business and, galvanising the team behind them, are excited to drive it to new heights.

“It’s been a smooth and insightful process, Ayranna says.

“I’ve been learning how things operate while thinking of ideas to improve and grow the business. I’m excited to get started, learn new things, and play an active role in helping the business grow. It’s a great opportunity to take on new challenges and apply what I’ve learned so far.”

Siva, in turn, is excited to bring the same energy and growth that he has instilled across his other businesses.

“ I’m really excited because it’s a new journey for me as well. I’m in my fifties, and I have done a few of these in the past. But this is something new.  I’m really excited to go and do the same again and be successful.”

Working in the Community

For Siva, this includes working closely within the local community to support local initiatives and people to thrive.

In the past seven years at ServiceMaster Clean, Siva has worked hard to make a difference and give back to the communities he serves, whether through multiple fundraising initiatives, providing cleaning and sponsorship for the local YMCA in Guildford to allow them to provide stable dwellings for homeless people in the area, or working with a local charity to help vulnerable children learn about the dangers of drugs and knife crime.

The business already has big plans to contribute to Merry Maids and ServiceMaster Clean’s charity of the year, Alzheimer’s Society, by participating in this year’s Forget Me Knot Challenge, which has, over the last two years, raised over £14,000 for Alzheimer’s Society.

“Giving back to the community is something very close to my heart. I do it passionately. And we want to start with a bang as the Forget Me Knot challenge is starting on the 7th of July, which is seven days after we take over, and we want to do 10,000 miles by ourselves, including me leading the way with 500 miles minimum myself. And I know two other members of our staff have already signed up to beat me. We have committed to big numbers, and we are passionate about it, and we will continue to show our commitment to looking after the people in need across Merry Maids, too.”

Customer Guarantee

Siva and Ayranna want to assure Merry Maids Inverness customers, new and old, of the high-quality cleaning they can expect from the business and the expertly trained staff.

“ Merry Maids is a trusted brand, has been there for long enough, and we do a very good job. We don’t let people down,” says Siva

“The cleaners are well trained, and you know what to expect each time: good quality and consistency,” Ayranna agrees.

Furthermore, not only will this expansion within the area support the local economy, but it will also provide jobs for local people through the recruitment of new staff as the business grows.

Merry Maids Brand Leader Vikki Donnachie says she is ecstatic to welcome Siva and Ayranna to the brand:

“I am very much looking forward to welcoming Siva and Ayranna to the Merry Maids network and building on their existing success within ServiceMaster, which I am certain they will do through their commitment to their community, staff and service standards.”

Need a new cleaner?

So, if you’re in Inverness and the surrounding areas and would benefit from an expert cleaning from local professionals, call the team on 01463 250229 to learn more.

Or nationwide, find your nearest Merry Maids business or book online today.

Understanding the Risk Factors for Dementia

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What are the main risk factors for dementia?

Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer. Affecting around 982,000 people in the UK, with numbers expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040, 1 in 3 of us born today will be diagnosed in their lifetime.

But what are the biggest risk factors for dementia, and what are some misconceptions around the disease?

  1. Age

The biggest risk factor for dementia is ageing.

While it’s important to note that dementia is a disease, and not, as many believe, a natural symptom of ageing, your risk of being diagnosed with dementia increases as you get older.

For people aged between 65 and 69, around 2 in every 100 people have dementia. A person’s risk increases as they age, roughly doubling every five years. This means that, of those aged over 90, around 33 in every 100 people have dementia.

  1. Genes

Certain genes can affect a person’s chances of getting dementia. These may be passed down (inherited) from a parent. There are two types of these genes: ‘familial’ genes and ‘risk’ genes.

  1. Long-Term Health Conditions

Diagnosing certain long-term health conditions earlier may reduce their damaging effects on brain health as people get older.

These include:

  • Diabetes
  • Hearing and vision loss
  • Head injuries
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Depression

  1. Lifestyle

There is a lot of evidence that our lifestyle choices can affect our risk of developing dementia. These behaviours and health conditions include:

  • Physical activity
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol
  • Social isolation

Dementia risk is lowest in people who have healthy behaviours in mid-life (aged 40-65).

  1. Biological Sex

Overall, there are more women than men living with dementia. This is mostly because women tend to live longer than men.

The risk of getting dementia is about the same for men and women. However, women who are currently over 80 have a slightly higher risk of getting dementia than men their age.

  1. Lower Cognitive Reserve

Cognitive reserve is when a person has a disease in their brain, but it takes longer for them to start showing symptoms. It is built up by keeping the brain active over a person’s lifetime.

The more cognitive reserve a person has, the longer it takes for diseases in their brain to cause problems with everyday tasks. This means people with a larger cognitive reserve can delay getting dementia symptoms. People with a smaller cognitive reserve are at a higher risk of getting dementia in their lifetime.

  1. Race and Ethnicity

It’s possible that race and ethnicity could also be risk factors for dementia.

It’s still not clear if people from different ethnic groups in the UK have a higher chance of getting dementia.

Some studies have found differences in certain locations worldwide, though it’s hard to know if they reflect the situation in the UK population.

A few studies have suggested that people from Black African, Black Caribbean and South Asian ethnic groups are more likely to get dementia than people from White ethnic groups due to socioeconomic disparities, access to healthcare, and genetic predispositions like high blood pressure.

  1. Socioeconomic Factors

People who live in deprived areas without suitable housing, education and work opportunities are at a higher risk of getting dementia.

This may be because the lack of opportunities in these areas makes it harder for a person to get further education and to access jobs that keep a person mentally active throughout their life.

Want to act against dementia?

At Merry Maids, the Alzheimer’s Society is our charity of the year, and after working to support their mission for multiple years, we are committed to assisting our staff and customers to have a better cleaning experience.

The Dementia Awareness training our staff have undertaken has given our team additional knowledge and understanding of dementia. We are thrilled to be continuing this initiative to continuing to have staff trained by Alzheimer’s Society.

If you want to make a difference in the fight against dementia, you can do so directly now by donating to our annual fundraiser to raise £10,000 for Alzheimer’s Society.

If you or someone you know would benefit from a professional and compassionate, regular or one-off, home cleaning service from the dementia friends at Merry Maids UK, find your nearest Merry Maids business or book online today.

4 Ways to Support Someone with Dementia When the Clocks Change

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How you can help someone with dementia feel at ease when the clocks change.

REJOICE, British Summer Time starts this Sunday!

While losing an hour’s sleep is nobody’s favourite thing, most of us are likely looking forward to the extra daylight and the start of spring.

Changing the clocks can be confusing, and most people have probably fallen victim to some daylight-saving-related scheduling confusion at one time or another.

But, it can be especially disorientating for people living with dementia, who may struggle with awareness of time.

At Merry Maids UK, we’ve spent the last year working closely with our charity of the year, Alzheimer’s Society to attend dementia training workshops so that all of our cleaners nationwide are equipped and specially trained to support our customers across the UK living with dementia.

In this blog post, we’re sharing their expertise on ways to support someone with dementia when the clocks change.

How the clocks changing can affect people with dementia

As our days get longer and brighter, people with dementia may find it harder to differentiate between 6 PM and 6 PM.

This disrupts their circadian rhythm and makes it hard for them, and those who care for them to ensure they get enough sleep.

Losing sleep can lead to irritability, tiredness, and sometimes even distress, which can be exacerbated if their routines are impacted.

They may forget when to eat, or take their medication or not know when their favourite TV show is on.

But the good news is, there are simple things you can do to help people living with dementia through these changes, to ensure minimal disruption and distress.

  1. Start their evening routine an hour earlier

Consider starting your evening earlier on Saturday, including having dinner and going to bed an hour earlier.

This will ensure that the person you’re caring for still gets enough sleep and can wake up at their usual time on Sunday and that their routine will only be different for an evening rather than the whole day.

  1. Keep to a routine

Keeping to a regular routine during the day and at bedtime can help to regulate a disrupted body clock.

It helps if these are associated with other everyday tasks such as going for a walk after breakfast.

Doing this consistently will help a person with dementia to make sense of the time.

  1. Keep Active

Gentle exercise during the day can help the person feel sleepier during the evening, meaning they’ll go to bed at their usual time.

If this isn’t an option, keeping them active during the day can have a similar effect and using blackout curtains to reduce sunlight in the evenings can help with body clock regulation, too.

  1. Look into auto-setting clocks

You may want to invest in an auto-setting clock for them.

Deciphering a clock face can be tricky for some people with dementia, so often digital clocks are easier.

You can also get clocks that show the day of the week, date and time, and for some people, a day/night clock can help them distinguish what time of day it is.

See the value of a cleaner who cares

If you or someone you know would benefit from a professional and compassionate, regular or one-off, home cleaning service from the dementia friends at Merry Maids UK, find your nearest Merry Maids business or book online today.

Case Study: Dementia-Trained Cleaners in Wakefield, Leeds, York and Harrogate

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How Merry Maids in Wakefield, Leeds, York and Harrogate have supported their customers living with dementia.

As part of Merry Maids UK’s ongoing partnership with Alzheimer’s Society, our staff across the UK have completed licensed training to provide help and hope to our customers living with dementia, which makes us the only officially dementia-trained domestic cleaners in the nation!

We’re not just experts in home cleaning.

We’re also a nationwide network of compassionate, friendly, and warm local professionals who always go above and beyond to help the people who trust us daily to clean their homes.

But what does this look like in action?

This blog post shares the story of customers of Merry Maids in Wakefield, Leeds, York and Harrogate and how our dementia-friendly cleaning has helped them.

Meet Mr and Mrs R

Merry Maids has been cleaning for Mrs R’s family for the last ten years.

Four years ago, she was diagnosed with dementia, aged only 58 years old, and the team have been cleaning for her and Mr R ever since to support her in keeping her house a home.

How we help

Initially, we visited every month to stay on top of the cleaning and keep everything tidy.

Today, Mr and Mrs R have increased the frequency of their service to a weekly cleaning from our expert team, ensuring the whole home always looks its best week in and week out.

During this time, due to changes in how her dementia impacts her, the team have adapted their services, like entering through a gate rather than the front door, as Mrs R’s condition means she was at risk of wandering from home unannounced.

Still, Mrs R is elated whenever our staff (or her ladies, as she has dubbed them) call in for her cleanings, greeting them at the door and walking around the house with them, as she likes to see the process of our cleaning in action.

Despite her health, she also likes to dust under our supervision, and Mr R has asked if she can do this whenever Merry Maids is there – which, of course, she can.

Our staff have gotten into a steady rhythm whereby one cleaner stays with Mrs R while she dusts and ensures she has some extra companionship and supervision, while the other maid gets on with the rest of the cleaning.

In an email to our staff, Mrs R shared her satisfaction and delight at seeing our cleaners and the impact our help has:

‘[I] can’t wait to see my ladies, they always bring cheer to us both,’ she says.

‘Oh, and the house is always sparkling when they leave!’

Need a new cleaner?

If you’re in Wakefield, South Leeds, York and Harrogate and need support from a dementia-friendly cleaner backed by over 30 years of brand expertise as a leader in the cleaning industry, call your local experts on 01924 871122.

Or, nationwide, find your nearest Merry Maids business or book online to see how we can help you today.

Forget Me Knot Challenge Champion: Mike Fargher from Merry Maids Sheffield

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Why Mike Fargher from Merry Maids of Sheffield joined the Forget Me Knot Challenge and helped us raise over £4,000 for Dementia charities.

The Forget Me Knot Challenge is an annual, sponsored virtual relay in which staff and owners from Merry Maids businesses across the UK run, walk, or cycle the equivalent total mileage between each Merry Maids UK business to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society.

Last year, the challenge was a huge success, raising over £4,000 that will support Alzheimer’s Society to continue to aid those living with dementia in the UK (currently estimated to be over 900,000 people.)

Mike Fargher of Merry Maids in Sheffield and South Yorkshire racked up 1186 miles and raised over his £2,000 pledge target.

Goals and Dementia History

Mike’s Merry Maids business has had many encounters with dementia over the years.

“We have some long-term clients that did not have dementia when we started to clean for them but sadly now have it,” he says.

“We also take on new clients where they, and their families, wish to remain in their own homes and, with the support of ourselves and other outside agencies, can do so.”

“Sometimes a client wants to chat over a cup of tea, to tell you about their life, family and other interests. The Maids may have heard the same stories several times but will listen as if it was the first time they heard it.”

Mike got back into cycling during lockdown after purchasing an electric bike.

So, he knew, when faced with the Forget Me Knot Challenge, that this would be his way to meet it.

“I try to cycle 25-30 km at least twice during weekdays and have also recently purchased a road bike for use at the weekends,” he says.

He also knew the challenge would be perfect to incorporate into the cycling holiday he had been dreaming of.

Mike’s Mileage

The trip was a week’s cycling around seven islands off the coast near Split. From Brac to Stari, Grad, Orebic, Korcula, Mljet, Hvar, and Solta.

“The trip was fantastic,” he says.

Mike was part of a group of 15 cyclists from around the globe who completed a week of cycling under the guidance of a Croatian guide and a crew of five on a boat named the MV Leonardo.

Some (Literal) Highs

The days followed a routine to ensure mileage was met.

Mike says the seven days were filled with expansive views, “good food, weather and plenty of excellent cycling routes.”

After breakfast each day, the bikes would be unloaded off the boat at one end of an island, and the group would set off to complete between 20km and 55 km.

This included literal highs with “many challenging hill-climbs, with ascends as high as 800 meters.”

By lunchtime, the group would have completed the day’s route and would be met by their boat & crew at the other end of the island.

Then, bikes were loaded back onboard for lunch whilst the boat made its way to a port where the afternoons and evenings were spent exploring and relaxing after a hard day’s work.

This meant that in one week, the group completed around 280 km.

Final results

As part of Mike’s pledge, he also completed a further 720 km cycling over the summer (at £1 per kilometre).

Much of his donations were also made by family, friends and people he met on his cycling journeys.

A further £1,000 was raised from a Google review campaign, in which each new review added £25 to the funds.

A huge well done to Mike for all of his efforts and for making such a massive impact in fundraising to support those in need.

Learn more

To learn more about Merry Maids UK and our work with the Alzheimer’s Society, call 0800 021 3072.

If you’re in Sheffield and the South Yorkshire areas, call Mike and his team today on 0114 272 2655.

If you or someone you know would benefit from a professional and compassionate, regular or one-off, home cleaning service from the dementia friends at Merry Maids UK, find your nearest Merry Maids business or visit our online shop today.

Merry Maids Forget Me Knot 2024: Angela’s story

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Angela shares her family history of dementia.

At Merry Maids UK, our teams nationwide are undertaking our second annual Forget Me Knot Challenge as part of our partnership with Alzheimer’s Society.

This is a sponsored virtual relay in which staff and owners from Merry Maids businesses across the UK run, walk, or cycle the equivalent total mileage between each Merry Maids UK business, tying them together and raising funds for Dementia Friends/ Alzheimer’s Society: creating the Forget Me Knot.

Last year, as part of the challenge, we shared the story of Angela from Merry Maids Fylde, Blackpool and Preston, who had a long history with the disease, which has impacted both her parents and mother-in-law.

Angela has since left Merry Maids but has permitted us to keep sharing her story to raise awareness of the reality of living with dementia.

Angela’s Story

In a touching video on our YouTube channel, Angela opened up about her experience.

“I’m doing the Forget Me Knot challenge because I’ve been through dementia experiences three times so far, and I’m just about to go through my fourth with my dad,” she says.

The conditions that Angela and her family have faced have varied.

From Alzheimer’s to frontal temporal and vascular dementia, the experiences and maladies were “completely different” each time.

“It’s devastating,” she says. “The person you once knew changes into somebody else.”

“They don’t die… straight away. It’s a long process. But they change. They’re unrecognisable as the person you once knew.”

Why Supporting Alzheimer’s Society Matters

Angela describes the experience and how frightening it is, particularly in the early stages, where the family had little information about what was happening to their loved ones.

“You need to talk to people,” she says. “You need people to help you, so you haven’t got to be afraid to ask for help.”

Alzheimer’s Society and Dementia Friends do just this.

They are there to support and inform members of the public about Alzheimer’s and its varying forms so that we can all be prepared should we encounter the disease.

Dementia Advisers from Alzheimer’s Society provide critical support to people throughout their experiences with dementia, allowing people living with the condition and their carers to access expert support.

Our support means they can invest in ground-breaking research into better ways of treating and caring for people with dementia.

Dementia Friends, as a subset of Alzheimer’s Society, trains people and businesses like ours to interact with people with dementia.

At Merry Maids UK, we often serve members of the public living with dementia and ensure that through Dementia Friends, our staff are trained to provide care and support while cleaning their homes – as they often cannot do it for themselves.

Whether making them a cup of tea or being a friendly and recognisable face, there are many ways to be there for those who need it.

As Angela says:

“You have to be kind to one another. You have to talk. Don’t bottle things up, and listen.

“Listen to the person who is ill because they are just as confused as you are.”

“It’s really important that we help them to feel as normal as possible for as long as possible. We have to try and find some kind of way of making this illness easier to live with.”

How you can support us and Alzheimer’s Society

As Angela says:

“It’s very important that we raise awareness and help raise money to develop new medication to help slow this process. Because it really is devastating. It really is.”

The Merry Maids UK Forget Me Knot challenge will continue to run throughout the summer months – with our teams nationwide getting involved in the virtual relay.

You can support our teams by sponsoring us in this endeavour via donations to our JustGiving page.

All proceeds will be donated to Alzheimer’s Society.

Or you can become a Dementia Friend today, either online or through a more comprehensive and in-person training session.

If you or a loved one knows someone who is struggling with dementia, see how we can help to give them a better quality of life for as long as possible by finding your nearest Merry Maids business or booking online today.

Merry Maids UK ‘Forget Me Knot Challenge’ Raises £4,000 for Alzheimer’s Society

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The Merry Maids UK Forget Me Knot Challenge has raised over £4,000 for Alzheimer’s Society and Dementia Friends.

At Merry Maids UK, we are a nationwide cleaning franchise that has long had our heart in care and the community.

When, in 2014, a friend of the Croydon-based franchise, Debbie Walker, was researching a PhD thesis on dementia patients and told her about Dementia Friends, we began to work closely with the charity and have never looked back.

Our Merry Maids business owners provide care across the UK through compassionate and professional home cleaning services.

This often means they encounter members of the public living with dementia and struggling with the disease.

This year, we took our dedication to giving back a mammoth step further by undertaking the Forget Me Knot Challenge – which has raised over £4,000 for Alzheimer’s Society.

The Forget Me Knot Challenge

The Forget Me Knot Challenge – named in reference to the tying together of Merry Maids businesses and the small blue flower that has long been associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia – was a sponsored virtual relay in which staff and owners from Merry Maids businesses across the UK ran, walked, or cycled the equivalent total mileage between each Merry Maids UK business.

The results

Cleaners, business owners, customers and head-office staff from across the UK put forward donations, helping raise over £4,000 – achieving more than double their initial £1000 donations and 2345 mileage targets.

Collectively, the Merry Maids franchise network has walked 4796.14 miles – the distance between London and Dallas, Texas!

Our stories

With over 900,000 people estimated to be living with dementia or Alzheimer’s in the UK today, it is likely that we all know or have known someone affected.

Each participant had their reasons for taking part.

Like Mike Fargher of Merry Maids in Sheffield and South Yorkshire, who racked up 1186 miles and generous donations by cycling and pledging £1 per mile.

“Our Merry Maids business has had many encounters with Dementia over the years,” says Mike.

“We have some long-term clients that did not have dementia when we started to clean for them but sadly now have it.  We also take on new clients where they, and their families, wish to remain in their own homes and, with the support of ourselves and other outside agencies, can do so.”

“Sometimes a client wants to chat over a cup of tea, to tell you about their life, family and other interests. The Maids may have heard the same stories several times but will listen as if it was the first time they heard it.”

Or the team in Fylde, Blackpool and Preston – including maids Angela and Bernie – who each has had multiple family members live with the disease.

“I’m doing the Forget Me Knot Challenge because I’ve been through dementia experiences three times so far, and I’m just about to go through my fourth with my dad,” Angela said back in July.

“It’s devastating. The person you once knew changes into somebody else.”

“They don’t die… straight away. It’s a long process. But they change. They’re unrecognisable as the person you once knew.”

“You have to be kind to one another. You have to talk. Don’t bottle things up, and listen. Listen to the person who is ill because they are just as confused as you are.”

“It’s important that we help them to feel as normal as possible for as long as possible. We must find ways of making this illness easier to live with, raise awareness and money to develop new medication to help slow this process.”

Learn more

To learn more about Merry Maids UK and our work with Alzheimer’s Society, call 0800 021 3072.

If you or someone you know would benefit from a professional and compassionate, regular or one-off, home cleaning service from the dementia friends at Merry Maids UK, find your nearest Merry Maids business or visit our online shop today.

Running a business… literally!

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Join us in supporting Merry Maids Bromley & Orpington owner Richard Wall in running the Cambridge Half-Marathon in aid of Dementia Friends this March.

In the spirit of hitting the ground running, the new owner of Merry Maids Bromley & Orpington, Richard Wall, is participating in the 13-mile Cambridge Half-Marathon to raise money for Dementia Friends on 6th March.

This comes following Richard’s recent participation in the 26-mile Brighton marathon, which, along with his regular training, has prepared Richard well. It has also tied into to his new business, as he has been able to incorporate his training into his commute to Merry Maids Bromley.

 

Richard running a business and running a mile in training for the half marathon!

Richard’s giving nature has gelled well with Merry Maids and his support-based approach to running his team is no better exemplified by his running in aid of supporting Dementia Friends.

About Dementia Friends

Dementia Friends will be receiving support from the ServiceMaster Brands UK family throughout 2022.

Dementia Friends is an initiative aiming to change the perception of dementia. Based around learning more about dementia, they strive to create a better quality of life for those living with the condition. Dementia Friends advocates the conversion of information to action to make a change. They do this by providing information about the reality of living with dementia on their website.

They then encourage turning this information into action by becoming a Dementia Friend. Part of what they do also involves partnering with brands, and in 2022, Merry Maids UK have become dementia friends.

We work closely with all of our clients and are always striving to make sure we can provide them with the best possible support. That’s why, up and down the country, our maid teams have been training to work sensitively and effectively with residents living with Alzheimer’s, and how best to aid them when carrying out our services in their homes. 

Alzheimer’s support is also close to Richard’s heart as his mum lived with dementia for 10 years before she passed away in 2019. Richard says he wants to do all he can to help support what Dementia Friends does to support those living with Alzheimer’s.

Show your support

Keep your eyes out for more of our fundraisers and events in aid of this good cause throughout the year. In learning more about the condition, we have also been able to convert information to action, as our services are dementia friendly.

You can also join us in sponsoring Richard in his effort to take action by donating to his JustGiving page today.

Book a clean

Give Richard and the team at Merry Maids Bromley and Orpington a call today on 01689 830000 to book a free, no-obligation quotation on a range of bespoke domestic cleaning services.

Or find your nearest Merry Maids business to book or to learn more about our services nationwide.