Autumn Care Services

08/02/2026

Did you know that here at Autumn Care Services we offer a cleaning service too?! 🧼 🧽 🧹🫧

We have availability for weekly and bi-weekly cleans.

If you’re interested or know someone who might be, don’t hesitate to drop us a message or give us a call!

02/12/2025

If your aging parent, spouse, or loved one is happy and safely living independently in their own home, there will likely come a time when they will need some extra assistance in order to manage daily tasks.

The decision to hire home care is never an easy one. Below are a a few signs that home care may be needed.

Here at Autumn Care Services, we can help determine your loved one’s home care needs.

Please contact us on 01709 860926 or email [email protected]

24/11/2025

18/11/2025

14/11/2025

Sometimes a person with dementia may become intensely distressed and agitated in the later afternoon or towards the end of the day. This is known as ‘sundowning.’

The symptoms may continue into the night, making it hard for them to get enough sleep, but they aren’t necessarily linked to the sun setting, or limited to the end of the day.

Sundowning can happen at any stage of dementia but is more common during the middle and later stages.

The reasons why sundowning happens are not well understood, but it is possible that a range of different causes makes it more likely. These might include:

Tiredness, hunger, pain or other unmet physical needs

Not enough exposure to sunlight during the day

Overstimulation during the day, such as from a noisy or busy environment

Disturbance to the person’s ‘body clock’ caused by damage to the brain

Disturbed levels of hormones that vary over the course of the day

Sensory impairment, such as hearing or sight loss

Tiredness in other people causing the person with dementia to become upset

Mood disorders, such as anxiety or depression

Fewer carers around to look after the person (in a care home)

Side effects of prescribed drugs

Sometimes what seems like ‘sundowning’ could be the person trying to communicate a need. This could be needing the toilet, feeling hungry or being in pain.

Uneven indoor lighting and reflective surfaces can sometimes cause confusion by creating disturbing shadows or mirrors.

Close the curtains or blinds once it starts to get dark and cover the television with a dust cover, if it’s not being used.

Think whether something that’s happened during the day has affected them.

If they remain agitated, it could be that they have a need that is not being met.

If they seem agitated, try to calm them by distracting them, perhaps talking about a favourite memory.

[Image description:
A light blue infographic with the title 'What causes sundowning?' centred infront of a yellow glow, surrounding by eight different illustrations depicting each cause, including: tiredness, hunger, pain, lack of sunlight, overstimulation, sensory impairment, body clock disturbance, prescribed drug side effects, mood disorders, and hormone level imbalances.]

12/11/2025

Here at Autumn Care Services, we work with you to design your own care plan that is specifically tailored to your wants and needs.

Contact us today and let us support you living independently and safely in your own home!

09/11/2025

Remembrance Day!

Today we pause to honour the courage, sacrifice, and service of all who gave so much and those who continue to serve.

“At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.”

Lest we forget.

05/11/2025

Today is National Stress Awareness Day!

There are many reasons why we may feel stressed which can in turn affect our mental and physical health.

It’s important to recognise the signs and symptoms of stress in order to manage these feelings.

Some signs and symptoms may include:

- Headaches or migraines
- Feeling irritable
- Over or under eating
- Fatigue or low energy
- Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
- Forgetfulness or finding it hard to concentrate
- Muscle tension or body aches

It is important to make time for yourself, relax and do the things you enjoy. Below are a few ideas to help manage stress levels.

If you are struggling, try speaking to a friend, family member or maybe your GP!

29/10/2025

Today is World Stroke Day!

Below are a few ways how you can reduce the risk of a stroke:

🚭 Quit smoking and alcohol
🛑 Control blood pressure and cholesterol
✅ Manage diabetes
🏋🏾 Watch weight
🍏 Eat healthy
🏃🏾 Exercise regularly 30 minutes a day

Always remember to act FAST!

Face drooping
Arm weakness
Speech difficulty
Time to call 999

27/10/2025

Reminder! The clocks go back this weekend ⏰

Changing the clocks can be confusing for all of us – but for someone living with dementia it can be particularly disorientating and even distressing.

Thankfully there are a few easy things we can do to help minimise any disruption.

Consider having dinner and going to bed an hour earlier on Saturday, so that the person you’re caring for still gets enough sleep and can wake up at their usual time on Sunday.

Keep to a regular routine during the day and at bedtime. Doing regular activities at the same time each day – for example, going for a walk after breakfast – can help a person with dementia make sense of the time.

Gentle exercise outdoors can help the person feel sleepier during the evening. If this isn’t an option, keeping them active during the day can have a similar effect.

Use blackout curtains to reduce sunlight in the evening to help with body clock regulation.

Invest in an auto-setting clock for them. Reading 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 and date as well as the time, and for some people a day/night clock can help them distinguish what time of day it is.