Natalie’s story: living well with dementia

For many families supporting a loved one living with dementia, the thought of planning a day out can feel daunting.

While it’s normal for questions around safety, comfort, and unpredictability to surface, with the right preparation (and a little creativity), even small outings can become powerful moments of connection.

Someone who knows this well is Sarah, one of our carers here at The Good Care Group. For over three years now, she has been supporting Natalie, who loves listening to her favourite music, spending time with her church group, and exploring the local area. 

Though Natalie lives with dementia, Sarah knows just how important days out are to her. That’s why she developed a list of things that help her support Natalie during their trips together. In this blog, we’d like to share Sarah’s tips with you, and tell you more about their latest day out in Southsea.

A day trip to Southsea

As part of her local community group, Natalie has visited museums, the circus, and other local landmarks. So, when she was invited to visit the D-Day museum in Southsea, Sarah wanted to make the day as special as possible. 

With Southsea being a new place for them both, Sarah made sure to plan so that Natalie could take regular breaks if things got a little overwhelming. She also added a couple of other activities to break up the day, like getting ice cream, exploring the beach, and stopping for lunch. 

This way, Natalie could take part in her community day out, and have a plan B to fall back on in case she got tired, or needed a change of scenery. 

“For the past few years, I’ve watched how new experiences and memory-rich moments light Natalie up. That’s why I chose Southsea, an adventure for us both and the D-Day Museum, knowing its history could spark reminiscence. These moments aren’t just heart-warming, they’re vital for brain health when living with dementia. It’s a reminder of how powerful shared experiences can be for those facing this condition.” – Sarah

Preparing for comfort and calm

The success of the outing, Sarah believes, came down to preparation. Beyond the essentials (medication, snacks, water, and sun cream), she made sure to bring along small comforts that mattered specifically to Natalie.

This attention to detail ensured Natalie could fully relax, knowing that her needs, both practical and emotional, would be met.

“Packing Natalie’s favourite snacks and drinks is just as important as her walking aids. Familiar comforts can turn anxiety into calm and joy.” – Sarah

The journey matters

For many people living with dementia, the journey itself can set the tone for the entire day. Long or complicated travel can cause fatigue and confusion, so Sarah kept the trip manageable, building in toilet breaks and checking in with Natalie’s mood along the way.

“You can plan every detail, but how the day unfolds depends on how it’s received in the moment. By easing small worries like toilet breaks, Natalie was free to be present, sociable, and truly enjoy the experience.” – Sarah

Bringing the past into the present

Some of the most meaningful trips come from linking activities to Natalie’s past positive memories. Even simple things, like buying her favourite ice cream flavour, or smelling flowers from her childhood garden, can bring joy and spark conversation.

“Natalie was a magistrate and a primary school teacher, and her husband Wesley was the Dean of Westminster. They both shared a deep love of music. It’s amazing how a familiar hymn can calm her when things feel overwhelming. Music really helps bring her back to a place of comfort.” – Sarah

Adapting when plans change

No day out is without its surprises. On the morning of their seaside trip, the weather turned colder than expected, but instead of abandoning the day, Sarah simply pivoted.

The pair explored the D-Day Museum and castle, enjoyed a walk, and stopped for lunch. It became Natalie’s first trip outside of her hometown in some time, and even with a change of plan, it was a success.

“It felt really special. The best days are the ones where you let go of perfection and focus on being present together.” – Sarah

The power of shared experiences

For families and caregivers, it’s easy to assume that our loved ones living with dementia may not be able to enjoy outings like they used to. But Natalie’s story shows us that this simply isn’t the case. With careful thought, empathy, and flexibility, a simple day trip can create lasting joy and connection.

“Small outings have a big impact on people living with dementia. They may face daily challenges, but that doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy a summer day out. The key is preparation, patience, and being able to pivot when things don’t go to plan.” – Sarah

A special thanks to Sarah

Sarah has been working with The Good Care Group for over seven years now, and, in that time, has proven the difference exceptional care can make in the lives of those living with dementia. 

We’d like to say a big thank you to Sarah, and all the incredible carers who go above and beyond, every day.

If you’d like to learn more about our specialist dementia and Alzheimer’s care services, you can visit our website or speak to our friendly team.