Tag Archives: Northern Ireland Executive

Date published: 28 December 2018 The Queen’s New Year honours list of award recipients for 2019 has been published. Honours are given to people from all walks of life and all sections of society who have made a difference to their community. You … read more

It’s important to prepare and cook your festive food safely. Every year people suffer food poisoning in December as a result of campylobacter bacteria, which is found in turkey and chicken. Avoiding food poisoning It’s important that you handle, prepar… read more

Look after your mental health and that of your loved ones over the holiday period. Christmas is traditionally viewed as a time of celebration and happiness, but unfortunately for some it can also be stressful and lonely. Tips on dealing with stress Man… read more

Date published: 18 December 2017

Christmas can pose challenges for people living with dementia, and those close to them. Here are some tips to help everyone enjoy the festive season.

Involve your loved one

In the lead up to the Christmas period, involve your loved one who has dementia.

Things you could do include:

• discuss with them what they would like to do over the Christmas period – do they want to visit friends or would they like friends to visit them in their own home
• if family and friends cannot come home for Christmas, consider setting up face time or video calls, this is a fabulous way of people keeping in touch
• if you haven’t done so already, involve them in putting up the Christmas tree and decorations – it provides a perfect opportunity for them to reminisce about their early memories of Christmas and the enjoyable times with friends and family in years gone by
• if they enjoyed shopping but are less mobile, encourage online shopping, and give them independence over choosing presents for their loved ones
• arrange for them to go to their local church and/ or carol service over the festive period
• if they like to be involved in the preparation of food, continue this tradition so that it makes them feel that they have an active role to play and they don’t feel excluded

Advice for carers

If you are a carer:

• share the caring duties, if family members are home over the Christmas period ask them to help out with the caring role
• devise a rota for caring duties and have some back-up plans in case agreed arrangements don’t fall into place (grandchildren, friends and neighbours may also wish to be part of a ‘one-off’ rota for caring or befriending, this can allow you to have a night out or a day’s shopping in the run-up to Christmas)
• you need to spend precious time with your own family, such as husband, wife, partner, children and grandchildren – you should not feel guilty about someone else doing your caring duties 
• don’t forget your own health and wellbeing – plan in advance what you wish to do if you get a break at Christmas from your caring duties

Dementia

You can find information about the signs of dementia, how to get a diagnosis, and where to find help and support in the dementia section.

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If you’re thinking of buying a pet dog, beware unknowingly paying for one which has come from outside the UK and has not been properly vaccinated. Disease and having the dog quarantined are some of the risks.

Illegal trade

There is an ongoing illegal trade in pups imported from eastern Europe. There has been an increase in cases of genuine buyers being duped into buying illegally-imported pups. 

These pups are often bred in very poor conditions, which give rise to major health and welfare concerns.

Risk of disease and quarantine 

All dogs entering Northern Ireland from outside the UK, must be:  

• at least 15 weeks old
• microchipped
• correctly vaccinated against rabies
• treated for tapeworm (unless the dog comes directly from Finland, Republic of Ireland, Malta or Norway)
• in possession of a pet passport or veterinary certificate

Where the legal requirements are not met, pets will either: 

• go into quarantine for a period of up to four months at the owners’ expense 
• be sent back to the country they have travelled from or
• face the possibility of being destroyed

This is necessary to keep Northern Ireland free of diseases such as rabies and Alveolar Echinococcus (a very severe human disease caused by tapeworms).

Not all families will be able to afford these additional costs and therefore face the risk of having to experience the heartache of not being reunited with their family pet.

Advice

Useful advice about buying puppies (and specifically imported dogs)  is provided on the following page: 

It also has detailed guidance on the requirements for pet animals being brought into Northern Ireland from countries outside the UK.

Alternatively anyone considering bringing a pet into the country can contact Trade Section, DAERA for advice by: 

It is also worth remembering there are many puppies and dogs cared for by local animal charities needing new homes with caring owners.

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