Debbie Shirton-Taylor

As a carer it is always vital that Mrs Jones should be treated with respect and dignity, she has a right to decide what to wear and indeed, when shown a selection of clothes she chooses the dress she wants for going to church. Clearly she still cares about the way she looks because she checks herself in the mirror; however the carer was wrong to insist she wears the wig.

Instead it would be better to take into account Mrs Jones dementia means she may have forgotten what a christening is –after all it could have been some time since she attended one and we do not know if she has ever met her grandson who is to be baptised. Taking this into account the carer should complement her on the way she looks and suggest they take the wig in a bag. It is better to arrive in plenty of time so Mrs Jones is able to meet her daughter in a relaxed rather than a hurried way before the service starts. It maybe when she hears the organ playing the music triggers her memory ad she wishes to wear her wig, or she may decide not to, the important thing for her is that she should be there as part of the family at the celebration.

After wards she can look at the photographs or listen to recordings of hymns used during the service which may have emotional and behavioural benefits for Mrs Jones in the future. And the fact Mrs Jones was seen to be happy and comfortable when attending the service (with or without the wig) may give some comfort to the family in the future