An exploration of the UK unpaid carer's world

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Dear Deborah

Contents

  1. Intro
  2. Publicity - content
  3. Publicity timing and recipients
  4. Numbers
  5. Admin
  6. Emergencies
  7. Modus operandi at URC


1  Intro


1.1

Dr Lennane at Alton Street Surgery, in case you don't know, is the Mental Health lead on the Clinical Commissioning Group.  He is a member of the Ross Mental Health and Wellbeing Steering Group which meets at URC.


1.2

We had a detailed conversation on 1 Sept and he is backing an immediate start to a Dementia Meeting Centre (DMC) in Ross.  We are both relieved and encouraged to have your support.


1.3

 I outlined a broad procedure and operational plan which Dr L supports.


1.4

However, this does not assume anything vis a vis URC and I hope you and I could talk about the project before anything is finalised.  Hope to phone you soon.  My number is 07952 060 505.


1.5

Once we have broad agreement on what follows, this will go to Dr Lennane.  He needs to look at 2.21 & 2.23.


1.6

To discuss the St Mary's dementia talk on Thurs 22 Sept at 3pm.

http://www.rtm.org.uk/Newsletters/2016/04.9.2016.pdf    newsletter and slide down on the right


1.7

The text here is not exhaustive so do add etc as you go along



2   Publicity - content


  1. Dates and times according to the URC calendar
  2.  
  3. The broad procedure is to issue publicity via Ross Gazette (RG) ((and Hereford Times (HT) ??)) relating to the first DMC session at URC during week commencing (WC) Monday 19 Sept - 1100 to 1600.
  4.  
  5. Dates and times of two public meetings (3pm and 7pm) four weeks later - WC Monday 10 October

  7. The whole DMC project  history, rationale and key future stages

  9. Important terms such as no personal care can be carried out.  This involves use of the WC.  Also medication.

  11. Where the UK DMCs are now and in pipeline

  13. A summary of what happens at a DMC.  To be taken from  -  http://carerworld.yolasite.com/worcdemtextleomjuly.php

  15. What will happen at the Ross DMC  - similar

  17. When it will happen.  URC to decide the day of the week.  DMCs so far, operate three days a week - Tues, Weds, Thurs.  One of these days is recommended.

  19. It will be made clear that the DMC will only operate within this pilot stage on one day per week due to self-funding.  If those attending want to extend, it will be discussed. 

  21. An invitation to carers with carees who are at the early or intermediate stage of dementia  1.4.2

  23. An invitation to people who are at the early or intermediate stage of dementia who cope without a carer and/or who still drive and/or who are able to self-organise 1.4.2

  25. Use of the term dementia does not rule out those who suffer from related mind ailments

  27. An invitation to the general public to attend 1.4.3.1

  29. An invitation to individuals/companies interested in supporting the project financially to attend 1.4.3.1

  31. To minimise parking problems, transport is hoped to be arranged via whatever community transport, and RWVS

  33. Aspects of  4  -  Modus operandi at URC  will be included


3  Publicity timing and recipients  - according to URC calendar


  1. A note to RG (and HT ??) by Fri 9 Sept stating that copy will arrive on Mon 12 Sept for, ideally, a half page.  Target publication date Weds 12 Sept.  The Ross DMC start day and date, ideally Tues or Weds or Thurs 20/21/22 Sept where the Weds is the highest ideal. 

  3. A note to ditto by Monday 19 re publishing a reminder if (Weds or) Thurs etc later in the week commencing has been chosen

  5. The St Mary's dementia talk on Thurs 22 Sept at 3pm takes place a week after publication - 1.6.  Chrissie Pepler as shown - contact her the day after publication?

  7. To discuss Assoc of Ross Traders v writing to individual companies

  9. To discuss use of local radio and other media

  11. Alzheimer's Society - funding existing DMCs

  13. County Council - minor funding of existing DMCs?

  15. Invite people/companies included in the Leominster programmes to visit without charge  - via http://carerworld.yolasite.com/worcdemtextleomhome.php


4  Numbers

  1. Dr Lennane may put forward 10 patients = 20 with their carers.  If Pendean wants to repeat, we may be looking at two days a week.  I need to find out from both surgeries what their intentions are.

  3. And that will be an important determinant as to what the publicity says about others coming in.


5 - Admin

  1. "Participant" = carers and carees

  3. Participant records via surgery-sourced carers and carees - I need to find out about

  5. Participant records of others will be dealt with by DMC-system docs

  7. DMC-system docs will cover everyone involved

  9. They include the optional use of participant photographs

  11. Need to establish how URC insurance and public liability applies to the situation . . .

  13. . . . and what our project needs


6 - Emergencies

  1. The record system is of vital importance

  3. Fire drill routine to be established

  5. Trained first aid volunteers available at all times

  7. To consider what other training is needed


7 - Modus operandi at URC

 

7.1  Involvement of the congregation

  1. If thought appropriate and if you are to outline the DMC on Tuesday, I can provide an overview as a user.  Answer Qs if time.

  3. Will there be a DMC committee/working party etc?  I am available.

  5. Assuming that the kitchen is open to the DMC, will a URC member be in attendance?  Would be useful on the first day and until everyone knows the routine.

  7. A list of opportunities can be drawn up with URC members having first preference

  9. The broad groups could include:


7.2  Opportunities - listed

  1. First aid

  3. Transport and parking

  5. Meeting/greeting - cloakroom - ensuring WCs are warm, clean and equipped

  7. Perhaps add or make separate - general tidiness of rooms etc during the day

  9. Seating

  11. Looking after equipment, collections, and art etc material

  13. Catering

  15. Notices and other internal comms

  17. Secretary, Publicity Secretary, Treasurer. 

  19. A title for the main person responsible needs discussion.  Not Manager.  Let's use Leader for the moment.

  21. The Secretary would maintain personal and equipment records.  It is not envisaged at this stage that the Sec would deal with general correspondence.

  23. The Publicity Secretary - obvious

  25. The Treasurer would collect the meal money plus any for trips, transport etc.  To discuss the wider aspects.  Bank account?  Need to set as a formal org.

  27. The Leader would ensure Admin and Emergencies above are dealt with.  Someone with experience of risk assessment is needed.

7.3  Some opportunities in more detail

7.3.1  Transport

blue text will go in the press release

  1. It might be useful to invite RWVS for discussion and possible involvement in the operation of the DMC

  3. Participants and all others involved will be invited to contribute to the organisation of the Ross DMC.  A decision-making process will emerge. Last sentence may be going too far.

  5. RossProf and his wife Teresa  have made many friends at the Leominster DMC.  He hopes Ross DMC will visit the Leominster DMC and vice versa. 

  7. That will need to be organised.  Teresa is a lone wheelchair user.  Ross DMC may well be different.


7.3.2  Parking

  1. To minimise parking problems, transport is hoped to be arranged via whatever community transport, and RWVS

  3. Please say how the parking will operate - A - if Merton is likely to cooperate  - B - other car parks: reasonable availability? 

  5. It needs to be clear to all that medium/long-term parking outside the Church, even involving wheelchairs, is not permitted.

  7. The Leominster DMC enjoys seven-hour disability parking.  Probably a waste of time to ask for same.

  9. The Transport and Parking person/people might take on disability parking juggling


7.3.3  Use of rooms

  1. From our brief chat on Sunday, I gather the main activity area (MAA)  to be the Church itself

  3. It is hoped that the back room (BR) will be available

  5. I hope to take a look at available storage space, if any

  7. Can we explore the use of folding partitions?  Useful for small group work, massage, reminiscense collections.  For use and storage in the BR.  Best if one (if more than one is OK, it or they can be folded) can be permanent as there will be collections such as the reminiscence items, sewing items, art material, books, turntable records, craft material and so on.  I imagine present storage space isn't space.

  9. See pods at 5.1, and absorb the Leom DMC via http://carerworld.yolasite.com/leompicsx.php

  11. MAA would be used for activites involving everyone.  Are there types of activity you want to exclude?
      12  BR use would include showing films, meetings when carers and carees are separated to obtain group    

             feedback, for visitor discussion while MAA is in motion, etc


7.3.4   Catering

blue text will go in the press release

  1. We can eat together any day; £3 - £4 per head can be pooled towards a shared meal

  3. The shared meal can be made working as a team or by a smaller number of participants

  5. We can add £1 per head to cover unlimited hot and cold drink

  7. This where volunteers will be useful in coordinating any team-produced meals.  URC vols even better.


7.3.5  Seating

  1. Absorb the Leom DMC via http://carerworld.yolasite.com/leompicsx.php  in seating context

  3. Note the variety of seating

  5. Even if someone donated £ to buy such chairs, no room to store



Reminiscence therapy -

will cancel Council room request


1.4.3

The publicity will also include:



--








Dear Deborah

Contents

  1. Intro
  2. Publicity - content
  3. Publicity timing and recipients
  4. Numbers
  5. Admin
  6. Emergencies
  7. Modus operandi at URC


1  Intro


1.1

Dr Lennane at Alton Street Surgery, in case you don't know, is the Mental Health lead on the Clinical Commissioning Group.  He is a member of the Ross Mental Health and Wellbeing Steering Group which meets at URC.


1.2

We had a detailed conversation on 1 Sept and he is backing an immediate start to a Dementia Meeting Centre (DMC) in Ross.  We are both relieved and encouraged to have your support.


1.3

 I outlined a broad procedure and operational plan which Dr L supports.


1.4

However, this does not assume anything vis a vis URC and I hope you and I could talk about the project before anything is finalised.  Hope to phone you soon.  My number is 07952 060 505.


1.5

Once we have broad agreement on what follows, this will go to Dr Lennane.  He needs to look at 2.21 & 2.23.


1.6

To discuss the St Mary's dementia talk on Thurs 22 Sept at 3pm.

http://www.rtm.org.uk/Newsletters/2016/04.9.2016.pdf    newsletter and slide down on the right


1.7

The text here is not exhaustive so do add etc as you go along



2   Publicity - content


  1. Dates and times according to the URC calendar
  2.  
  3. The broad procedure is to issue publicity via Ross Gazette (RG) ((and Hereford Times (HT) ??)) relating to the first DMC session at URC during week commencing (WC) Monday 19 Sept - 1100 to 1600.
  4.  
  5. Dates and times of two public meetings (3pm and 7pm) four weeks later - WC Monday 10 October

  7. The whole DMC project  history, rationale and key future stages

  9. Important terms such as no personal care can be carried out.  This involves use of the WC.  Also medication.

  11. Where the UK DMCs are now and in pipeline

  13. A summary of what happens at a DMC.  To be taken from  -  http://carerworld.yolasite.com/worcdemtextleomjuly.php

  15. What will happen at the Ross DMC  - similar

  17. When it will happen.  URC to decide the day of the week.  DMCs so far, operate three days a week - Tues, Weds, Thurs.  One of these days is recommended.

  19. It will be made clear that the DMC will only operate within this pilot stage on one day per week due to self-funding.  If those attending want to extend, it will be discussed. 

  21. An invitation to carers with carees who are at the early or intermediate stage of dementia  1.4.2

  23. An invitation to people who are at the early or intermediate stage of dementia who cope without a carer and/or who still drive and/or who are able to self-organise 1.4.2

  25. Use of the term dementia does not rule out those who suffer from related mind ailments

  27. An invitation to the general public to attend 1.4.3.1

  29. An invitation to individuals/companies interested in supporting the project financially to attend 1.4.3.1

  31. To minimise parking problems, transport is hoped to be arranged via whatever community transport, and RWVS

  33. Aspects of  4  -  Modus operandi at URC  will be included


3  Publicity timing and recipients  - according to URC calendar


  1. A note to RG (and HT ??) by Fri 9 Sept stating that copy will arrive on Mon 12 Sept

  3. A note to ditto by Monday 19 re publishing a reminder if (Weds or) Thurs etc later in the week has been chosen

  5. The St Mary's dementia talk on Thurs 22 Sept at 3pm takes place the day after publication - 1.6

  7. To discuss Assoc of Ross Traders v writing to individual companies

  9. To discuss use of local radio and other media

  11. Alzheimer's Society - funding existing DMCs

  13. County Council - minor funding of existing DMCs?

  15. Invite people/companies included in the Leominster programmes to visit without charge  - via http://carerworld.yolasite.com/worcdemtextleomhome.php


4  Numbers

  1. Dr Lennane may put forward 10 patients = 20 with their carers.  If Pendean wants to repeat, we may be looking at two days a week.  I need to find out from both surgeries what their intentions are.

  3. And that will be an important determinant as to what the publicity says about others coming in.


5 - Admin

  1. "Participant" = carers and carees

  3. Participant records via surgery-sourced carers and carees - I need to find out about

  5. Participant records of others will be dealt with by DMC-system docs

  7. DMC-system docs will cover everyone involved

  9. They include the optional use of participant photographs

  11. Need to establish how URC insurance and public liability applies to the situation . . .

  13. . . . and what our project needs


6 - Emergencies

  1. The record system is of vital importance

  3. Fire drill routine to be established

  5. Trained first aid volunteers available at all times

  7. To consider what other training is needed


7 - Modus operandi at URC


7.1  Involvement of the congregation

  1. If thought appropriate and if you are to outline the DMC on Tuesday, I can provide an overview as a user

  3. Will there be a DMC committee/working party etc?  I am available.

  5. Assuming that the kitchen is open to the DMC, will a URC member be in attendance?  Would be useful on the first day and until everyone knows the routine.

  7. A list of opportunities can be drawn up with URC members having first preference

  9. The broad groups could include:


7.2  Opportunities

  1. First aid

  3. Transport

  5. Meeting/greeting - cloakroom - ensuring WCs are warm, clean and equipped

  7. Perhaps add or make separate - general tidiness of rooms etc during the day

  9. Looking after equipment

  11. Catering

  13. Seating

  15. Notices and other internal comms

  17. Secretary, Treasurer. 

  19. A title for the main person responsible needs discussion.  Not manager.  Let's use Leader for the moment.

  21. The Secretary would maintain personal and equipment records.  It is not envisaged at this stage that the Sec would deal with general correspondence.

  23. The Treasurer would collect the meal money plus any for trips, transport etc.  To discuss the wider aspects.

  25. The Leader would ensure Admin and Emergencies above Someone with experience of risk assessment is needed


7.2  Parking

  1. To minimise parking problems, transport is hoped to be arranged via whatever community transport, and RWVS

  3. Please say how the parking will operate - A - if Merton is likely to cooperate  - B - other car parks: reasonable availability? 

  5. It needs to be clear to all that parking outside the Church, even involving wheelchairs, is not permitted.


7.3  Use of rooms

  1. From our brief chat on Sunday, I gather the main activity area (MAA)  to be the Church itself

  3. It is hoped that the back room (BR) will be available

  5. I hope to take a look at available storage space, if any

  7. Can we explore the use of folding partitions?  Useful for small group work, massage, reminiscense collections.  For use and storage in the BR.  Best if one (if more than one is OK, it or they can be folded) can be permanent as there will be collections such as the reminiscence items, sewing items, art material, books, turntable records, craft material and so on.  I imagine present storage space isn't space.

  9. See pods at 5.1, and absorb the Leom DMC via http://carerworld.yolasite.com/leompicsx.php

  11. MAA would be used for activites involving everyone.  Are there types of activity you want to exclude?


7.4   Catering

blue text will go in the press release

  1. We can eat together any day; £3 - £4 per head can be pooled towards a shared meal

  3. The shared meal can be made working as a team or by a smaller number of participants

  5. We can add £1 per head to cover unlimited hot and cold drink

  7. This where volunteers will be useful in coordinating any team-produced meals.  URC vols even better.


Reminiscence therapy -

will cancel Council room request


1.4.3

The publicity will also include: