Introduction The start of a worthwhile project Return to Overview here
Let's get together Nav page here
more suitable graphic needed
The main benefits for people with dementia who attend the Dementia Meeting Centres are that they show fewer depressive symptoms and they have a higher self-esteem than carees in regular day-care. Furthermore, admission to a nursing home is postponed.
The main benefits for their carers is that they experience more support, have an increased feeling of competence, and feel less burdened.
More in that vein here
Contents
1 We are not organising a jumble sale
2 Anyone 1
3 Anyone 2
4 Yours truly
5 Informative "Understanding Dementia" meetings
6 What to do now
1 We are not organising a jumble sale
- Anyone aiming to improve dementia care services in their area would not expect to find all they need on one sheet of A4 or a small webpage
- You have gathered/will gather that just by looking at the page list here
2 Anyone 1
Those who have been involved as planners, initiators etc within any kind of public service
need read no further.
3 Anyone 2
- Those who are new to this sort of project are asked to reflect on the inevitability of extensive reading. lubricated by midnight oil.
- Then there's the set-up meetings. They decide upon visits to DMCs and similar.
- who does what. Can you take on a role?
- Can you make a presentation? If not, don't worry.
- take minutes?
- Face reality? There are those who are competent. What about the opposite, the time- wasters, and glory-seekers? Can you leave your hobby-horse at home?
- More meetings. Informative "Understanding Dementia" meetings. See list at foot of page.
- Initially, this page is pointed at No. 2 - Anyone 1.
- People of different capability are needed to make a balance.
- More to the point, people with enthusiasm to make a difference to the lives of others afflicted by dementia, and their carers.
- Are you a volunteer within care etc generally, who wants to move forward?
- Carers, however, are able to offer as much enthusiasm and as much in volume as the professionals and of a different type.
- Not many carers have time and energy for this work and others with lots to offer are needed.
- Are you enthusiastic, capable, ropable?
- Who else can you rope in?
30
These pages are the tip of the iceberg. Say "Cool" and sign up. Say "yes" if that's too modern for you! It is for me.
31
If not cool, see the last three words of 2 - Anyone 1 .
4 Yours truly
- Midnight oil within carer cupboards is a rare find. I couldn't replenish my cupboard on a regular basis.
- Emails, phone calls, and 1-to-1 or small-group meetings are manageable during this initiating period.
- After half a lifetime of committee meetings, the only chair I take now is to the car with my wife in it. This doesn't assume anything. Just making the point licentiously poetical.
- Attendance at meetings, this doesn't assume anything, must depend on a certain day of the week when my wife is at a daycare centre. We also attend the Leominster Dementia Meeting Centre on a 1/7 basis. However, I can be the occasional spectre at the feast once the ball is rolling.
- I live in Ross-on-Wye and can travel to Hereford for 1045 and Worcester 1115 on Thursdays. Depart 1415 1345. Meetings often start around then which will mean paid-for caree cover.
- Other days are possible.
- Once a routine has been established, I may need to withdraw. Evening meetings are specially difficult.
- That means, after a while, I can contribute by taking on armchair research etc and making occasional visits to explain results.
- The " Informative "Understanding Dementia" " meetings at Section 5 above should not be seen as final. The list is likely to be determined on the basis of meeting-member interests and needs. The inclusion of input from a carer is not apparent. This carer is available. Decision-makers could consider his most recent story - Dear Senior OT here. [A list of topics is being prepared. See My carer stories here]
- This series is in first draft and is E & O E. I need to find a tooth comb. This sentence and similar ADS-stafftext elsewhere will not appear on the final version.
My cards are on the table.
What about yours? Nothing will be made public on any website etc. Contact. 07952 060 505
Yours truly
Alan F Harrison 8 June 2016
- Intro to the dementia syndrome
- Different types of dementia
- Coping with behaviour problems - three sessions, one of which is a film
- Medication
- Modifications in living situation
- The grieving process
- Legal and ethical aspects
6 What to do now
A
See 6 The future - your opportunity to participate here unless seen previously.