Dementia Archives - Page 2 of 4 - Care and Nursing Essentials

Dementia friends gather at Teesside care home

DEMENTIA friends gathered at Teesside care home for training to support those with the condition. Dementia champion and crime prevention officer at Cleveland Police, Peter Ridley facilitated the session at The Beeches Care Home, on Green Lane, Stockton on Tees. There were more than a dozen attendees, including staff from the home, family of residents, members of the Carlton WI and others from the community. WI member Ann Swinbank said: “I wanted to learn more as a family member has been showing dementia-like symptoms and I felt it would help if I knew how to assist them going forward.” The Beeches Care Home manager, Jess Brown, met session facilitator Pete during their dementia friends training at the Dementia Hub in Thornaby. Pete has since helped ensure Cleveland Police is completely dementia friendly, with all new cohorts receiving dementia friends training. He said: “I was delighted to be asked to present the dementia friends session at The Beeches. “I became a dementia champion to help build awareness in the community of the challenges that people who live with dementia face. “If we can create awareness, it will help people be more understanding when they interact with a person who has dementia.” Jess said: “We had a great turnout with 14 for our dementia friends session. “As a care home looking after those with dementia, we wanted to do our bit to help others understand the condition better, so they can support their friends and loved ones. “These sessions are aimed at raising awareness and understanding, so that people living with dementia can continue to live the way they want. “We’re planning to run sessions at local schools to give children an understanding of what it’s like to live with dementia and how to help those who have it. “We’re also organising further sessions at the home and we’ll make the dates available to those wishing to know more as soon as possible.” The Beeches Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.

Forest Nursery Helps People with Dementia Remember Their Roots

An innovative forest school and nursery based in South East Northumberland is branching out with a new partnership involving North East charity MIND Active, so that people with dementia can join in with the children’s memory-building exercises. Footprints on the Moon was established in 2015 by Annie Blight from Cramlington. As a child, she frequently cycled to Plessey Woods to play in the peaceful woodland surroundings while enjoying exciting adventures beneath the trees. It became Annie’s mission to help children enjoy nature and learn from the forest, as she had done herself as a child. After running a range of activities at various outdoor locations in Northumberland, Annie’s dream came true last year when she set up Footprints on the Moon’s permanent base at Plessey Woods Country Park. Annie says, “I chose the name ‘Footprints on the Moon’ as I believe that there are no limits to what our children can achieve. Using their imagination and creativity, they can reach the moon and beyond.” The forest school runs activities for all age groups and the nursery caters for two to five-year-olds and is open five days a week. Lessons are based on the great outdoors and nature. With today’s urban lifestyles, some children don’t see much of the countryside and often only visit their local park or seaside on rare family days out. The school uniquely uses a giant parachute as a shelter and campfires encourage the children to bond whilst learning basic outdoor cooking skills. Children are able to construct adventure dens, listen to stories in specially constructed areas and relax in hammocks conveniently strung between the trees. In essence, the children are taught to connect with the natural world and create educational memories that will last a lifetime. Like any traditional nursery, the children enjoy rhymes, songs and story-telling, an experience which is now helping people with dementia to rekindle their own childhood memories, improve their focus and soak up the relaxing atmosphere under the ancient trees. MIND Active is a registered charity that supports local volunteers who help improve the lives of elderly people in the area. Angela Clark, Project Co-ordinator says, “We’re very excited about working with Footprints on the Moon. Visiting the nursery school and taking part in their activities is the kind of experience that is really beneficial for someone with dementia. Very often, just being around young children can help people with dementia remember details about their own past. Dementia can be a very frustrating condition. Spending time in the tranquil woodland helps relieve that frustration and promotes relaxation. By helping the children with their memory tasks, dementia sufferers are finding that their own minds are positively stimulated. It’s also something fun to do which is outside the sometimes-mundane routine of daily life. We’re thrilled to be working with Footprints on the Moon and we’re confident that this is the start of a long and successful joint venture.” Annie agreed: “Helping our youngsters with the words of nursery rhymes and songs is great therapy for those with memory difficulties. It helps to ignite childhood reminiscences and the older people love spending time with the kids and the children love having them around.” Footprints on the Moon currently has 4 members of staff and is helped by a small team of volunteers, including students from Newcastle University. The team, including the children’s parents, are passionate about letting children make the most out of spending time in a natural environment. Local businesses have also supported the venture with funding provided by the Postcode Lottery and Bedlington Town Council.

RCH Care Homes makes dementia commitment

RCH Care Homes makes dementia commitment as part of Dementia Action Week To mark Dementia Action Week (DAW), which ran from 20 to 26 May 2019, RCH Care Homes committed to creating 900 new Dementia Friends! As part of RCH’s ongoing partnership with the Association for Dementia Studies (ADS), and to complement our dementia strategy, By Your Side; all 900 employees across our 10 care homes and support services will become ‘Dementia Friends’ over the coming months. The Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends programme aims to change the way the nation thinks, acts and talks about the condition so supporting the initiative seemed a fitting action to commit to during DAW. RCH’s By Your Side strategy and the partnership with the world-renowned dementia research and education centre ADS, were launched earlier this year. The strategy, which is founded on four key pillars; training, environment, activities and hospitality, is being rolled out and embedded in the business’ ten care homes across the east and south east of England during 2019, alongside specialist ADS training for our ten care home managers and 24 dementia specialists. RCH Care Home’s Chief Operating Officer, Stephen Rees, said: “We are delighted to support Dementia Friends as part of Dementia Action Week as it complements our ongoing commitment to improving the lives of people living with dementia. Creating 900 new Dementia Friends within our homes will further support our drive to ensure all of our residents wake up in the morning looking forward to the day ahead, and go to bed at night feeling happy, loved and contented, having had a great day.” You can find more information about our dementia care at www.rchcarehomes.co.uk or by emailing care@rchcarehomes.co.uk.

Light projection game makes all the difference to those living with dementia

Staff at MHA Langholme care home in Falmouth were left in awe after seeing first-hand the transformative effect that a motion-activated sensory projection had on residents living with dementia in the home. With the goal of stimulating, engaging and relaxing the mind, this projection technology, which is manufactured in the UK, comes equipped with quizzes, music and themes that have been designed to prompt conversation, spark nostalgia and maintain memory. Its use of therapeutic scenes and sounds which derive from nature have been known to instantly improve a dementia resident’s sense of calm. Through this OM Interactive motion-activated technology, residents can reach out to pop a bubble, grow a flower simply by touching it, and even dip their toes in the water as the tide rolls in – all without leaving the sense of security that their own room provides. This is made possible by the equipment’s portable and height-adjustable properties which are able to project coloured streams of light onto any table, bed or floor. For many mid-to-late stage dementia residents, the ability to speak or recognise loved ones can be a struggle. But with this new activity that all generations can enjoy, including children and their grandparents alike, staff at MHA Langholme care home have ensured that families can connect in a new way. It is one of the few care homes in the South West to offer this technology. Maria Brown, Home Manager at MHA Langholme care home said: “I first noticed the effect one of these projection games could have when a company came to demonstrate it at our Summer Fair last year, after seeing one of our dementia residents, who was visibly distressed at the number of people around her, immediately become immersed in the interactive game. “After that, I remember telling our team that we simply had to have one, whatever it takes.” Administration Manager, Kate Bateson adds “Here at MHA Langholme, we understand the benefits that social interaction has on the day-to-day lives of our residents. The effect this technology has isn’t like anything I have ever seen before – its ability to soothe and engage residents is enough to bring a tear to anyone’s eye.”

How you can help during Dementia Action week?

This Dementia Action Week, 20 – 26 May, Alzheimer’s Society is calling for people to focus on inclusion, and take action so people living with dementia can stay connected to the things they love for longer. Over a third of people living with dementia have recently felt lonely and over a third have lost touch with their friends following a diagnosis (Alzheimer’s Society’s Turning up the Volume report). Across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, this means hundreds and thousands of people living with dementia are feeling cut off. Public anxiety and a sense of social awkwardness contribute to the isolation that people living with dementia experience – over half of the general public report that they don’t feel confident visiting someone with dementia in a care home or inviting them to a meal at their home. Living with dementia doesn’t need to mean an isolated life – after all, people with dementia are still people. This Dementia Action Week, Alzheimer’s Society is urging everyone to unite with them and take action – so people living with dementia can stay connected to the things they love for longer. It’s as simple as continuing to stay in touch, talk to and visit friends, family and neighbours with dementia. Or learning more about dementia and volunteering with Alzheimer’s Society to help someone in your local area. Our small acts of kindness can make a huge impact in helping people with dementia stay connected. Last year, over 900 events took place across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Our film reached 1.8 million views, thousands of people pledged to take action for people affected by dementia online and we made over 21,000 Dementia Friends. People don’t realise that many people with dementia may find it difficult to recognise faces of friends and family members, but they still hold an ‘emotional memory’ which means they continue to feel happy long after a visit or experience that they may have forgotten. Spending time with loved ones is important because it can stimulate feelings of familiarity, happiness, comfort and security. Staying connected and taking part in activities helps a person with dementia feel less isolated. Look out for campaign materials for the week promoting the best ways to stay in touch, have a conversation and make a difference to people with dementia in your community. To find your nearest event during Dementia Action Week, and to get involved and take action, visit alzheimers.org.uk/DAW.

Penwortham man living with dementia releases song for Alzheimer’s Society

69-year-old John Holt who is living with dementia has been inspired to write a song about his experiences of the condition. The song ‘The Secret D’ has been released on iTunes with all proceeds going to Alzheimer’s Society. John, who lives in Penwortham, attends Alzheimer’s Society’s Singing for the Brain in Penwortham, and is also a member of the Skylarks Community Choir. As a former musician in a brass band, John penned the lyrics and contacted ‘The Songwriting Charity’, set up by Nathan Timothy, who agreed to write the music and produce it. John explains: “I wanted to write something that explains what happens when you get dementia and how if you keep doing activities it can genuinely help you. I hope the lyrics communicate how I feel I live with the illness and emphasise that there are many things we can still do and learn. We don’t have to just sit back and silently accept the inevitable. ‘I try to be as active as possible and organise lots of new things and I really believe that helps me to deal with this condition. I wanted to share that message with other people with dementia, and, at the same time, raise funds for Alzheimer’s Society, as I feel the charity has really helped me. ‘I feel my confidence has grown since attending these singing groups. I do a solo every week, and prior to getting dementia, I would never have stood up and sung. Now I have written a song and sold 200 copies of the CD already.” Nathan Timothy from The Songwriting Charity based in Kent said: “John contacted me after reading online about my work and I was honoured when he asked me if I could help him with this fantastic and unique project. My own father has been diagnosed with dementia so I am fully aware of the impact it has on the lives of so many people.” The lead vocals are sung by 22 year-old Lewis Hampson who studies music at UCLan. Lewis recently lost his grandfather to dementia and so was keen to be involved as it had a personal significance for him. Lewis Hampson says: “I met John at a singing for the brain group having been persuaded to go along by mum who works for Alzheimer’s Society. Having lost my grandad last year, who lived with dementia, I felt humbled when I was asked to sing lead vocals on the song John had wrote. It made me think I was giving something back to the society who had supported him and my nan. I am in my final year at UClan studying Musical Theatre so singing is a great passion of mine. Being part of this project was my absolute pleasure.” A small group from Skylarks community choir (including John) were also involved in singing on the recording. Jane Swarbrick, who leads Alzheimer’s Society’s Singing for the Brain group and runs Skylark Community choir said: “It’s amazing what John has achieved by writing this song and selling 200 copies of the CD already. I think it’s truly inspirational that so many people have come together to support and help make this happen for John. ‘I think John echoes an important message that people can still live well with dementia and keeping active and having interests helps many people with dementia. ‘Music is also so important for people with dementia. Even when many memories are hard to retrieve, music can sometimes still be recalled – if only for a short while. Singing for the Brain sessions help people living with dementia communicate, improving their mood and leaving them feeling good about themselves.’ ‘Dementia devastates lives, but dementia won’t win. Until the day we find a cure we will be here for anyone affected by dementia, where they are, whatever they’re going through. We need more people like John and those who have supported him to join us now and unite against dementia.” If you want to download the song please go to https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/the-secret-d-single/1455634899 John is also writing a book called ‘From Birth to Dementia’ about his life. From running your local 5K to trekking Mount Kilimanjaro and cycling from London to Paris to parachuting, Alzheimer’s Society has a fantastic range of events both in the UK and abroad. Unite with us now at www.alzheimers.org.uk

Alzheimer’s Society to launch new café support group

Parbold and Skelmersdale Alzheimer’s Society dementia cafes will become one new café support group for people with dementia starting on Wednesday 10 April at Skelmersdale library. The amalgamated Café will provide an opportunity for people with dementia and their carers to socialise and get much needed face to face support. Dementia Cafés provide people with dementia and carers a platform to talk openly about living with dementia within a relaxed and informal environment. The group will also hear from a variety of guest speakers, including health and social care professionals and representatives from the local community, about topics and services relevant to them. Kathleen Storton, Services Manager for Alzheimer’s Society in West Lancashire said: “Following feedback from people currently attending both cafes in Parbold and Skelmersdale, we agreed it made sense to hold just one café support group on a different day in the afternoon from 1pm – 3pm to make it more accessible for people affected by dementia. ‘Alzheimer’s Society continues to support people affected by dementia in West Lancashire through our Dementia Adviser and Dementia Support services. Merging the cafes enables our Dementia Support Worker to spend more time providing one to one support. ‘Dementia cafes can really help improve people’s quality of life. They give people with the condition and their carers the opportunity to socialise with others in similar situations and receive vital support. They’re also a great source of information and guidance which can help people to live well with the condition. ‘Alzheimer’s Society also provide information, support and advice through our national Dementia Helpline and are here for anyone affected by dementia on 0300 222 11 22. Our website (alzheimers.org.uk) offers a wealth of information about all forms of dementia, along with Talking Point is our free online community where anyone affected by dementia can receive peer support. ‘We do hope that you can come along and join us on Wednesday 10 April to help us launch the café.” Linda Manwaring who attends the Dementia Café in Ormskirk said: “My life has improved a great deal since coming to the café support group, because I can talk to other carers and the staff and I can also share experiences with them. The dementia cafes are an excellent idea. ‘I think the staff and volunteers are very supportive and kind. They have a lovely way about them which can really help. It’s a great way for people to come together, carers can share experiences and gain support from others in a similar situation” There are 1,544 people living with dementia in West Lancashire. With the right support people can live well with the condition for a number of years. If you would like more information about the Skelmersdale café starting on Wednesday 10 April (1.30pm until 3.30pm) please contact Kathleen Storton and other Alzheimer’ Society staff on 01772 788700 or kathleen.storton@alzheimers.org.uk As well as Dementia Cafés, Alzheimer’s Society in West Lancashire runs a number of services including Dementia Advisers, Dementia Support Workers, Singing for the Brain and Carers Information and Support Programme. For more information visit alzheimers.org.uk/localinfo

Visiting dog inspires care home resident to speak

RALPH the dog turned a care home resident who rarely speaks into a chatterbox during a recent visit. The pet pooch and his owner, Ian Turnbull, were visiting The Beeches Care Home, in Stockton-on-Tees. When the pair went to see resident Brian Fenny, 85, who has dementia, staff were surprised when he began speaking to his four-legged visitor. Jessica Roth, activities coordinator at The Beeches Care Home, said: “Brian doesn’t tend to talk that much and mainly communicates through gestures and looking at pictures. “However, when he saw Ralph, he started talking in sentences. He kept saying Ralph was “lovely”, and a “good boy”. He was telling Ralph to sit and wait as he was giving him his dog treats. “Brian had a big smile on his face and then, when Ralph was going to see the next resident, he put his thumbs up. “Myself and the other girls on shift were surprised at how much he responded to Ralph. It warmed our hearts seeing him so happy with the dog.” The visit from Ralph and Ian was arranged through Wag and Company North East Friendship Dogs. The charity assesses volunteers and their dogs and arranges regular visits to older dog lovers in their own homes or in care and medical establishments across the region. As well as visiting Brian, Ralph was taken to see other residents in their rooms and those sat in the main lounges in both the home’s residential and dementia units. Jessica Brown, home manager at The Beeches Care Home, said: “Everyone responded well to Ralph and enjoyed giving him dog treats. “A big thank you goes to Ian for bringing Ralph to meet the residents and to Wag and Company for arranging the visit. “The residents always love visits from animals, particularly dogs, as many of them used to be dog owners and activities like this bring back fond memories.” For similar stories about Ralph the dog and other care related stories click here

Categorie: Dementia