We are very fortunate that Kate and Mike live next door.  Their informed support is always on hand: they have both cared for parents with dementia.  Kate made an excellent suggestion yesterday that confirmed my thinking  about sleep deprivation.  She said: ‘you need to behave like a mother with a new born baby by taking rest when you can’.  Simple really and it helped Maureen to feel that she wasn’t ‘being lazy’ as I had a lie in as well this morning..

The sun is out here today in all sorts of ways.  You wouldn’t believe the change in the weather and the transformation in Maureen’s presentation this morning.  Early days I know but if I control the environment today there is a chance that we will have a good day.  Maureen is so pleased that Chloe, one of our carers, is back form holiday.  She is also relieved I have discouraged  anyone else calling at the house today.  She said she felt she was staying in a hotel yesterday with all the comings and goings: I’m not surprised.

It is so reassuring that the Home Treatment Team do not work with the ‘medical model’.  How refreshing to have support from professional staff who have a much wider perspective on how to support families where dementia is impacting on their lives.  We are so fortunate to have a rapid Response Team and a Home Treatment Team who help aim to make care in the community a reality.