Tag Archives: Good Practise

Dementia: Combination Therapy

Mixed Dementia,

Image result for Natural Remedies for Low Mood picture

Maureen seems rather down at the moment which isn’t at all surprising when you consider what she has to contend with as dementia marches relentlessly on.  Therefore, I have introduced some tried and tested natural remedies for improving memory, lifting mood and regaining contact with family:

  • I have replaced rosemary sprigs all over the house as they had lost their aroma.
  • I have put orange peel in the lounge to add a positive fragrance to the room.
  • I have massaged and placed a heated wheat bag on Maureen’s left foot as it is always cold.
  • I have booked her a home pedicure and manicure for 2 pm this afternoon.
  • I  have booked a chauffeur driven day out on Saturday so we can reconnect with  Maureen’s  family.

Follow the links underlined above for references on the effectiveness of these remedies: only time will tell how well Maureen responds to this combination therapy.

There will be further combination therapy taking place at 11 am this morning when I meet with our Key Worker to review our Care Plans.  I’m not convinced that more of the same is required: we need to consider some significant changes to our Care Plans to ensure that they remain person-centred.

Dementia: ‘Feelings Matter Most’ (Sheard)

Mixed Dementia,

Our Key Worker was with us for about an hour yesterday as part of his assessment of Maureen following the Best Interest Meeting.  As always she was pleased to see him and after he had gone she said; ‘I think he’s pleased with us’.   She went on to say that she believed he had the authority to split us up, even send us to separate Care Homes but she didn’t think he would ever do that.

Earlier in the year, a Manager from our Memory Service pointed me in the direction of David Sheard who asserts that feelings matter most when someone has dementia.  I have no idea if our Key Worker has ever heard of the man but he always leaves Maureen with a positive feeling and as he left she said: ‘please call again’

I look forward to meeting our Key Worker on Thursday when we will attempt to put ‘the meat on the bones’ of our Support Package.   Maureen and I continue to count our blessings for the professional and sensitive approach of the man!

Dementia: Happy May Day

Mixed Dementia

I looked at the calendar a short while ago and realised it was May Day.  There is only one song that I always play when the going gets tough here and it could not be more appropriate today:

There are some people who suggest that there is no such thing as social class.  I would pose to them one simple question: who owns the yacht?  Another famous quote from my brother in law the owner of The Sanctuary!

Dementia: Walking In The Sunshine

Mixed Dementia,

Image result for walking in the sunshine picture

Maureen excelled in the beautiful sunshine that we both enjoyed here in Cleethorpes yesterday afternoon.  I could hardly hold back the tears as I saw my lovely wife walking and talking in the streets of Humberston.

She was a little nervous as I encouraged her to walk around Royal Court alone.  I was able to watch her until the corner and shout words of encouragement as she hesitated at the sound of a barking dog but she looked back at me and walked on.  I stood rather nervously at the other end of the Court until she came into sight.  As soon as I saw her I shouted words of encouragement and was pleased when she returned my greeting.

There were lots of people out in their front gardens as we continued on our stroll.  We stopped and chatted as we ambled along and Maureen was keen to interact with the gardeners.  I think her enthusiasm was sparked by making new acquaintances: she hates it when she can’t remember who people are.

Towards the end of our walk, a gentleman recognised that I was wearing a Coventry City shirt and we stood for almost half an hour chatting to him about all sorts of things. Maureen loved talking to this man as she was able to contribute to the conversation about Coventry and coal mining.  He had been a surveyor in the mining industry something that surrounded Maureen in her childhood.

I’m not sure what the weather forecast is for today but it is another day when opportunity knocks as I have cancelled the carer sit as it would have been a newbie.  If the sun shines on us today who knows what we might get up to.  My money is on Maureen proving the doubters wrong as confidence may be the issue on some fronts rather than capacity.   If I’m patient and continue with positive risk taking my money is on the butterfly emerging from her chrysalis as spring moves into summer.

The only downside of yesterday was that Girl Monday/Friday was still on holiday.  This means that Maureen won’t hear her ‘good news’ until Friday but I understand she may be already be booked in for babysitting.  It also looks likely that our longest serving carer will not be at the Best Interest Meeting on Thursday and I have therefore suggested another postponement until she is available.  The way things are going she might even have to bring the baby to the meeting!

 

Dementia: A Timely Reminder

Mixed Dementia,

Image result for A Timely Reminder Picture

Ode To A Care Giver

From Wellspring Village Residents at Brightview Concord River

Always be patient for those in need

You must be a good listener, a good listener indeed.

Always be willing to lend a hand

And empathize so you understand.

Always remember the success I’ve had,

So don’t get discouraged or feel bad.

Put yourself in our place each day you’re here

Speak slowly and calmly, keep communication clear.

Join my reality and focus on what I can still do

Because I’m still here, still here with you.

Ends

Tracey MaxfieldThe above Ode was sent by Tracey Maxfield (pictured right), one of my contacts on Linkedin.  It is typical of the support we receive from all over the world since I started blogging.  I think she must be psychic as the reminder to ‘speak slowly and calmly, keep communication clear’ was really needed today.   I was far from calm when Maureen was missing from the marital bed earlier this morning.  In fact,  I panicked for a while until I found her safely tucked up in the single bed that I regard as ‘my den’ in the lounge.

Today is the second Friday in a row that I have decided not to have a break from my kitchen duties by having fish and chips at a local Care Home.  Another invitation to eat out would have been declined by Maureen today as she knows I usually have haddock and potato wedges on the menu.   What is reassuring is that staff in local Care Homes’understand that Maureen prefers home cooking and ‘where I’m coming from’.  They accept that for Maureen to spend time in their company would not be in either of our Best Interests at the moment.  What a pity that some members of our Multi-Disciplinary Team may well not see it that way when Maureen’s Best Interests are formally discussed next Thursday!

Dementia: Compassionate Company

Mixed Dementia,

Image result for Compassionate Company Picture

Although yesterday was a little disappointing we both had the pleasure of enjoying some compassionate company.   Wayne our chauffeur, like all of the staff of Airport Travel, treated Maureen with dignity and respect.   From the time of our arrival at Madyhamaka to our departure lots of people went out of their way to make our short stay as comfortable as possible.  It was refreshing to see Maureen treated as a person rather than someone who has dementia.  What a lovely change from the approach of many who darken our door and under the guise of a person-centred-approach cannot see beyond her diagnosis.

 

Dementia: From The Inside

Mixed Dementia, ,

My Support Worker from the Grimsby Branch of the Alzheimer’s Society sent me this video a few days ago:

As I return to posting on this Blog following my self-imposed Gardening Leave the video reminds me that dementia is frequently giving Maureen a torrid time.  Therefore, my role as her Care Partner is to attempt to minimise her distress.

Dementia: RIP Chuck Berry

Mixed Dementia

This is a postcard from my spell on Gardening Leave – a tribute to a great musician:

Update: After checking this out with someone who knows I have just added a further song from Chuck.   We believe this was recorded at the Locarno in Coventry – my birthplace:

 

Dementia: On Gardening Leave

Mixed Dementia

Image result for On Gardening Leave Picture

I have decided to place myself on Gardening Leave from blogging for a while so that I can focus on some important matters.

Our decorator will be here shortly to begin to make subtle colour changes to make it easier for Maureen to find her way around the house.  Later in the morning, I’m scheduled to meet my Admiral Nurse where I want to review how we all aim to support Maureen as her dementia progresses.

With Spring firmly in the air, I also want to spend time in our garden planting seeds and tending my vegetable plot. Our builder is imminent to make our patio safer by replacing paving slabs with concrete.  Maureen loves to be out in the fresh air and there are one or two others things that need to be done so she can bask safely in this lovely sunshine in the comfort of our garden.  I’ll be back soon after a short while on gardening leave from blogging

Dementia: A Good Result

Mixed Dementia,

Image result for A Good Result Picture

Maureen was in great form throughout our trip to Coventry yesterday.  She was at her compassionate best as we entertained both my brother and mother.

My brother and mother may not have known who we were but it was obvious they enjoyed our company.  It is such a shame that safeguarding prevents me from sharing the joy on my brothers face as we danced holding his hand as he sat in his favourite spot in the residents dining room.  Mum is certainly keeping my big brother and me safe 70 years ago in the photograph.  She was lifted so much by our antics yesterday that one staff member suggested a regular booking: hearing her sing along to Nat King Cole; fluttering her eyes to Unforgettable was heartening.

Yesterday gave me a stark reminder of Maureen’s basic needs if she ever goes into  Respite: just what my mum enjoys a Women Only  Care Home.  One thing my mum and Maureen have in common is they are both frightened of men.

On our homeward journey were both very tired but pleased with what we had achieved during our visit to Coventry.  We had even managed a late lunch with our granddaughter and her dad.

I’m not sure we will attempt a day trip again as an overnight stay would have given us an opportunity to catch up with more relatives.  That is a minor lesson from yesterday compared to reminding myself of Maureen’s fear of men!