Janet introduced a discussion on the Channel 4 programme “The Piano”. Amateur pianists are filmed playing at railway stations around the country and the pick of the bunch appear in concert at a major venue. One of the final group was a gentleman who has dementia and had written a piece for his wife. You can watch all episodes here.
Member updates
Eating slowly
A member’s wife is eating her meals very slowly. Her husband spoke to their consultant. She asked if the “slow eating” takes over an hour, it doesn’t, so the consultant did not consider this particularly slow. The husband said meals were now almost drifting into the next one. Generally he feels his wife is relatively stable, but he has looked back on his notes and they show a clear decline. Janet recommended keeping notes to ensure you have a clear record of what has happened, medications etc. The husband told the group he was off for a holiday, but that trips away were becoming more difficult given his wife’s situation.
Sleeping much of the time
A mum in a care home is regularly sleeping for 20/30 minutes, then she gets up and looks for something to eat. The care home have placed a motions sensor mat by her bed to indicate when she gets up at night. This behaviour is not causing problems, but mum has put on weight. The home is having issues recruiting permanent staff and regularly uses agency people. The seem to be carefully managing the staff – for example: only regular staff deal with personal care. There are activities in the home, such as singers and films. Mum likes the music, but after a while she will tend to return to her room and have a nap.
Mum usually does not recognise her daughter and has asked her if she is the person who has come to repair the TV. The daughter finds some of these meetings amusing, she tries to be positive.
The daughter has finally (after five months) sorted out the council’s funding. She took Tatiana’s advice to put everything in writing (mostly in emails). The council has a variety of interested teams, none of which seem to have enough staff.
Australia update
The carer, with her brother living in Australia, said she was very grateful for the support her brother gets from the care home and a friend there. His communication had improved recently, the sister assumes there has been a change in his medication. Tatiana reminded the sister that the care home should hold regular reviews with her – she should ask about the home’s procedures. The home arranges activities, but he is now mainly interested in the trips out on Fridays. The sister does not know his schedule beyond this. Meeting virtually on Sundays, rather than Fridays, ensures he is not too tired to talk. She is reassured that he seems to have made friends in the home.
Janet read: “The difference between a positive and negative person” (from Mindset is your Super Power – Allistair McCaw):
This week is Volunteers Week and we were very keen to thank our wonderful volunteers for their work over the last year. Thanks to: Gyda, Ann, Tony, Lucia, Helen, Marilyn, Pearl, Dot and Janet. David and Mary missed the photo opportunity.
The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 18th June 2024 at 1pm. Julian will present another multi-instrumantal set.
Please note: in our uploaded photos we blur the faces of all group members. You do see the faces of our wonderful volunteers.
The “Whip Crack-away Show” gave us some top country tunes.
Jamie had a lucky 13 costume changes.
Yet more wordsearches, with a selection of colouring pencils.
This tune was…
Students Zou, Alice & Sho, part of a team from University College London working on a virtual reality project based on Alzheimer’s disease, who we met at the Dementia Forum on 17th May, came along for a visit to find out more about what we do and talk to group members.
The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 4th June 2024 at 1pm. Mark will give us some great tunes.
Please note: in our uploaded photos we blur the faces of all group members. You do see the faces of our wonderful volunteers.
Today we had another selection of great tunes, sung by the delightful Vikki.
Vikki danced around the room, encouraging everyone to join in. You can hear more of Vikki here.
It was good to see a budding artist at work.
We enjoyed a full hour of singing and dancing. As usual, the dance floor was busy.
Thank you to Caroline, ASDA Charlton Community Life Champion, and ASDA for the drinks, biscuits and cups. Caroline and Charlton ASDA have supported Reflections over the years and we appreciate and are grateful for their continuing support.
The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 21st May 2024 at 1pm. Jamie will entertain us with his “Whip Crack Away” show.
Please note: in our uploaded photos we blur the faces of all group members. You do see the faces of our wonderful volunteers.
Tony sang an up-beat selection of hits from the 50s, 60s and 70s.
We were not too sure what the red thingamyjig was.
David is always keen to help and guide the clay modellers. Our new lady, in red, was pleased to be painting again after several years.
Wordsearches are always in demand.
A slightly lower turn-out today, though still a packed room and nearly everyone was dancing at some point.
We were pleased to welcome Professor Andrew Clark, from the University of Greenwich. He is researching dementia friendly communities, so came along to find out more about our group and why it is so popular.
Sadly we said goodbye to Emma from Emma’s Cafe. She is moving to Age Exchange in Blackheath to manage their cafe. We wish her well and look forward to the new cafe service next time we are there.
The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 7th May 2024 at 1pm. Vikki will entertain us with some more great songs.
Please note: in our uploaded photos we blur the faces of all group members. You do see the faces of our wonderful volunteers.
‘Time to Talk‘ have asked if the group want another session. Janet will contact members.
Janet told the group about the Dementia Platform UK (DPUK). They have secured over £4 million to find effective blood biomarkers for dementia. This work could bring early diagnostic blood tests a step closer. Find out more here. To register your interest they are looking for people to sign up (looking at proteins in the brain)
Member updates
Admiral Nurses
A member had information about Admiral Nurses. Nationally there is a help line and a virtual clinic that people can self refer to. More information on their website here. Locally there are now Admiral nurses working as part of the Oxleas team. They will get involved with people with challenging dementia behaviour and more complicated issues. Referrals are via BLG Mind and the Carers Centre if certain criteria are met. Please do contact these organisations if you are struggling with aspects of dementia behaviour.
Her mum has had a UTI and her daughter was advised that she should go to hospital. The daughter had to consider what her mum would want her to do. Tatiana said that the daughter had taken advice from professionals and that her mum going into hospital would have increased her confusion.
Busy Care Homes
Another member said that three care homes in Bexleyheath are full and have waiting lists. Her mum had a raspy chest, which came on suddenly and the doctor wanted her to go into hospital, but the daughter thought about what had happed before and did not want her to go into hospital so her Mum had oral antibiotics instead with a regular review. Although mum is not fully better, she is quite happy, snappy with her daughter and well enough to be grumpy! Janet said that she was still making decisions and caring. She makes the best decision with the information she is given. The daughter was concerned as to whether she made the right decision. Tatiana pointed out the professionals can overrule the daughter’s decision, if they strongly believe they need to get a person to hospital.
Falls
A dad had a fall in the middle of the night which resulted him being in hospital for two weeks. He was discharged before Christmas, but he can no longer walk on his own and needs people to help him. He has a special bed and other aids, but he has deteriorated. He has physio, who gave him specific things to do, and the carers walk him up and down. Janet explained about the importance of leg strength and gave two Friendship Group members as an example. She also mentioned the sit to stand routine from her online trainer. The dad can be happy and sometimes not. It is an emotional time and it takes its toll.
An interesting read
A member said she is reading Wendy Mitchell’s last book One Last Thing: How to live with the end in mind and is inspired by it. You may see some comments about the book on the Azheimer’s Society website here.
Reflections 