Mark on top form with Dot one of team who has been with us since we started.
Great tunes.
The dancers were enjoying themselves.
The elves made their annual appearance to check if everyone had been good ahead of the Christmas party next time.
The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 5th December at 1pm. Vikki returns for some festive fun.
Please note: in our uploaded photos we blur the faces of all group members. You do see the faces of our wonderful volunteers.
Another great sing-a-long with Tony.
Tony has been with us from the start of Reflections and we are always pleased to see him.
The dancers were in top form.
It looks a little bit like the Christmas illuminations are on their way.
Carmen came from the Carers Centre, offering advice and a little dancing.
The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 21st November at 1pm. Mark will be back to entertain us with some swing tunes and others.
Please note: in our uploaded photos we blur the faces of all group members. You do see the faces of our wonderful volunteers.
A powerful performance from our favourite multi-instrumentalist.
Julian sang some crowd pleasing, floor-filling favourites.
Today we also welcomed Julie, an Older Adults fitness coach who talked to the group about the importance of keeping strong as we age so we can remain independent.
The Halloween Team: Janet, David and Pearl.
Janice came from the Carers Centre, offering advance and a little dancing.
The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 7th November at 1pm. Tony will be back to entertain us with some of his top tunes.
Please note: in our uploaded photos we blur the faces of all group members. You do see the faces of our wonderful volunteers.
Janet’s information piece
Alzheimer’s Society have a comprehensive list of downloadable factsheets and publications about dementia. (see the list here).
Janet has attended a course on resilience from Greenwich Time to Talk (website here)
Janet offered to arrange an online course with Time to Talk for carers in November. The options are: “Resilience” or “Challenging Times”. Reflections members will have the chance to express their interest and vote for the one they would like.
Gyda information piece
WALX – Fun and friendly walking with poles, designed for rehabilitation at an easy pace with plenty of stops.
Where: The English Garden, Danson Park, Bexleyheath, meeting in the car park.
When: Mondays 11.15am-12.15pm and Wednesdays 10.00am-11.00am
More information here
Member updates
Care homes
A mum is doing well in their care home. She went out with a group to a pub but unfortunately it did not go well as her Mum kept wanting to go home (a disaster!!) – but at least the daughter tried.
There was an investigation into the care provided by the mum’s previous care home. There was no feedback and the daughter raised a formal complaint. The care home upheld the complaint. Tatiana asked if the police were informed and what course of action they took. The Queen Elizabeth Hospital listened to the daughter’s complaint about their care and apologised. The daughter now has a chain of command of who to complain to. She is going to go back to the Safeguarding Team to find out how her mum sustained the injury.
Improvement
Another mum in a care home is moving from a nursing care floor to the dementia floor, as she has improved. She made her way out of the home early one morning undetected. Thankfully, she was found by someone coming in. She didn’t remember anything about it. All was ok. She has got more active. It’s a very good care home. Safeguarding was done.
Reflections is worldwide
A brother in Australia (yes, Australia) goes out once a week with a carer. They talk every week. He is lucid some weeks and others not. It’s his birthday in 6 weeks and the sister asked for suggestions. The group came up with car books/manuals, as he was very keen on cars.
Making memories
A mum doesn’t go out anymore and the son does not get out much. Her communication has gone now but sometimes he gets a surprise. “Every so often you are reminded that they are still in there”. The son has 3 respite hours on Wednesday He takes every day as it comes. He is building memories with his mum.
Gyda read: “More lemons”:
The next meeting will be on 13th November 2023.
Today we had the – Legends and Icons Show and very good it was too.
Jamie dressed his best to entertain a record turnout for the group.
We had plenty of wordsearchers and quizzers.
Dancing and singing the afternoon away.
Carmen came from the Carers Centre, offering advance and practicing her dance moves.
The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 24th October at 1pm. Julian will be back to entertain us.
Please note: in our uploaded photos we blur the faces of all group members. You do see the faces of our wonderful volunteers.
A fun packed performance today, with lots of audience participation.
Mark was fired-up and looking good following his holiday in the sunshine.
Autumn may have arrived, but we still have some fancy blooms.
Mark had everyone singing and dancing right up to our close at 3pm. He is a very popular chap.
The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 10th October at 1pm. More entertainment and fun.
Please note: in our uploaded photos we blur the faces of all group members. You do see the faces of our wonderful volunteers.
We enjoyed a non-stop 60s medley of great tunes.
Tony got people on their feet from the start.
In the first hour some group members were seen deep in concentration.
Helen has set up the Reflections’ Library so that members can borrow books and pick up useful information.
We have a broad range of dementia related reading suitable for carers and people with dementia.
In the second hour Tony fired-up everyone in the room.
A lovely afternoon of entertainment and fun. We were pleased to welcome back Caroline, our local Asda Community Life champion. It is always a pleasure to have her come along and she brought some cakes and stationery items for the group. Thank you Caroline and Asda.
The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 26th September at 1pm. Mark will be back to entertain us with some swing tunes and others.
Please note: in our uploaded photos we blur the faces of all group members. You do see the faces of our wonderful volunteers.
Janet’s information piece
The Azheimer’s SocietyDementia Talking Point will change its name to Dementia Support Forum from 3rd October.
“Dementia Talking Point is a helpful online community where anyone who is affected by dementia can receive valuable support. It’s free, open day or night, and can be accessed online.” Read more here.
Member updates
Another good care home
A mum has been in a home for 3 months now. She has been given a drug to stop hallucinations, wandering etc. There is Covid in the home. Visits are allowed but they have to wear masks again. Mum is good in herself. She has been on days out (Brighton, Greenwich Park) and is having manicures). Mum is eating and drinking ok and has put on weight. She is being encouraged to walk with her frame. Her daughter is feeling much better. She visits mum 2/3 times a week and has been on holiday too.
The Safeguarding Team came to see mum to do a DOLS ( Deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding) assessment. Tatiana explained about safeguarding and what the assessment meant. The assessment went well with her Mum telling the assessor she liked it in the home. The NICE safeguarding guidance is here.
Care home Covid guidance
Janet advised group members to look at Current Covid guidelines for care homes. The guidance states: “… there should not be any restrictions on visits out for individuals who are not symptomatic or who have not tested positive in any circumstance.” See more here.
Contentment
A husband said his wife is physically ok and quite content. She does have phases of agitation. She was experiencing difficulty going upstairs, but seems to have come through that and now it’s coming down that is more of a challenge. In the last 8 months there has been a gradual decline. Donna, the Advanced Dementia Nurse, came once. She did say she would return but has yet to do so. The husband felt it hadn’t been necessary to see her and said he would contact her if he felt he needed to. He has a live in carer when he goes on holiday and someone from Volcare on Fridays so he gets a regular break. He said they have had a few volunteers from them over the years and they have all been good.
Weight loss
A wife has put her husband on a special milkshake 3 times a day as he has lost 10 percent of his body weight. She has decisions to make regarding his future care. She doesn’t want to put him in a nursing home though feels he may need to go into a hospice due to his other health issues. Tatiana recommended asking for the criteria and eligibility for a hospice and medical professional advice. She also suggested the wife should look at nursing home options and go and visit them. Janet recommended contacting Donna Godfrey, the Advanced dementia Nurse Start for advice and start investigating now – ask questions and options and what she would like to do.
The wife has concerns about her husband falling out of bed. Another member suggested a bolster. He will send a link for the one he got from Amazon. Tatiana suggested she should also contact social services, as they could make recommendations.
Gyda read: “When life gives you lemons make lemonade”:
The next meeting will be on 16th October 2023.
We enjoyed a non-stop 60s medley of great tunes.
Julian was on top form and (nearly) everyone was dancing from the start.
Before the entertainment we had crafts and a cuppa.
We were very pleased to kindly have donated 4 top quality jigsaw puzzles (we have still to complete the other two).
A full hour of dancing – where do they get the energy?
The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 12th September at 1pm. Tony will be back with some top tunes to entertain us.
Please note: in our uploaded photos we blur the faces of all group members. You do see the faces of our wonderful volunteers.
The Seaside Special Show
An explosive set from our master of the quick change.
The “explosions” were due to an electrical fault before the show, causing sparks to fly and equipment to fail. Everyone was safe and a solution was found – the show went ahead.
Gyda’s crafts were popular today. The colourful creations were quick and fun to make.
Every Friendship Group includes dancing and singing.
Jamie’s exotic characters added to the fun.
The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 29th August at 1pm. Julian will be back with some hot tunes to entertain us.
Please note: in our uploaded photos we blur the faces of all group members. You do see the faces of our wonderful volunteers.
Reflections 