health – Reflections

Mark Sedgwick – 10th June 2025

June 18, 2025 by Peter, posted in Friends Group

Two sessions in a row from our ever popular crooner.

Mark saves the day! He stepped-in at the last moment, when our booked entertainer was unwell.

Group members continue to show how creative they are under the guidance of Dave.

Everyone enjoyed the singing and dancing in the second hour.

We thank all our wonderful volunteers this Volunteers week: Dot, Lynne, Pearl, Dave, Janet, Helen, Tony, Lucia, Gyda and Ann. Mary, Marilyn and Peter missed this session, but we thank them too. (Mark photobombed the photo).

Team member highlight

Introducing Pearl, our health and safety lead. Pearl is responsible for checking in people into our register, so we have a record of people at the sessions. This is essential in case of a fire and for our statistics.

The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 24th June 2025 at 1pm. Julian will 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.

Mark Sedgwick – 27th May 2025

June 9, 2025June 11, 2025 by Peter, posted in Friends Group

Mark warmed up the group on a rainy day.

We all sang along to some great tunes.

Searching out the missing letters to make a name badge is always a challenging though fun activity. The badges help us to know who we all are.

Today, we were delighted to welcome back Professor Andrew with his colleague Gill from the University of Greenwich. As part of the Institute for Lifecourse Development’s overseas work, they brought along Purity who is setting up a dementia group in Kenya and is interested in comparing how people in the UK with dementia are treated compared to Kenya. It was a chance for us to showcase to Purity the work we do and share ideas. She enjoyed her visit and told us at the end what a joyous atmosphere could be felt at the group.

After their visit we were so pleased to receive an email from Andrew with the following comment “Thank you so much for inviting us to Reflections this week and making us feel so welcome. It was lovely to visit again, catch up with people, and see the fantastic activities, friendships and support you and the volunteers continue to facilitate. Reflections is such a vital way of ensuring people impacted by dementia – including care partners and family members – can remain connected and engaged.”

We do what we do to make a difference to the lives of people living in Greenwich with dementia and their family. To receive such a comment like this from a professional is a wonderful bonus. Thank you Andrew.

A big turn-out gave us a packed dance floor. More fun and enjoyment in 2 weeks time.

The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 10th June 2025 at 1pm. Jamie will be hosting his Best of British Show.

Please note: in our uploaded photos we blur the faces of all group members. You do see the faces of our wonderful volunteers.

Carers Group: 8/4/24

April 22, 2024 by Peter, posted in Carers Group

Janet’s information pieces:

‘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.