A full-on 50s and 60s sing and dance-a-thon.
Julian rocked the room.
All the group seemed to know the words to all the songs – Julian hit the mark.
It’s good to see so many dancing.
The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 23rd April 2024 at 1pm. Julian will entertain us with some more 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.
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.
Janet read: “Focus on the Controllables”:
Gyda read: “Waiting”:
The next meeting will be on Monday 13th May 2024.
We had another big turnout for a very popular entertainer.
Audience participation was encouraged.
The group enjoyed the variety of puzzles.
Singing, dancing and having fun was the order of the day.
The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 9th April 2024 at 1pm. Julian will entertain us with some more 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.
performed his Swinging 60’s show. Jamie produced a variety of outfits to surprise and delight the group.
Games and crafts were popular.
Once again the dance floor was packed.
The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 26th March 2024 at 1pm. Mark will entertain us with his singing.
Please note: in our uploaded photos we blur the faces of all group members. You do see the faces of our wonderful volunteers.
Janet presented a piece on Wendy Mitchell’s recent death.
Wendy decided to end her own life. She discussed her reasons on her website: “My Final Hug in a Mug“.
Member updates
Family difficulties
A mum has had dementia for seven years. During her daughter’s own cancer treatment she was looking after her mum as well. While the daughter was at a vulnerable time her brother and sister took over caring for mum and cut her out. She doesn’t know why they are being like that. The sister is overturning mum’s decisions. She has put cameras in mum’s house – even in the bedroom. Mum lives in her own flat and her brother and sister go round for meds. Her sister has Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA).
The daughter had spoken to the Social Worker but did not feel her concerns were addressed. Janet recommended asking for a best interest meeting. Tatiana said Social Services have not addressed the daughter’s questions (manipulation, safeguarding) and recommended emailing them saying she is not satisfied and to set out all her concerns.
She needs to tell social services about the cameras (invasion of privacy) and how mum used to be. Also to say that she has less interaction and outline briefly what has happened and the effect it’s having on her. Tatiana – also reiterated safeguarding and highlighting the cameras.
Peace of Mind
Another mum is more settled in her care home home. After a hospital eye appointment mum was able to settle back in quicker. It’s a lovely home. The staff are hardworking and caring which gives the daughter confidence. She was confident enough to have a holiday in Italy.
Council Funding
A mum has had another assessment. Finally someone came from the financial team and recommended that they have funding from the council. Her mum is stable and happy. The daughter said thank you for the advice last time, it was very helpful.
Keeping in Touch
A brother living abroad is is ok. Some weeks they only have short conversations but he still knows who his sister is. She isn’t always able to speak to staff in depth due to the time. Guardianship is all arranged. Someone takes her brother out weekly. He’s not so happy going to crowded places now.
Gyda read: “The Good Feelings”:
The next meeting will be on Monday 8th April 2024.
Vikki was back with a great set of tunes from our favourite decades. She is keen to mingle with group members and occasionally gets them to join her singing on the microphone.
As one our our most popular singers, we are so pleased that she is back with us on a regular basis.
Another big turn-out of members filled our rooms and Emma’s pantry – the Shrewsberry House cafe.
It is such a joy that we have so many keen dancers.
Our friend in yellow at the back was resting today – joining the dancing next time (or so he says).
The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 12th March 2024 at 1pm. Jamie will entertain us with his singing and wide selection of costumes.
Please note: in our uploaded photos we blur the faces of all group members. You do see the faces of our wonderful volunteers.
A sing-a-long afternoon.
Tony performed some of the top tunes of the 50s, 60s and 70s..
The wordsearches are always a popular pastime.
A very good turn-out gave us a packed dance floor.
The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 27th February 2024 at 1pm. Vicky will entertain us with some more 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.
Our biggest turnout since Covid.
Julian gave us another powerful performance.
Gyda’s craft session was a bit more of a challenge today, but we had great results.
Natasha, the Admiral Nurse and Carmen from the Greenwich Carers Centre.
Dancing the afternoon away.
As usual Helen was in charge of the Reflection’s library.
The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 13th February 2024 at 1pm. Tony will entertain us with his sing-a-long.
Please note: in our uploaded photos we blur the faces of all group members. You do see the faces of our wonderful volunteers.
The man of many outfits came to entertain us.
Jamie had new tights for the new year.
A big turn-out still allowed everyone to dance.
Jamie had his usual wide variety of costume changes – a welcome splash of colour on a dull day.
The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 30th January 2024 at 1pm. Julian will entertain us with some more 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.
Janet’s information piece
A summary of some recent research and advice:
Member updates
Resilience courses
A group member said she is interested in more Resilience courses as she really got a lot from the last one we hosted last year from Time to Talk and found it really useful.
Multiple illnesses
A brother told the group that his sister has advanced cancer, which has spread. He and his wife wanted her to enjoy the life she had left especially as her dementia is progressing. However, she was subsequently persuaded to have chemotherapy by another sister. As a result, he has passed the caring responsibility to the sister. His sister with dementia is already not regularly taking her dementia medication and he doesn’t think the sister taking on caring duties really understands dementia. Janet said she hopes his carer sister is keeping a record of how the chemotherapy is affecting his sister as this will be discussed at reviews for adjusting the chemo doses if necessary. Maybe contact the dementia nurse at the hospital to see if they can offer any support. Janet asked about Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) for health – no one has this.
Falling
A wife had a nasty fall last week. She fell in the hall and hurt her nose, she is bruised. She’s not in a good place at the moment. He is investigating stair lifts. His wife is very tactile, she likes to touch the floor and that’s probably how she fell. She’s breathing ok. Her main activity seems to be spending time in the hall. All very odd!
Care Home success
A daughter said things are all pretty good at the moment. They tried to reduce her mum’s meds, but it didn’t work. It was put back up again. They enjoyed Christmas at the care home. They all got a present. It was lovely and they had a nice time. There was a New Years Eve party too. Her mum is ok and gets involved in some of the activities, so it’s all worked out well. The financial revue has not been not done yet. Tatiana suggested that the daughter could email them again as there has been a holiday / lack of resources / priorities and as long as you’ve contacted them they will get in touch. It is important to have something in writing to evidence you have made contact. Janet recommended speaking to the care home manager about it. All her family have recently completed LPA’s.
Tatiana said that Independent Age, a charity for older people has information on funding care. Their guides can be found here (the one titled “Paying care home fees in England and Wales” was recommended for this carer’s needs). They also have a Helpline.
Another daughter took her mum to the Brands Hatch hotel to see old friends of her husband. Her mum had a great time, she knew all the people and they made a great fuss of her. Christmas Day was also good with Mum visiting the daughter’s home for the day. Sometimes the daughter questions if she has done the right thing putting her mum in a care home – but she knows she has. The home is brilliant – it’s the making of the decision that’s hard.
Gyda read: “This very instant”:
The next meeting will be on Monday 5th February 2024.
Reflections 