More hot tunes on a very cold day.
A full hour of non-stop hits from the 1960s and 70s.
We had a packed room, but there was enough space for dancing.
The volunteer elves were on top form.
The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 3rd December 2024 at 1pm. Vikki will entertain for our Christmas party.
Please note: in our uploaded photos we blur the faces of all group members. You do see the faces of our wonderful volunteers.
A spooky day. We were delighted to welcome back for a visit Tina from the Kent Spiritual Teaching Group who had kindly held a fund raising event to raise money for us. Tina presented us with a wonderful £200. We are very grateful.
Mark sang some great popular songs.
The dancers were very busy as always.
The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 5th November 2024 at 1pm. Tony will lead another 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.
Julian gave us a full hour of non-stop great tunes
He swapped his keyboard for a saxophone on a couple of tunes.
We had a variety of activities including magnetic darts.
Word-searches are alway popular – as are creative crafts.
A record-equaling turnout for the year gave us a full dance floor, with a some people taking a breather.
The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 22nd October 2024 at 1pm. Marc will return for another great set of tunes.
Please note: in our uploaded photos we blur the faces of all group members. You do see the faces of our wonderful volunteers.
Tony was in top form.
He gave the group some great sing-a-long tunes.
The dancers were twisting the afternoon away.
Another big turn-out for an uplifting two hours.
Janet and I were away for a short break. Our thanks to the excellent team of volunteers for providing a memorable afternoon.
The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 8th October 2024 at 1pm. Julian will be with us for some multi-instrumental entertainment.
Please note: in our uploaded photos we blur the faces of all group members. You do see the faces of our wonderful volunteers.
Vikki gave us another great performance which was full of energy.
Her recent holiday may have helped to recharge her batteries.
We had the usual crafts, word searches etc but the more sporty types joined in with the archery and bean bag tossing.
The second highest turn-out for the year meant the dance floor was packed.
Our friends, Janice and Ollie, from the Greenwich Carers Centre came to give advice and information.
The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 24th September2024 at 1pm. Tony will be with us for a 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.
Janet’s introduction
Janet welcomed the members to the session. As the group was smaller than usual it was possible to dedicate more time to discuss a complex issue. The session ended with two readings (below).
Member updates
Behaviour
A member’s brother has been in hospital with UTI / aggressive behaviour. He has had antibiotics and meds to calm him down . She hopes the care home will have him back. He had aggressive behaviour before he went into hospital. Tatiana suggested there could be a link between the aggressive behaviour and the UTI. Janet pointed out all behaviour is a form of communication particularly when words become more difficult. Agression can be caused by a change in the dementia but not always. Sometimes it is caused as a reaction to something a person in not happy about. The people without dementia can have a huge impact on the life of someone with dementia so it is important time is taken to consider what might be the cause in a change in behaviour that might not be to do with deterioration of someone’s dementia.
The sister said the aggression was to do with his personal care. Janet asked who does his personal care and whether his preferences have been considered? The brother has male and female carers. Janet said enquiries could be made to find out whether the behaviour happened with all carers or particularly with male or female carers. It is expected a home will have male and female staff to meet personal care preferences which is a very private form of care. Tatiana suggested asking what will happen when he goes back to the home regarding the care plan and meds, and how often will this be reviewed.
The sister reported her brother hasn’t been happy in the home for some while and he can’t always vocalise. Janet suggested trying to encourage him to talk about what has been making him cross as assumptions should not be made that he would not be able to say what he was unhappy about.
Janet suggested a book ‘And still the music plays‘ to gain an insight into the world of individuals with dementia and the reasons why those subjects reacted to situations as they did. The book shows the impact people without dementia can have on those who do. She suggested seeing if the local library had a copy of the book instead of buying it.
The sister asked for ideas for Christmas. Janet suggested the puzzles we use at Reflections. She suggested the sister look at companies such as Relish (formerly known as ActiveMinds).
Being OK
A mum is ok at the moment. She’s happy in herself. She talks to people and does remember things from a long time ago that float back into her memory. The daughter has just returned from a fabulous time in Paris at the Olympic Games.
Janet read: “Kindness always wins”.
Gyda read: “The little engine”.
The next meeting will be on Monday 14th October 2024 at 7:30pm.
Another big turn out on a hot day.
Mark powered though some great tunes, encouraging everyone to sing-a-long. Everyone likes the song Enjoy Yourself and that is becoming a Mark regular.
The dance floor was very crowded with happy dancers.
Helen, Dot and Mary – our wonderful volunteers – were busy with sorting out the darts. We have a conventional set with magnetic ends and 2 sets with balls with velcro making them suitable for all abilities.
Lucia and Peter ran our first new reminiscence session. Some of us reminisced about our previous sessions of the separate Reflections Reminiscence Group.
The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 10th September 2024 at 1pm. Tony will lead another 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.
Janet’s piece
Janet gave the group some seasonal tips and revisited a model of the stages of dementia.
Hot weather tips from the Azheimer’s Society
The Gems model of the stages of dementia from Teepa Snow
Member updates
Progress
A member told us that her mum is stable and the funding for the care home has been sorted out.
A good care home
Another member said her Mum is settled in the Rosewood care home. Her mobility is better and she engages with staff. One year on there is no further decline in her dementia.
Steady state
A report back from a sister was that everything is ticking along with her brother.
Developments
A husband said his wife is in the advanced stages now. She doesn’t recognise him and struggles to get about at times. The carers supporting her are extremely good .
Gyda read: “Today’s To do list“.
The next meeting will be on Monday 9th September 2024.
More hot tunes on a very hot day.
Julian was in great form with songs from the 70s and 80s wearing his holiday shirt.
A packed room rocked to the singing and dancing of our members. The team ensured plenty of cold drinks were on hand so no-one got dehydrated. People were as keen as ever to take to the dance floor in spite of the heat.
The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 27th August 2024 at 1pm. Marc will return for another great set of tunes.
Please note: in our uploaded photos we blur the faces of all group members. You do see the faces of our wonderful volunteers.
Jamie performed his “Holiday Fiesta Show”.
A hot day, but the dancers kept dancing.
Janet and I missed the entertainment as we both had Covid caught on our short break away last week. Our excellent team ensured the group was in good hands and it was business and usual.
The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 13th August 2024 at 1pm.
Please note: in our uploaded photos we blur the faces of all group members. You do see the faces of our wonderful volunteers.
Reflections 