Due to the extra Tuesday this year we held a second and final session of the year.
Eleanor from Eleanor Music services came along for a visit and Mark invited Eleanore for a duet. Very good it was too.
It would not be a group meeting without word searches in the first hour.
We thanked Tina, from the Kent Spiritualist Teaching Group and The Pearly Queen of Greenwich for their financial support which funded our Christmas party last time.
We danced and sang the afternoon away.
Our thanks to the Shrewsbury House team, particularly Sonia and Darren, for all their help over the year. Thanks too to the excellent cafe team and all our volunteers, without whom we couldn’t run the group.
The Reflections Friendship Group is next at Shrewsbury House on 7th January 2025 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 informed the members that the Carers Support Group will end with the session in January. The decision was not taken lightly. However, there are now more dementia services available than when the group was set up, numbers at each session are declining and with the cost of zoom membership rising, it is no longer cost effective to run it.
Member updates
Care home experiences
A husband is looking forward to going on holiday. His wife is physically healthy but is in a gradual decline. The stairs continue to be a concern especially for the carer. She spends a lot of time resting and sleeping but she is content. Janet said his wife is doing well considering how long she has had dementia. She eats well but very slowly and meals merge into each other.The husband doesn’t want to think of the next stage.
A sister caring long distance said her brother has now been moved to a different hospital. She spoke to him recently and he spoke to her quite clearly. As he has lost a lot of weight he is now having physio. He also now has a social worker. The hospital seems better so far. She can speak to him more easily and things are moving forward.
She asked for suggestions for things to send him for his birthday and Christmas which are come up. The group suggested: music, photos, pictures of familiar things, picture prompts eg sports, pets, cultural things
Janet said she could do reminisce things and set up a scrap book of things from his life.
Tatiana suggested for the scapbook things he used to enjoy such as music bands and groups. With regard to her brother’s care she suggested the sister ask the hospital what are the long term plans? Also to ask to speak to the social worker about any worries.
A Mum has been in her care home 18 months now. The daughter feels her Mum is actively more with it. Her anxiety is less than it was when she was at home. Now she has less to worry about she is calmer which gives her the capacity to remember more. Everything was traumatic when she was at home and now she has a team of people looking after her. She plays cards which she has never done before. She does get confused if the daughter takes her out of the home.
Another member said her mum is ok. She has had a bit of a decline. She now walks with a walker and is incontinent. She spent a lot of time sleeping and is not very often in the present. The daughter said she doesn’t know who I am all of the time. It was a hard decision to make to arrange for her Mum to into a care home but Mum is now in a happy place. She’s not stressed and no longer has no anxiety.
Janet said for each family you have to find your own way putting the person with dementia at the the centre of it all.
A sister raised concerns about her brother who is in hospital where he lives abroad. He has had an infection/ virus which was then diagnosed as pneumonia. She is anxious because her mum had dementia and got pneumonia and died. There are increased difficulties in finding out what is going on due to the time difference.
Janet suggested she speak to the hospital to ask if there’s a convenient time to call the hospital to speak to someone who is looking after her brother. As next of kin she should be kept updated.
His mental condition has gone down over the past few weeks. The brother is going to need to be reassessed as the care home say they don’t have the resources to help him. The sister is worried that a family member will not be consulted.
Tatiana suggested she find out who will be doing the assessment so she can ask to me involved.
Janet added if she was not able to call to send an email to make them aware you call all the time. and want to be involved. Maybe ask for a zoom call so you can see the person face to face. It is important to let them know you are worried as he went in with one thing and now has something else.
A daughter reported her Mum can now walk with a frame. She’s eating well and her dementia level is ok. It’s amazing what they have done with her in the care home. It’s encouraging to know the care is right for her mum. The daughter went on to explain the circumstances which led her to this care home. Her mum will be 93 on Monday. The home is Rosewood care home, Bean Road , Greenhithe, owned by Charing Health LTD
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 19th November 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.
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.
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.
Reflections 