Hello, does anyone happen to know if the Dementia Champions training involves explaining how the family members may be feeling and what support might be appropriate to offer them?
Dad is currently in the late stages of his dementia and I’m finding it a difficult time. It’s a stressful waiting game which could go on for a very long time or could be over tomorrow. After having a rant on a forum at work as I don’t get a lunch break and I need time to mentally reset rather than slogging away for 8 hours a day non stop, my boss told me I didn’t need to do that as she knew all about dementia and I should’ve gone to her for help (I already had on multiple occasions). She proudly proceeded to tell me the bookcase analogy about Alzheimer’s which I dutifully listened to and then said ‘Dad doesn’t have Alzheimer’s, he has a different type of dementia which has completely different symptoms’. I explained I was grieving for someone who is still alive and I realised she had no concept of what I’m feeling. I think all employers should be made aware of the difficulties a family can face when they have a loved one with dementia. I want to be at work but they don’t seem able or willing to give me the support I need. Has anyone else found this to be an issue? If so, how was it resolved?
Dad is currently in the late stages of his dementia and I’m finding it a difficult time. It’s a stressful waiting game which could go on for a very long time or could be over tomorrow. After having a rant on a forum at work as I don’t get a lunch break and I need time to mentally reset rather than slogging away for 8 hours a day non stop, my boss told me I didn’t need to do that as she knew all about dementia and I should’ve gone to her for help (I already had on multiple occasions). She proudly proceeded to tell me the bookcase analogy about Alzheimer’s which I dutifully listened to and then said ‘Dad doesn’t have Alzheimer’s, he has a different type of dementia which has completely different symptoms’. I explained I was grieving for someone who is still alive and I realised she had no concept of what I’m feeling. I think all employers should be made aware of the difficulties a family can face when they have a loved one with dementia. I want to be at work but they don’t seem able or willing to give me the support I need. Has anyone else found this to be an issue? If so, how was it resolved?