...ahh well, it's only an Alzheimers club ''en it''

[Rob Hutchcox]

....and so yet another Alzheimers related problem has come into force this week to test the reserve of our family, that being that Mum's Friday lunch club has been 'forced'....??? into closing due to our wonderful and beloved Social Services Dept having withdrawn their funding...no matter that mum, and a further 10 clients have formed a strong bond together, no matter that mum after four years actually looks forward to going to the club, no matter if she does get mixed up from time to time in her conversations to others, or repeats herself constantly.....the 'gang' as she refers to them as, are listened to respected and valued, and she says its sad that she will now perhaps not meet up with them again as a group...
NO, Social Services, its not, 'just' an Alzheimers club,...its a meeting place, a social gathering, a community, a bond....
but hey, I'll just adjust mum's calender and scrub out all Friday lunch club entries, and she'll forget that she ever used to go won't she....well no, she won't, because for for years thats been her life, her routine, and her pleasure.......sorry folks if I sound 'hacked off' but I am, big time, and to me, it's just another case of Alzheimers sufferers being classed as second classed citizens in the big scheme of life......
Caring Britain, yeh right......

 

[christine_batch]

Hi Rob,

It beggars belief when the people who need these Clubs are deprived of them. Stupid powers that be do not understand the benefit our loved ones receive from going, and how empty their lives will be without their Club.

Goverment gives millions for some outlandish scheme but do not put the finance where it is really needed.

I think I had better stop there otherwise I would get on a soapbox.

Best wishes
Christine

 

[Tender Face]

Oh Rob ... my mum had a Friday lunch club too ... to me it was practically 'day care' knowing a 'buddy' picked her up and took her (including checking she had locked her door, had her keys etc) .... and at first she was resistant to go .... but she ADORED it (unlike SSD day care) .... tea and toast on mid morning arrival, a cooked dinner, frequent themed days (all funded by a charity though, not SSD) ....as you say, lots of 'new friends' she didn't feel out of her depth with, activities, social stimulation ....... it would have rocked her world had it been withdrawn .....

She might not have remembered who the Prime Minister was or where she lived sometimes but somehow she always remembered it was Friday!!!!! (That importance of routine and not inflicting change, eh? I am so with you on this and understand your anger, especially for your mother).

Is there anything you can do - perhaps collectively as carers? Presumably the venue is still available? Any charities which could step in with volunteers? (Assuming they are not out of funds themselves?)

I fear we are going to hear more and more of services being withdrawn .....

Karen, x

 

[TinaT]

Scandalous isn't it! Yet MP's can continue to claim outrageous sums of money for their 'second homes'. Local Authorities continue to issue full colour, expensive leaflets and launches of this or that strategy at posh hotels with lunch provided! I went to one last week, looked around and found 90% of the people there were Local Authority workers and 10% were carers of one sort or another giving their time free!

At the same time as the above continues, your mother loses her luncheon/social club especially caring for dementia sufferers, as do the 10 other ladies who enjoy it with her. This little weekly treat most probably being the highlight of their week!

I have just heard that my LA will no longer fund any care worker working in LA Care Homes to take a course leading to level 3 QVC qualifications!

My LA recently closed a newly renovated specialist day care and respite care home!

I think we will be seeing more of these sneaky, small, easy to make savings and cuts coming our way. What can we do? Well I think each one of us who is affected by such things should write to the Head of Social Services in our area, and also to our Local MP and perhaps the local newspaper (if they still exist in your area). It would seem the only way to express our strong disapproval of cuts which seriously affect our loved ones.

I'm still not sure how my Local Authority managed to lose 5 million pounds in the recent Icelandic Bank Fiasco!!

xxTinaT

 

[sunray]

This is why you have a local member of parliament. Make an appointment if you need to, if not just go to his/her office, have a "little chat" about what it is to be a carer for someone with Alzheimers. This is not a complaint, this is a little chat ( non-threatening).

If there is time explain as much as he/she will listen to about your situation and what is is to be a carer. And explain the importance of the lunch club to your mum and the others who attend. Explain it is about quality of life, and aren't we all entitled to that?( smile sweetly). Ask what he/she can do to either ensure it continues or see that there is an alternative provided.

At our stroke support group we are told a carer's job is to look after their survivor and educate the public about the disease,I guess the same applies to those of us who also have the same survivor with dementia. So educate, educate, educate.

I hate it that we all have to fight this battle, but fight we must.

Sue.

 

[Vonny]

Hi Rob,

I'm with Sunray, but I'd throw in a bit of polite complaining as well as the chat! I emailed my PM and had a response almost immediately. Admittedly my problem was more easily solved than yours but MPs do carry some weight, although some of them carry it on their bodies through an excess of expensive lifestyles at the taxpayers' expense

It's an utter disgrace and there should be a national investigation into such closures, and steps taken to prevent this happening in all towns and cities.

If you do contact your MP, please let us know how you get on

Vonny xx

 

[Skye]

NO, Social Services, its not, 'just' an Alzheimers club,...its a meeting place, a social gathering, a community, a bond....

All of those, Rob.

Also a means of stimulation, a memory-jogger, a focus for the week, an opportunity to be part of society, instead of feeling isolated, as so many people with dementia do.........

I also think it's scandalous, and I'm afraid that LAs are going to find every opportunity to cut services in order to save money.

Definitely contact your MP, this should not be happening.

 

[connie]

Hi Rob, I am so sorry to read your post.

As others have said we have to put our voice in writing.

I have found that local councillors are often more involved in the community than the local MP. (Have to say our MP is quite good though).

It does not matter what party the local councillors represent, they seem to know the best avenues to go down. Wishing you luck.

 

[Margarita]

and so yet another Alzheimers related problem has come into force this week to test the reserve of our family, that being that Mum's Friday lunch club has been 'forced'....??? into closing due to our wonderful and beloved Social Services Dept having withdrawn their funding.

What about your local Alzheimer group centre , could it not be moved in to there one

Or is it that one that is closing down, as your Social Services Dept have withdrawn their funding?

South Warwickshire Branch

Alzheimer's Society
South Warwickshire Branch
10 Wise Street
Leamington Spa
CV31 3AP

Tel: 01926-888899

Email: southwarks@alzheimers.org.uk
Map data ©2009 Tele Atlas - Terms of Use
Services offered

*

Alzheimer's Cafe Stratford District

The Alzheimer's Cafe is an educational and social event. It follows an 11 month rolling programme. The cafe has a different theme each meeting. It generally follows the chronological course of the illness. It provides information, emotional support, social support, informal consultations, encourages peer support and the opportunity to meet with professionals in a social setting. Refreshments are available.

 

[redmini]

My mum's club is going too

Hi there,

My mum's club is being closed as well. The last meeting will take place in July. I can't believe how short notice that is. The club leader is upset and has assured me that they'll be asking the SS to find mum an alternative club. But if all state-funded clubs are going at once then I'm not so sure that it's likely.

I'm going to put out some feelers on this. Writing to the MP is a good one, and good to write to the local councillors as they're watching out for re-election. Maybe the society editor at The Guardian, too ...

redmini

 

[Vicki]

Challenging service cuts

Dear All

Just to introduce my myself, my name is Vicki Combe and I am Public Affairs Manager for Alzheimer’s Society. A big part of my job is spend talking to politicians abut the need for dementia to be a higher political priority.

I have been following the debate on Talking Point about the closure of local services that are valued by people with dementia and their carers. I would echo the advice of other users on how to challenge service closures by involving local MPs and councillors. Although Alzheimer’s Society does not currently have the resources to support local campaigns, I hope you find the suggestions below useful:

When making your case to councillors or MPs about keeping services open, things to bear in mind are:

1) What consultation has there been with people with dementia and their carers? Tell your councillor or MP if you think there has not been proper consultation on the issue among those affected by the changes. Explain what impact the closure will have on people with dementia and their carers quality of life.

2) If a service is closing, what services will be put in their place? Do you believe this is acceptable?

3)The Government has said that dementia is a national priority. You could highlight relevant recommendations in the National Dementia Strategy for England, which sets what action the Government would like to see improve services and support for people with dementia and their careers. For example, there is a recommendation around more peer support, which states that there should be more opportunities for people with dementia and their carers to offer mutual support in places such as support groups and dementia cafes. More information about the National Dementia Strategy for England can be found on our website: www.alzheimers.org.uk/campaign

I hope this gives you some food for thought. I can see that Talking Point provides is a really useful forum for exchanging advice on how to take forward local campaigns.

Finally Alzheimer’s Society has set up a Campaigners’ Network to strengthen our campaigning work. People who join up will receive an email bulletin every two months with the latest information on our campaigns and how to get involved. To find out more and to sign up please follow this link: www.alzheimers.org.uk/campaignersnetwork The next bulletin will be sent in July. However, information about all our campaigns can be found on our website: www.alzheimers.org.uk
I would urge members of Talking Point to sign up, if you haven’t done so already.


All the best

Vicki

 

[TinaT]

Wow - I'm so glad to read this thread! For a long time I've felt that here on TP the Alzhiemer Society has a wealth of information and support for campaigning. I've often wondered why we, carers and sufferers who use the site regularly have never had guidlines on how to complain. You may already have this on your factsheets and I've missed this. If so I'm sorry but I very rarely use the fact sheets section.

We are the 'grass roots' of dementia care and I know that any of us who have the time and energy available will willingly campaign.

I wish this thread could be made a 'sticky'. When we come across bad practice or cuts in service, it would be so helpful to have advice on the best way to go about complaining, especially if you are already worn down with the caring role and maybe lacking confidence in your ability to put your case properly.

I hope that The AZ Society can make some use of me in local/national issues to help the society in its campaigning role.

xxTinaT

 

[Starshine]

So Impressed

Wow TP does it again, I am always so awestruck to hear what a clever clever crowd we have here on TP, was sad reading all the posts on closures, but the reply from Vicki was so impressive, you lot keep going I will be interested to see how you all get on, we should truly bombard our local MP's This is important for the sufferers and the family, and so very important. Keep shouting all loud and clear, I will def be joining you.
A thought tho, couldn't you the groups continue to meet at each others homes, perhaps smaller groups I know, and perhaps would not work as well, but social mixing is crucial, think thats were my Mum deteriorated so fast.
Starshine x

 

[Margaret W]

Well Rob, I'd ignore the advice to pleasantly inform your MP, and I'd go guns-a-blazing to him or her at the next surgery, I'd write a letter to the local paper, and contact your County Councillor (probably responsible for such services). I'd ask questions such as how much they spend on Public Relations, and how much your mum's Friday get-together costs as a proportion of that. IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE for cuts to be made in such vital services for the vulnerable that can only amount to peanuts in saving and rob previous taxpayers of their mainstay in life.

Something you can all be asking of your candidates in the forthcoming elections on June 4th. I don't like bringing politics into a forum such as this, but it is perhaps an opportune moment for Rob to make a stance with his local candidates.

"Only and Alzheimers group" did someone say? It makes my blood boil. Off to write a letter to the local paper!

Rob, sorry to spout off, I hope something is done to salvage your mum's only social contact that has brought her so much pleasure.

Love

Margaret