Day Centre Dilema

VijayJ

Registered User
Jan 27, 2015
7
0
Leicester
My mum suffers from dementia and due to family work commitments has been attending day centres during the working week as follows:
Mon/Tues/Wed - goes to Age-UK Centre
Thurs/Fri - goes to specialist dementia centre

For some time now I have been noticing that there is no stimulation for mum at the Age-UK centre but they provide her a nice hearty meal at lunch-time catered for her requirements (Indian origin). Reports I get back is that she doesn't participate with activities and normally sits by herself. But she is happy to go and doesn't complain about the centre and the only thing she remembers is the food aspect.

When she goes to the other centre, they provide stimulation and plenty of activities. She seems happy enough there and participates well with everyone. Her one issue is the food that is provided - no Indian food. This issue plays on her moods a lot and she gives the taxi drivers a hard time when they come to pick her up on Thurs/Fri mornings but they are a great bunch of drivers and take it with a pinch of salt.

I have been thinking recently to increase the number of days at the specialist centre and decrease them at the Age-UK centre as she gets the required help and stimulation required for a person with dementia.
BUT part of my family are advising me not to change as she is happy but I feel that she needs to be around people who understand the illness she has. Also, we could sort out food via tiffin by arranging with local.

My feelings are that I'm doomed if I do change and I'm doomed if I don't.

Any suggestions on this.
 

Soobee

Registered User
Aug 22, 2009
2,731
0
South
I would make sure the food she likes is somehow provided (even if it means packed lunch that you make) at the specialist place.

See how it goes for 3 months, and if it makes any difference to her well-being overall. You could increase to one more day at the specialist place then. It is good that she has the choice of places to go and I think as she enjoys the lunch at the other one, that is important to her and she should still attend it once or twice a week.
 

Beate

Registered User
May 21, 2014
12,179
0
London
The question is what is easier to achieve - a change in food or in staff attitudes? I would say food but I'd still speak to the Age UK place and say that she is participating in activities at the other place and that it's not good enough to simply leave her to her own devices.
 

henfenywfach

Registered User
May 23, 2013
332
0
rct
Hazel that brought a smile:)


Step...

Hi vijayj

I wouldve thought that day centres would have policies for cultural needs...just as vegetarian and vegan and alergies..especially as the activities please..shame for it to spoil the fact your loved ones happy there...i would imagine they ll be accomodating ....you might prefer to send food in ..but i would expect them.to cater for my fathers needs if he went there....

What i would say with regards to activities etc different sessions..even age uk have some dementia experience...maybe have a chat with them...it might be there arent many with dementia there...or a reason they do what they do.
I can see what your saying about the group thats more relevant...only you would know if it would be unsettling...to someone with dementia..

Best wishes

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Talking Point mobile app
 

VijayJ

Registered User
Jan 27, 2015
7
0
Leicester
I would make sure the food she likes is somehow provided (even if it means packed lunch that you make) at the specialist place.

See how it goes for 3 months, and if it makes any difference to her well-being overall. You could increase to one more day at the specialist place then. It is good that she has the choice of places to go and I think as she enjoys the lunch at the other one, that is important to her and she should still attend it once or twice a week.

Thank you for your advise Soobee........we are thinking of organising a pack-up tiffin for mum from next week to see how she gets on. Fingers crossed.
 

VijayJ

Registered User
Jan 27, 2015
7
0
Leicester
Hi vijayj

I wouldve thought that day centres would have policies for cultural needs...just as vegetarian and vegan and alergies..especially as the activities please..shame for it to spoil the fact your loved ones happy there...i would imagine they ll be accomodating ....you might prefer to send food in ..but i would expect them.to cater for my fathers needs if he went there....

What i would say with regards to activities etc different sessions..even age uk have some dementia experience...maybe have a chat with them...it might be there arent many with dementia there...or a reason they do what they do.
I can see what your saying about the group thats more relevant...only you would know if it would be unsettling...to someone with dementia..

Best wishes

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Talking Point mobile app

Thanks for the advise....we are looking at carrying out spot-checks at each of the centres over the coming weeks to see what activities they are doing with mum. Also, have requested weekly reports as to what mum gets up to during her time there.
 

VijayJ

Registered User
Jan 27, 2015
7
0
Leicester
The question is what is easier to achieve - a change in food or in staff attitudes? I would say food but I'd still speak to the Age UK place and say that she is participating in activities at the other place and that it's not good enough to simply leave her to her own devices.

Thanks for your response.....we are looking to carry out spot checks at each of the centres at various times just to see what they are doing with mum.