Memory Cafe Guest Speakers - ideas please

[DemAC]

Hello everyone.

I work in a dementia specialist care home. Part of my job involves supporting the relatives of our residents.

I currently run a monthly memory café, which involves a guest speaker covering a variety of topics that helps to support our resident's spouse, partner, children and friends.

I have exhausted my list of contacts and ideas and I am looking for new avenues. To give you an idea, I have run the following sessions:

- Admiral nurse (x2 sessions) to signpost to local services and internal support in the home
- dementia medical details talk from specialist nurse, exploring different types, what happens to the brain, how it affects you etc
- dementia friends workshop run by Alzheimer's society
- legal matters talk with local solicitors and funeral directors e.g. funeral plans, powers of attorney, next of kin, wills etc
- Carers UK support group sharing experiences and 'getting it off your chest'.

I am looking for some new ideas - what would you like to see if you attended a memory café?

thank you

 

[jaymor]

We had a SW twice at one of our Alzheimers society meetings. One was a talk about direct payments and how respite was paid for and the other was about the continence clinic and obtaining pads. Both were extremely useful for carers who were still caring at home so not sure they would be so useful for relatives of people already in care.

You are doing a great job and a pity more homes are not doing the same.

Oh sorry, welcome to Talking Point.

 

[CeliaW]

How about a session about Talking Point and that it is for both those with a dementia diagnosis and their carers / families?

 

[Izzy]

We have mini pamper sessions at our dementia cafe sometimes. Tasters of things like Indian Head massage. Ours runs without speakers though. People from the Carer's Centre, or perhaps the hearing aid clinic or a benefits person comes and sits with groups of people over coffee then 'works the room! By moving to each group in turn.


Sent from my iPhone using Talking Point mobile app

 

[nitram]

Have the changes which will come into force in April 2015 been covered in the talks?

These changes have been brought about by the Care Act 2014 most of which comes into force in 2015, a notable exception being the changes to asset levels and fee payment for residential accommodation which will not apply until April 2016.

"The Care Act 2014 strengthens the rights and recognition of carers in the social care system, and will come into effect in April 2015."

http://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/practical-support/care-act-2014

 

[DemAC]

This is a great idea, however I don't know how I would go about finding a representative for Talking Point to give their experience of how the supportive network has enhanced their lives and understanding. I would be looking for a direct local member brave enough to tell their story.

I'm new to TP, do you have any suggestions how I could put feelers out there for someone to come forward?

Thanks for your advice

 

[marionq]

We had a couple of local councillors who sat on the committee which allocated funds to groups such as Alz Scotland. It was useful to them to see what was being done with taxpayers money and useful to carers to tell them what was good about provision and what was needed.

 

[pippop1]

Someone from a local bank or building society? They should jump at the chance to speak to you.

 

[pippop1]

Prospective candidates in your area for the next election saying what they will do for those with dementia and carers?