questions and/or suggestions please

[The Chewtor]

I have no idea where to put this post so will dump it here where I usually post in the hope that as I get comments etc back it will keep it on the main 'recent' posts and as such give anyone interested a chance to see it.

Right so what is it about.......

I am lucky enough that at the end of next week I am giving another talk/training session to professionals. This time it is to a company that specialise in home based care. They are now extending or branching out into the home based dementia market and are therefore open to ideas and suggestions of what is needed, what could be done, what is wrong now etc etc. As I know little about the current problems but do have a great chance to be a mouth piece I am trying to use TP as research to write a different kind of presentation. Still myself, PWD, talking about it and the problems, but I can and want to speak about what may be the problems I will find in my near/long term future.

Any info/comments/suggestions will be great and WILL be delivered.

Thanks guys

Wayne

 

[HillyBilly]

Hi Wayne. I just wanted to stop by and say good on you for doing this x

 

[chris53]

Hi Wayne,hope you are well,just wanted to say great stuff doing another training session,you will blow them away have very little experience to offer you,as I still support my mum without care help..at the moment...however my mum in law did have carers in(she is now in a lovely "new" home)and the main problems were-Time....carer comes in,has to ring in to office, give pills,slap down a cuppa and micro meal..ring out to office..then away 2.Common sense! they need to be the eyes and ears of vulnerable people, not stick by a text book,treat their client like a person or rather how they would like their member of family looked after 3.Do not be Patronizing in speaking or talk "baby like" 4. Be aware of any physical illness or difficulties their client has..this is just as important as the dementia side...and lastly be kind,smile and if you are going into a care role as a job..at least ENJOY IT
Take care Wayne,dinner awaits

 

[love.dad.but..]

From my experience using live in carers for my dad...when they say all their carers are experienced in dementia care and you find the promise of expertise just isn't delivered and the understanding of the illness and how to handle behaviour and problems very common with this illness are woefully lacking in practice...please can carers have more in depth training rather than a token tick box few hours etc. Hope your presentation goes well.

 

[nae sporran]

Well done and good luck with that, Wayne.

Is that care at home, as opposed to car homes? The biggest problem we have in that kind of care is that the carers are always in too much of a rush. OH often needs a little persuasion to have a shower and too many are in a rush so they are a little unfriendly. This does not help. They could also remind her who they are when she has not seen them for a while. I suppose it doesn't occur to the carers, and they have their ID badges on, but it would make it easier for her to accept their help.

 

[jhoward]

the home based dementia market and are therefore open to ideas and suggestions of what is needed, what could be done, what is wrong now

As a PwD, (mild-ish earlier stage) living at home on my own, I'd echo the answers from chris53. I remember when I did life-writing wrk with people in a care home, some of whom had D, the psychologist reminded us a lot, that these were real people. Having a poor memory etc, should be treated with the same respect as a broken ankle or a bad headache. "It doesn't make a person into an idiot," they said, "and you make yourself look foolish if you treat them as if they were."

 

[Kjn]

Fil had carers (didn't have dementia)when he was discharged from hospital and in his words ..useless. Arrive late or there 5mins, no time for shower, flooded shower tray and so thought o kitchen downstairs, if late fil got himself up so they sat and had a coffee...I'm sure they could be of more use.
More training is required definitely , also with dementia pts perhaps keeping same carers as much as possible.
They are given small amts of time to get from one place to next but that means level of care is low in a lot of cases and so bad feedback.

Good luck , what a star .

 

[Kevinl]

I'd tell them to "Expect the unexpected"!
To read your posts and blogs on here is a world away from how other people with AZ.
They may be well used to dealing with the elderly market but that's a world away from the more advanced stages of AZ.
They'll have a job getting suitably experienced staff and I doubt their current people will take to the change and extra challenges AZ brings.
I've talked to staff who've gone into EMI care and want to get out and back into working in a residential home as they're not up to the challenge of PWD's.
I think you only have to read some of the stories on here to see that some people who are quite advanced are still in the community and to save money and LA's will do everything they can to keep it that way.
Staff training is the big issue for me, it has to be done and done properly.
K

 

[Kjn]

I agree with staff training . Perhaps if better pay for more dementia related caring ? But then you don't know carer going to be any good just there for money.
Wish I knew the answers.

 

[Aisling]

I have no idea where to put this post so will dump it here where I usually post in the hope that as I get comments etc back it will keep it on the main 'recent' posts and as such give anyone interested a chance to see it.

Right so what is it about.......

I am lucky enough that at the end of next week I am giving another talk/training session to professionals. This time it is to a company that specialise in home based care. They are now extending or branching out into the home based dementia market and are therefore open to ideas and suggestions of what is needed, what could be done, what is wrong now etc etc. As I know little about the current problems but do have a great chance to be a mouth piece I am trying to use TP as research to write a different kind of presentation. Still myself, PWD, talking about it and the problems, but I can and want to speak about what may be the problems I will find in my near/long term future.

Any info/comments/suggestions will be great and WILL be delivered.

Thanks guys

Wayne

My question is what does this home based caring cost? Affordable?

Training for carers:

What training does carer get?

Who provides this training?

Is training recognise by medical boards?

How long does training last?

Is training validated by examining bodies?

What level eg Fetac level 6/7

When training is completed, updating of skills is essential and in my opinion should be compulsory.

How is carer introduced to person? Induction periods? Supervision of carers when working.

Who is responsible for Care Plans? Is Care Plan reviewed regularly or when needed?

Who insures carer when in situ? Are procedures in place if carer has an emergency?

Is cover provided when carer is not available?

I believe punctuality is vital. Also being confidential. Empathy and listening skills.

Dare I say it? Is carer allowed to stay a few minutes longer occasionally if something goes wrong.

Complaints procedure?

Ethos / Mission statement of provider? Fact or fiction?

How are carers supported?

What pay do Carers get?


I hope this helps in some small way.

Aisling

 

[The Chewtor]

thank you all for the brilliant comments, suggestions and very thought provoking stuff. You have, as expected, done me proud. keep it coming. I hope that by cutting and pasting this stuff into a speech and information sheet, i can get messages across in time to make a difference.
I will do my absolute best to use this well and not let you down.

Thanks so much

Wayne

 

[Gwendy1]

I think training is a biggie. Also, getting to know the person as a 'person'.. and as the person they are now. I've noticed that dad has become defined by one aspect of his life for the carers-his favourite football team! ...A very full life of family, career, many hobbies, travel,friends.. has been reduced mainly to one topic of conversation only when carers are speaking to him. So, a 'full' picture is important, and the ability to acknowledge that as we go through life, our interests and priorities change. ! Good luck, as always. ☀️X


Sent from my iPhone using Talking Point

 

[Aisling]

thank you all for the brilliant comments, suggestions and very thought provoking stuff. You have, as expected, done me proud. keep it coming. I hope that by cutting and pasting this stuff into a speech and information sheet, i can get messages across in time to make a difference.
I will do my absolute best to use this well and not let you down.

Thanks so much

Wayne

Thank you for your reply Wayne. You will be great.

Aisling

 

[jhoward]

I think training is a biggie. Also, getting to know the person as a 'person'.. and as the person they are now. I've noticed that dad has become defined by one aspect of his life for the carers-his favourite football team! ...A very full life of family, career, many hobbies, travel,friends.. has been reduced mainly to one topic of conversation only when carers are speaking to him. So, a 'full' picture is important, and the ability to acknowledge that as we go through life, our interests and priorities change. ! Good luck, as always. ☀️X

That's so important, Gwendy1. People with dementia, including me, are still real people, just "loaded with a disability"as someone described it. Our lives before the Alz struck are still real and part of us.

 

[fizzie]

Do Not Ask Me to Remember
Do not ask me to remember,
Don’t try to make me understand,
Let me rest and know you’re with me,
Kiss my cheek and hold my hand.
I’m confused beyond your concept,
I am sad and sick and lost.
All I know is that I need you
To be with me at all cost.
Do not lose your patience with me,
Do not scold or curse or cry.
I can’t help the way I’m acting,
Can’t be different though I try.
Just remember that I need you,
That the best of me is gone,
Please don’t fail to stand beside me,
Love me ’til my life is done.
– Owen Darnell

This is nice too x

 

[Jessbow]

Continuity would be good- It instill confidence in the family of the caree- rather than having to explain umpteen times.

To take notice of what family/main carer/instructions say.... If it says the you charge has cereal, toast and coffee for breakfast, please follow that. ( giving choices often results in complete rejection, because some just can find the word, so give up trying and achieve breakfast, rather than nothing)