What would you ask?

[JigJog]

Hi,

My husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's two years ago at the age of 62.

He is still very fit and active and his passion is walking the hills and climbing mountains.

He has been able to drive up until now and so has been able to get himself around as he wants.

In a couple of weeks he has a driving assessment and I feel that his license will not be renewed this time.

In an effort to keep him pursuing his passion for as long as possible, after much searching, I have found an agency which specializes in exactly what I want; keeping folks with dementia fit and active and pursuing their interests. They are able to drive him to a location, walk with him, supervise him, keep him safe and bring him home tired

I have never needed to use an agency before. I have chatted to them on the phone but they are going to visit us at home for us to find out more.

I don't want to be naive so want to ask all necessary questions before we begin. What kind of questions should I be asking? What would you ask?

 

[Margarita]

Hi,



I have never needed to use an agency before. I have chatted to them on the phone but they are going to visit us at home for us to find out more.

I don't want to be naive so want to ask all necessary questions before we begin. What kind of questions should I be asking? What would you ask?

Sounds perfect

My first question to them would be
Hope you don't mind me asking, but I would first like to know
What specialise training does your employers have in dementia training?
What company did the training ?
Can I please see the certificates to prove the training ?


Then I would be googling the Company that trained the employers

Unless you know those questions already ?

 

[Margarita]

PS
An example would be like this
for a company to claim they specialise /specialises in dementia

Dementia Specialist
I have worked with people living with dementia for nearly 20 years and before joining Care UK in April 2012 I worked with the European Care Group as a dementia specialist.

Accessing good dementia training can be difficult but I’ve completed dementia courses at both Stirling and Bradford Universities and I’m a Dementia Friends Champion and trainer with the Alzheimer’s Society. I’ve also been lucky enough to work with two of the UK’s leading dementia experts Dr Gemma Jones and Tessa Perrin./QUOTE]
http://www.careuk.com/care-homes/dementia-care/dementia-specialists/andrew-potts

 

[Grannie G]

Hello JigJog

I hope the agency will ask you.

They should be the ones who know how to conduct an interview and assessment, if they are dementia trained.

They should want to know your husbands likes and dislikes, what interests him, what upsets him, what stimulates him, what bores him.

They should want to know some of his history, what work he did, whether or not he enjoyed it.

They should want to know if he has hobbies or if he had hobbies but no longer has the skills of interests to pursue them.

They should want to know about the family, children, grandchildren, brothers sisters.

They are there for you and your husband. They need to meet your needs. You do not need to meet theirs.

 

[JigJog]

Thank you!

Thanks to both Margarita and Sylvia for your help.

Fingers crossed it all works out.

JJ x