DEMENTIA AWARENESS. Newsletter. Nithsdale

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1 Nithsdale DEMENTIA AWARENESS Newsletter September 2016 Welcome to our latest edition of the Dementia Awareness Newsletter. You may have seen recent news articles on advancements in detecting Alzheimer s disease and new treatments for dementia, which is very exciting and positive. However this type of news always seems to be tinged with a bit of frustration as these treatments are in development and it may be years before we see them being used in day to day practice. In the meantime, positive developments are happening in the world of dementia care now which we can all benefit from and help to spread the word. One such example is the Dementia friends Scotland initiative. Anyone can become a Dementia Friend and lots of our local retailers and organisations are taking up the offer to do so. That is great news and is happening now and you can contact Alzheimer s Scotland for more details. As always, we hope you find this Newsletter of interest and please let us know if there is any feedback or items you would like to see. Kind Regards, Emily Kennedy You may have saw this gentleman on the news lately. He himself has dementia and to raise awareness of Alzheimer s disease has recorded a single. A contribution of the money raised will go towards supporting people with Alzheimer s and Dementia. Forgetting Asking me to remember, But I will probably forget. For every lost dream, I ve lost a million. My heart is sinking to the bottom of the sea, pulling me under currents and I m not entirely sure why. Holding on to every last word with my frail fingertips, I m ever hopeful to answer your questions. Lost in my thoughts, the map has been written in a foreign language unknown to man. I live to see the day of a question answered or something I know you d love to hear me say. By Daniel Gillespie

2 Page 2 Care to Care Merian Hope is a Care Assistant at Lochduhar Nursing Home in Dumfries. Although she has only been in the job for 8 months, she has already made a big impression, as she has been awarded Divisional winner for Scotland and North West England in the category Apprentice / Learner of the Year. She is through to the Barchester National Care Awards held in Manchester on 12 th October She feels very privileged to be recognised for her work. After 24 years of working for Cumbria Police, Merian left policing to embark on a new career. She felt that caring would be the right type of work for her and her position at Lochduhar is her first paid caring role. What does the job entail? Merian works full time supporting residents in the home when they get up until they go to bed. Her work varies from person to person, but she provides help and support throughout the day with duties including helping residents with washing; dressing; oral hygiene and support at mealtimes. Merian also takes the time to chat with residents and their families to get to know them. She is involved in various activities with residents, such as outings, walks in the garden and daily activities run within the home. Training and support Most enjoyable part of the job? Merian enjoys spending time with the residents. She finds it very rewarding seeing them happy and laughing. They inspire me with their stories she says. It s their home so let s make it a happy one she says. Merian has plans to complete her NVQ 2 & 3 with support from her employers. She believes that training is very important and feels she has had great support from both management and fellow colleagues at Lochduhar. She discussed that The team work well together and are encouraged to continue their education and training. Most challenging aspect of the job When someone with dementia asks for loved ones, it s hard. Merian finds that being patient and talking and listening to the person help at these times. We have to do everything we can to reassure the resident by spending time with them, offering support to retain their sense of identity and self worth. It s about seeing things from their perspective. What would Merian do if she was in charge for the day? Do something amazing and be a carer Take everyone on a trip to the seaside and have ice cream and sing along on the way home. Merian would also like to promote the caring role more as she feels that it is an extremely rewarding job.

3 Healthy Connections Page 3 It is estimated that 68% of adults in the UK feel lonely. To help support people to cope with life s challenges and help improve wellbeing, Nithsdale Health Improvement Team offer the Healthy Connections service. This service supports individuals to connect to activities and organisations to help improve wellbeing. It is very important for people to feel happy and content in their lives. Different events throughout life can make people feel low and isolated. Healthy Connections works closely with individuals to encourage involvement in activities that will help people to feel better in themselves. Anyone can become involved, including those with dementia and their carers. Individuals will be directed and often accompanied to various activities that best support their needs. For more information, please call dumf-uhb.nithsdalehit@nhs.net They told me about things that were right for me! They told me about some courses and things that were going on in my Community

4 Page 4 Walk in my Shoes The key to the quality of care for the person with dementia, in any setting, is an understanding of what it is like to live with dementia and the development of the delivery of person-centred practice. This project uses simulated learning to facilitate the development of this understanding in the acute hospital environment, as well as person-centred attitudes and values. NHS Dumfries & Galloway are currently building a new hospital, which will provide an acute care environment, differing significantly from the current provision. A mock-up of the new bedroom environment is available for induction and education for staff going to work in the new hospital. It is intended that these in house simulated learning experiences will provide the staff, who will be working in the new hospital, an opportunity to experience and reflect upon their professional responsibilities and values in working within the new setting with patients with a range of physical and cognitive impairments. The sessions will continue to run monthly until the opening of the new hospital in Although open to any member of NHS D&G staff, where practical and appropriate, extra sessions may be arranged for individual teams and staff teams. To date, a wide range of professionals and support staff have experienced what it feels like to have a range of cognitive and physical issues in an unfamiliar environment. The feedback from staff is showing that this kind of learning is potent and a valuable addition to the other types of learning available. For further information contact Julie Garton, Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Nurse Consultant on jgarton@nhs.net. NEW - Nithsdale Locality Blog A new blog has been developed to provide the community with an opportunity to find out more information on health and social care and how services will work closer together. Access the blog at: and share your views.

5 Page 5 Kurling The Living Well Would you like to find out what s going on in your area? Are you looking for support or information, but don t know who to ask? Visit The Living Well for all your health and wellbeing needs. It is a local online directory of services and activities which are available to residents in Dumfries and Galloway.

6 Page 6 Have you made a pledge to make a difference? Over the last 3 years Dementia Carer Voices has been collecting pledges from various people such as carers, NHS staff, students and other health care professionals. They now have over 10,000 pledges ranging from: I will support my staff more to the simplest of things such as I am going to call my mum tonight and tell her I love her They are looking to hear from you! It has been a pleasure for the team to collect all the fantastic pledges over the years. If you have made a pledge then the team would like to know how you are getting on with it? and tell us about what difference it has made to you and others around you? For more information please contact Laura on dementiacarervoices@alliance-scoltand.org.uk World Mental Health Day - 10th October 2016 There are many ways to improve mental health and wellbeing. The activities and information during the week will show some of the varied ways October - Information display at DGRI Foyer October - Information, art, activities and refreshments at 28 Munches Street, Dumfries, DG1 1ET 10 October - Local walks at 1pm and 2pm starting at 139 Irish Street, Dumfries. 10 October - Art exhibition open night at 7pm Dumfries Ice Bowl. 12 October - Pub quiz at 7.30pm at The White Hart. 13 October - Drama showcase at 28 Munches Street, Dumfries, DG1 1ET. Booking required. Call John October - Live music at the Coach and Horses at 3pm. Most activities are free. For further information please contact Emma Scott on emscott@supportinmindscotland.org.uk Activities locally 10-15th October 2016 Having a dementia or a memory impairment can be isolating and may have an impact on an individuals mental health.

7 Page 7 Are you a Carer that could benefit from a short break? What about a night away, a break away with the family or the chance to try out a new activity or hobby that would give you a break from your caring role? The Carers Short Breaks Fund could be the answer. Dumfries and Galloway Carers Centre has funding available for Carers to help them access a short break that could be a benefit to them and their family. This funding is provided by Shared Care Scotland and through the NHS Carers Information Strategy. The fund has supported 568 applications over the last 5 years and there have been a wide range of positive outcomes as a result. A total of 197,841 has been awarded, with the average grant being around 330. Applications have been awarded for overnight breaks as well as the more unusual type of short break; the fund is open to creative ideas of how a short break can be interpreted: a shed for the garden, a bike, an exercise class, gym membership; as long as positive outcomes for the Carer can be demonstrated, the fund will consider the application. The following are some of the feedback comments received: It proved to me that you can have a break and those you care for can manage without you. It reminded me that there is a life outside These breaks are the best thing that can happen to caring families. The time away is just perfect to relax and escape for a while If a Carer you know, including someone you work with, could benefit from a short break, help them apply to this local fund. Forms can be completed by the Carer themselves or with help from someone that supports them. Carers do not need to be registered at the Carers Centre to access the fund but a referral to the service may be beneficial in other ways too. Application forms, guidance notes and further information are available by ing or telephoning Ros Watt at the Carers Centre on Rosalind.watt@dgalcarers.org.

8 Community Groups Forget-me-not Lunch Group 1st Thursday monthly, Solway Gate, Annan Road, Dumfries, pm. Musical Minds Music Group 3rd Thursday monthly, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Edinburgh Road, Dumfries between pm. Walking Football & Reminiscence Group 2nd Thursday (1.45pm) & last Thursday (11am), monthly at Queen of the South Arena, Dumfries. Carer Support Groups Dumfries - 1st Wednesday monthly, pm & pm, Resource Centre, 8 Gordon Street. Sanquhar - 2nd Monday monthly, 11am - 1pm (from Oct), Health Centre, Station Road. For more information contact Mandy on or mpool@alzscot.org Golfing Memories noon. 3rd Thursday of each month. Limited spaces. Dumfries & Galloway Golf Club, Club House, Castle Douglas Road, Dumfries. Bowls 1st Wednesday monthly, 11am pm, Maxwelltown Bowling Club, Dumfries For more information please contact Helen Smith, Community Activity Organiser at Alzheimer Scotland on, hsmith@alzscot.org Newsletter Editorial Team Emily Kennedy, Dementia Awareness Chair / Prescribing Support Pharmacist, NHS Mandy Pool, Dementia Advisor, Alzheimer Scotland Somar Clark, Social Worker, D & G Council Mairead Rowan, Health Improvement Officer, NHS Annette Gibson, District Nurse, NHS Lindsay Murdoch, Community Link Worker, NHS Alison Richardson, Public Representative For more information, feedback or submit an article contact Lindsay on lindsay.murdoch@nhs.net Please contact the team for further copies, future articles or to be added to the mailing list. For up to date information visit Nithsdale Health Improvement Team on Or NithsdaleHIT on