Remember these words when helping people with dementia – You’ll be amazed at the difference it will make to them and their lives.
I CAN STILL SMELL THE FLOWERS
I CAN STILL COMMUNICATE
I CAN STILL MAKE DECISIONS
I CAN STILL WASH MY FACE
I CAN STILL SING
I CAN STILL MOVE MY BODY
YOU ARE MY LIFELINE. I DEPEND ON YOU. BUT PLEASE DON’T DO FOR ME WHAT I CAN DO FOR MYSELF.
RECOGNISE WHAT I CAN DO & HELP ME FUNCTION AS A PERSON.
YOU ARE KEY TO THE QUALITY OF MY LIFE
Can you imagine how much easier living with dementia would be if there were more services available to families touched by dementia?
Just consider this for a moment – tomorrow you receive a call to say that a member of your family has been diagnosed with dementia. What would you do? How would you feel? Who could you ask for advice? What would you say? How could you help them?
Not sure? You’re not alone – thousands of families have to deal with this “shock” every year. The majority feel helpless and unsure how to cope. It’s extremely traumatic and can devastate family networks and put immense pressure on relationships.
One thing is clear – their lives are not over and there’s still much living to enjoy – even though it may not seem like it immediately after the diagnosis.
The most important thing to do is ask for help and support. The sooner you do this the better. Early intervention is crucial to maintaining healthy relationships and enjoyable lives.
That’s why getting people diagnosed with dementia into quality primary care services immediately is so important.
It will keep them living happier and healthier lives for longer. It will also provide much-needed advice to help them understand the disease and how it may affect their loved ones behaviour.
Immediately after diagnosis, health care professionals need to be referring families to the support networks and services available in their area. It will make a huge difference to their lives.
All too often referrals take too long.
Let’s start focussing on improving the speed of referral and move to a “seamless” transition from diagnosis to primary care.
And finally, let’s take some time to fully understand the services available to families so we can “refer with confidence”.
Don’t delay – let’s get started straight away!!!
It’s deeply frustrating that our “media giants” recently published “sensational headlines” about how you can potentially contract dementia through blood transfusions and surgery. The level of risk is so minimal and unproven that it’s not even worth media time.
I suppose it’s true that “bad news sells”. I suppose there’s no chance of them running headlines and features about all the great work going on in our communities to make life better for families touched by dementia. That would fall into the “good news” category and probably not even make the paper.
The recent “sensationalist” headlines will have done nothing to help remove the stigma attached to dementia.
However, we, like many others will continue to make a positive contribution to people’s lives that have been devastated by dementia.
The only thing that’s really contagious helping people with dementia is catching their love, smiles, hugs, laughter, happiness and gratitude – That’s what makes it the most rewarding work you can ever do.
Through introducing the wonderful game of golf to families living with dementia, we’re making a positive contribution to their lives – It’s so rewarding!!
When someone is diagnosed with dementia it can be a devastating time in their lives. Unlike cancer, dementia has no cure or treatment plan. Many people think it’s the end of their life. They don’t know what to do, which way to turn or who to speak to.
The first days after diagnosis are critical to how people approach the future. They need compassion and humanity from people who are prepared to listen and support them through this challenging time.
At the moment we quite rightly talk about “living with dementia” not “suffering with dementia” which is an important distinction. However, I think we should take it one step further and start talking about “enjoying life with dementia”.
Once a person has come to terms with their diagnosis – which can take some time – formulating an “enjoyment plan” with them that encapsulates all the the things they “ENJOY DOING” could be the way to get them living a longer, happier life.
Early intervention is crucial. The sooner you get the enjoyment plan together the better. The longer people are left without help & support the harder it becomes for them to focus on a positive future.
The enjoyment plan works by identifying a number of “enjoyable activities” and plotting them into a weekly schedule. This generates a list of “enjoyable services” to be delivered throughout the week. These “enjoyable services” would be delivered by local service providers who specialise in helping people with dementia.
Not only would the enjoyment plan transform the lives of people diagnosed with dementia, it would provide much-needed respite for carers and families.
Imagine the positive impact this would have on families living with dementia every week.
The dementia gun is loaded – our ageing population is the prime target for this terrible disease. How are we going to help them “dodge” the dementia bullet?
The headline quote from Terry Pratchett sums up the issues we face as a society. Terry’s life was recently taken by dementia. We must try and find ways to cure this disease – otherwise it will take more of our loved ones from us.
Maybe we can’t yet – as the disease remains without a cure. However, we can help improve the lives of those living with the dementia.
It’s a proven fact that excercise, mental stimulation and social activity can slow the progression of the disease.
Surely the answer then is to combine the three into personal care packages. It’s got to be personalised as dementia affects everyone differently. What stimulates and excites one, can alienate and upset another.
Finding the right “primary care pathway” for people diagnosed with dementia is crucial – otherwise it will prevail in destroying the quality of life of those touched by the disease.
One critical aspects of the disease that is often overlooked – is the devastating impact it has on the families. That’s why its crucial they get the necessary support, help and advice to cope with the stress and strain of caring for their loved ones.
Coming to terms with losing someone you love whilst they’re still alive can be overwhelming. Seeing your dad, husband, wife or mum become a “stranger in your life” must be heart-breaking.
We’re here to help you through one of the most difficult and emotionally challenging journeys in your life.
Imagine if there was a service that combined physical, mental & social stimulation, tailored to the individual needs of every customer living with dementia?
Imagine if it was delivered in beautiful natural surroundings by compassionate people who wanted to make a positive contribution to their local community?
Imagine if they could do it whilst playing a game they love?
Imagine the difference it would make to families touched by dementia?
Well, such a service is being piloted by Golf In Society in Lincoln. Every Wednesday & Thursday at Lincoln Golf Centre, people living with dementia and their carers are being invited to come along and see how golf can improve their heath and happiness at their local club. The really good news is that it’s FREE for anyone diagnosed with dementia in the Lincoln area.
Why not come along and find out more?
Golf Days Out – a new service aimed at improving the health and happiness of people living with the dementia has launched in Lincoln.
It’s purpose is to introduce families touched by dementia to find a new lease of life through golf. The service combines physical, mental and social stimulation and is delivered in beautiful surroundings.
Dementia touches everyone differently – and that’s why this service is unique – as it’s tailored to meet the needs of the individual.
The pilot scheme will run every Wednesday & Thursday at Lincoln Golf Centre from 10am.
The service is FREE and available to anyone diagnosed with dementia.
Contact Anthony at golfinsociety@gmail.com
An exciting new dementia support service launches this week in Lincoln – Golf Days Out.
It’s aim is to improve the lives of people living with dementia and their carers by introducing them to the unique benefits of getting involved in Golf.
The service combines physical, mental and social stimulation in fun, enjoyable and rewarding sessions for people of all abilities.
The service will be tailored to meet the needs of each dementia customer – after all it affects every person differently.
Not only does it offer people the chance to discover a healthier life through golf – it provides much needed respite and support for carers.
The pilot will run every Wednesday & Thursday until November from 10am. The venue is Lincoln Golf Centre at Thorpe-on-the-Hill and it’s FREE to people diagnosed with dementia and their carers.
To find out more about this new dementia support service and how it can help you and your loved ones please get in touch with Anthony at golfinsociety@gmail.com
It’s a scandal that we cannot care properly for our “Golden Generation”. They have contributed so much to our country and provided us with our freedom. They deserve better. Care delivered in fifteen minute packages is not acceptable.
The fact that many carers work unsociable hours for minimum wages is why we are failing the elderly in our communities.
We need to create “career pathways” that allow compassionate people to have an enjoyable and rewarding career, caring for the disadvantaged and vulnerable people in our communities.
Caring for others is the most rewarding job anyone can ever have – let’s make it a preferred career that pays well and creates opportunities for people to shape the way we deliver quality care for our ageing population.
Who contributes more to this country – a carer or a banker? Exactly
It’s a fact that the death rate amongst golfers is 40% lower than non-golfers. Also, the lower your handicap the longer you live – It’s been proven by scientists in Sweden who looked at the health & longevity of 300,000 golfers.
What better incentive to start playing this wonderful game. It’s unique combination of outdoor exercise and social interaction can help you lead a happier and healthier life.
It can significantly lower the risk of developing dementia, especially vascular dementia as it encourages blood flow and oxygen to stimulate the brain.
We are just about to launch our “Golf Days Out” pilot in Lincoln. Our aim is to encourage people living with Dementia and their loved ones to consider golf as their preferred leisure activity – leading to a longer, happier and healthier life.
It starts next week and you can follow our progress on this page and facebook.
“Life is better when you’re golfing”
