Tag Archives: alzheimers

Poem by a Carer……A bad back

March 31, 2011   Alzheimer’s, dementia, disability, poem

It’s hard to carry out caring,
When your back refuses to bend,
And you cannot get your socks on,
Because your leg seems to have no end.

But you cannot be ill as a carer,
The job is still there to be done,
But with backache, it’s like doing the firewalk,
But not nearly half so much fun.

So get yourself up out of bed, lad,
Leave the sheets warm, smooth as silk,
Creak to the bathroom and wash time,
Then go get some bread and some milk.

Try find a comfy position,
Sitting, standing, lying and then,
Hold it for a couple of minutes,
Until duty starts calling again.

So lots of pills and medication,
Will soon have you up , feeling frisky.
O!! Bum to the painkilling tablets,
And pass me the bottle of whisky.

Author A Carer

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Initiative helps dementia carers train in empathy

March 31, 2011   Alzheimer’s, dementia
31 March 2011 Last updated at 02:37

 

Initiative helps dementia carers train in empathy

 By Anna-Marie Lever Health reporter, BBC News

 
 
Trying dementia: a workshop of blindfolds and fast eating
 

A new training initiative is helping dementia carers empathise with those they look after.

Goggles that distort vision, gloves that reduce the sense of touch, and loud white noise – just three things which create a sense of frustration, confusion and loss of control.

By evoking the feelings of what it might be like to have dementia, those at the workshop are able to reflect on how best to care for people with the condition.

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Social care cuts are already biting, say charities

March 30, 2011   Alzheimer’s, Cancer, charities, disability, Multiple Sclerosis, Older care

Social care cuts are already biting, say charities

One in four disabled and older people say their services have been reduced even before the spending cuts next month

Charities found that 52% of older and disabled people were struggling to maintain their independence in the face of cuts.

Nearly one in four disabled and older people have experienced cuts to services and increased charges for care, even before local authority spending cuts are implemented, say charities.

Many families are already being “pushed to breaking point” by reductions to the amount of care they receive, including transport help and respite care, with more than half saying increased charges mean they can no longer afford food and heating.

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