CARERS WEEK 6TH-12THJUNE
CarersWeekisanannualcampaigntoraise awarenessofcaring,highlightthe challengesunpaidcarersfaceand recognisethecontributiontheymaketo familiesandcommunitiesthroughoutthe UK.Italsohelpspeoplewhodon'tthinkof themselvesashavingcaringresponsibilities toidentifyascarersandaccessmuchneededsupport.
Wehavesomeexcitingplansforthisweek!
Carers Week Roadshow
MeetFiona,theCarersServiceCoordinator andpickupagoodybag!Findouthow SomersetCarerscanhelpatanyandevery stageofaperson'scaringjourneyby poppinginto:
Tuesday 7th June:
TauntonCarersGroupWellsprings
CommunityChurchCafé,10am-2pm
Thursday 9th June: Sainsbury'sFrome,10am-2pm
Friday 10th June: MorrisonsGlastonbury,10am-2pm
SUGGESTED READING
AcollectionofbooksusefulforCarers
The Selfish Pigs Guide to Caring by Hugh Marriott
RecommendedbyAlison,GroupLeaderattheIlminster CarersGroup
TheSelfishPig'sGuidetoCaringbyHughMarriottisa brilliantbookandcancauseagreatdealoflaughter.Idon't knowanyonewhohasnotappreciatedit.
Springtime at Hope Hall by Pam Rhodes
AnotherrecommendationfromAlison.
IhavejustreadoneoftheHopeHallbooksbyPamRhodes. Itiseasyreadingsodoesnottaxthebrain.Theyareabout thegroupsandpeoplewhouseavillagehall.
The Thursday Murder Club and The Man who Died Twice by Richard Osman
RecommendedbyJane,GroupLeaderatKeintonMandeville CarersGroup.
IhaverecentlyreadRichardOsman’sThursdayNightMurder clubpart1&2.Reallygoodamusingreadsinwhichyoucan getintothecharactersveryquickly
The Library by Bella Osborne
ArecommendationfromFiona.
Atouchingstoryaboutanunlikelyfriendship.Thebookwas amusing,heart-warmingandmovinginequalmeasure.
IfoundreadinghardwhenIwascaringformyhusbandasIwasso tiredbutalso,IwouldgetinterruptedagreatdealbutIfoundaudio booksawonderfulwayof'reading'abookandcouldplaythemwhen cooking,washingupetc.
sofdementia, abletoenjoylifein beforetheir sgetworse,the anxious,stressed tbeingableto ,follow concentrate. supporttheperson tomaintainskills,abilitiesandan activesociallife.Thiscanalsohelp howtheyfeelaboutthemselves.
d Drinking
Eatingahealthy,well balanceddietisan importantpartofahealthylifestylefor everyone.
Peoplewithdementiamaynotdrinkenough becausetheydon'trealisethey'rethirsty.
Thisputsthematriskof:
urinarytractinfections(UTIs) constipation headaches
SPOTLIGHT ON DEMENTIA
AdvicefromTheNHSwebsite
HOWYOUCANHELP
Involvethepersoninpreparingthe mealifthey'reableto.
Trythesetipstomakemealtimesless stressful:
notrecognisingfoods forgettingwhatfoodanddrinktheylike refusingorspittingoutfood askingforstrangefoodcombinations
Thesecanleadtoincreasedconfusionand makethesymptomsofdementiaworse. Commonfood relatedproblemsinclude: Thesebehaviourscanbeduetoarangeof reasons,suchasconfusion,paininthemouth causedbysoregumsorill fittingdentures,or swallowingproblems(dysphagia).
setasideenoughtimeformeals offerfoodyouknowtheylike,andin smallerportions bepreparedforchangesinfood tastestrystrongerflavoursor sweeterfoods providefingerfoodsiftheperson struggleswithcutlery offerfluidsinaclearglassor colouredcupthat'seasytohold Makesurethepersonyoucarefor hasregulardentalcheckupstohelp treatanycausesofdiscomfortor paininthemouth.
Findoutmoreinformationoneatingand drinkingfromAlzheimer’sSociety
Help with incontinence and using the toilet
Peoplewithdementiamayoftenexperience problemswithgoingtothetoilet.
Bothurinaryincontinenceandbowel incontinencecanbedifficulttodealwith.Itcan alsobeveryupsettingforthepersonyoucare forandforyou.
Problemscanbecausedby:
urinarytractinfections(UTIs) constipation,whichcancauseadded pressureonthebladder somemedicines
Sometimesthepersonwithdementiamay simplyforgettheyneedthetoiletorwherethe toiletis.
SPOTLIGHT ON DEMENTIA
AdvicefromTheNHSwebsite
HOWYOUCANHELP
Althoughitmaybehard,it's importanttobeunderstanding abouttoiletproblems.
Trytoretainasenseofhumour,if appropriate,andrememberit'snotthe person'sfault.
Youmayalsowanttotrythesetips:
putasignonthetoiletdoor picturesandwordsworkwell keepthetoiletdooropenandkeepa lightonatnight,orconsidersensor lights lookforsignsthatthepersonmay needthetoilet,suchasfidgetingor standingupordown trytokeepthepersonactivea dailywalkhelpswithregularbowel movements trytomakegoingtothetoiletpartof aregulardailyroutine
Ifyou'restillhavingproblemswith incontinence,askyourGPtoreferthe persontoacontinenceadviser,whocan adviseonthingslikewaterproofbedding orincontinencepads.
Findoutmoreinformationontoilet problemsfromAlzheimer'sSociety
SPOTLIGHT ON DEMENTIA
Help with washing and bathing
Somepeoplewithdementiacanbecome anxiousaboutpersonalhygieneand mayneedhelpwithwashing.
Theymayworryabout:
bathwaterbeingtoodeep thenoisyrushofwaterfroman overheadshower falling gettingundressedinfrontof someoneelse,eventheirpartner
Sleep problems
askthepersonhowthey'dprefertobe helped reassurethepersonyouwillnotletthem gethurt useabathseatorhandheldshower useshampoo,showergelorsoapthe personprefers bepreparedtostaywiththepersonifthey don'twantyoutoleavethemalone
1)Mixalltheingredients,exceptthecheese,ina bakingdish.
2)Coverandbakeat190'Conehour.
3)After30minutesbaking,stirandaddmorewater ifneeded.
4)Afterthefullhour,stiragainandcheckallthe lentilsaresoft iftheyaren'tbakealittlelonger. 5)Oncefullycooked,sprinklethetopwiththe cheeseandbakeforafurther5minutes.
Makeasavorycrumbletoppingbymixing100g butter,200gflour,50gcheeseandahandfulof porridgeoats.Topthelentilmixturewiththe crumblebeforebaking.
Addinextraveg dicedcarrots,leeks, mushroomsallwouldgowell.Addatstep1.
Deliciousservedwithsausages,baconorapork chop.
Exploreobjectsfromthepastandsharememoriestogether.Itcanbe usedbyanyone,buthasbeendesignedfor,andwith,peoplelivingwith dementiaandtheircarers.
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Keepyourselfandlovedonessafeandneverforgettotakeyourmeds againwithMedisafe,theeasy-to-useandFREEappranked#1by pharmaciststohelpyourememberwhentotakeyourpills.
MyReef3Dliteisasaltwateraquariumthatfitsinyourpocket–interact withthefish,orjustsitbackandenjoylifeonabeautifulreef.
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Playmillionsofsongsforfree.Listentothesongsyouloveandenjoy musicfromallovertheworld.Searchforyourfavouritesong,artist,or album.Discoveraworldofnewmusic,videos,andpodcasts.
TheYoungCarersSupportAppenablesyoungcarersandyoungadult carersintheUKtofindusefulinformation,self-caretipsandlinksto support-allinoneplace.
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Acollectionof35differentgamesincludingthecardgamesHearts, Spades,Cribbage,Euchre,GinRummy,Rummy,Pinochle,CrazyEights andpuzzleandboardgameslikeBackgammon,Reversi,Checkers, ChessandYatzy.
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Minehead,TheBeachHotel:10am–12pm
SouthPethertonLibrary:10am–12pm
BishopsHullHub:Every2ndand4thMondayofthemonth,1pm-3pm
WellspringsCommunityChurch:10.30am-12.30pm
BurnhamonSea,MethodistChurch:10am12pm
WellspringsCommunityChurch:2ndTuesdayoftheMonth,10.30am-12.30pm
TauntonMusgroveParkHospital UNTILFURTHERNOTICEDUETOCOVID
RuishtonVillageHall:Every3rdTuesdayofthemonth,2pm-4pm
WillitonPavilion:1pm-3pm
DulvertonSchool:Every3rdTuesdayofthemonth,9am-11am
Chard,TheGuildhall:10am12pm
Wellington,StJohn'sChurch:2pm-4pm
Bridgwater,TheHubatAngelPlace:10am11.30am
Highbridge,HopeBaptistChurch:9.30am-12.30pm
Dulverton,MAGNA,FishersMeadCommunityRoom:10.30am12.30pm
LangportLibrary:10am-12pm
MonktonHeathfield,TacchiMorrisArtsCentre:Every3rdThursdayofthemonth,10am12pm
Burrowbridge,KingAlfredPub:LastFridayofthemonth,2pm-4pm
Galmington,StMichaelsChurch:1stFridayofthemonth,9am-10.30am
CARERS GROUPS CARERS GROUPS
CATH HOLLOWAY, SPARK CATH HOLLOWAY, SPARK
IamdelightedtobepartofCarersWeekwhereIwillbe visitingtheCarersGroupswithsomegoodiebags. Iwouldalsoliketotakethischancetothankallthe amazingvolunteerswhorunourwonderfulCarers groups.Theyoffertime,alisteningear,warmth,coffee andcaketothosewhojointonetwork.Theyarealsoa wealthoftheirownexperienceandknowwhereto signpostyousothatyoucanmakeyourcaringrolethe bestitcanbe,findingspeakerstokeepyouuptodate. Theysharealltheneweventsideasandinformation aboutcaringinSomerset.
Thereisalotofnewworkgoingonbehindthescenes tosupportCarersandCarersGroupsareagreatplace tofindoutaboutthis.
Groupnews
TheonlineCarersGroupischangingtothefourth Tuesdayofeachmonthat7pm.Thissessionis particularlygoodforthosewhowork,aswellasthose whocan'tmakefacetofacebecausethepeoplethey careforcan'tbeleftalone.Ifyoufeeltootiredyouare morethanwelcometoleaveyourcameraandmicoff andjustlistenin.
TheYeovilgrouprunsaseatedexerciseandboccia sessionforthecaredforatthesametimeasthe carersgroup,asitisveryhardtofindandafford someonetolookafterthepersonyoucareforwhileyou gotoagroup.ThisisrunbyFreedomLeisureatthe WestlandsEntertainmentCentre,withthehelpofmicro providerLizTyas Petersonandisbecomingasuper group.OurrelaxationtherapistCaroleLadeisthegroup leaderandhasawealthofideastohelpyoucopewith thestressofcaring
KeintonMandevillehasasimilargroupwheretheHealth Coachesrunamemorygroupatthesametime.Dopop alongorfindyourlocalgrouphere:
https://somersetcarers.org/carers-groups/
CATH HOLLOWAY CATH HOLLOWAYBridget01749670667 info@headsupsomersetorguk Bridget01749670667 info@headsupsomersetorguk Bridget01749670667 info@headsupsomerset.org.uk MacAbdullah mac.abdullah@yahoo.com
Tricia01373301369 Christiner.smith@blueyounder.co.uk
WHERE? WHEN?
y
TheShambles, MarketHouse KeintonMandeville VillageHall Martock
ChristianFellowship Church Crewkerne HenhayesCentre MainCrewkerneCarpark
Yeovil Café@Westlands EntertainmentCentre Chard EnglishMartyrsChurch Hall,2EastStreet
Ilminster MonksYard(upstairs)
WincantonandBruton BalsamCentre Usemaintowncarpark
ERSET
ythemonth
10.30amto12noon 1stWednesdayofthemonth 11amto1230pm
WHO DO I CONTACT?
FlorenceMills01963359081/ fliss1938@icloud.com RuthMetherell01963359329
JaneTomkins01963350210 Jane.carers@outlook.com
1stThursdayofthemonth 10.30amto12noon 1stTuesdayofthemonth 10.30amto12noon 2ndTuesdayofthemonth 11am 2ndMondayofthemonth 10.30amto12.30pm
3rdThursdayofthemonth 1pmto230pm
JackyJackyreed@talktalknet
2ndMondayoftheMonth 2pm
CathHolloway07951944420 cath.holloway@sparksomerset.org.uk edwardcharnick@btinternetcom
CaroleLadelade7@icloudcom CathHolloway07951944420 cathholloway@sparksomersetorguk
PatGalpin01460220026 Kate01460394331 Weadonit67@gmailcom
AlisonBirket01935427825/ 07774231996 a.birket@btinternet.com
GwenandMoyra
CathHolloway07951944420 cath.holloway@sparksomerset.org.uk
HTTPS://SOMERSETCARERS.ORG/ CARERS-GROUPS/
Passport to Care – a new 18 month social care taster programme
SomersetCountyCouncilandSomersetNHS FoundationTrustinpartnershipwith4socialcare providershavelaunchedanew18monthcaretaster programmewhichwillallowpeopletotryoutarangeof rolesinawidevarietyofsettingsacrosshealthand socialcare
Thereare6spacesavailableonthispilotprogramme, whichwillseesuccessfulcandidatesspendatotalof 18monthsworkingin6differentrolesin6differentcare settings,with3monthsspentineachrole.Ifsuccessful, thisschemecouldhelpusattractnewpeopleintosocial carebygivingthemtheopportunitytotryoutdifferent roles.
Quick Reference Useful Websites and contact numbers
Website Telephone
Somerset Carers website
www somersetcarers org Visit the Carers Hub for a huge directory of local support and resources, searchable by condition. 0800 31 68 600
Spark Online Carers Groups
Spark online Carers Groups
www.sparksomerset.org.uk/ onlinecarersgroup Email:cath.holloway@sparksomerset.org.uk
https://www.sparksomerset. org.uk/online carers group
Cath Holloway 07951 944420
Carers UK www.carersuk.org 020 7378 4999
Citizens Advice
Spark online Carers Groups
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/ looking after people/carers help and support/ 03444 111 444 NHS www.nhs.uk/conditions/social care and support guide/practical tips if you care for someone/ 111
https://www.sparksomerset. org.uk/online carers group
Somerset Direct www.somerset.gov.uk/social care and health/ For Adult Social Care, Carers Assessments & Blue Badge Scheme blue badge@somerset.gov.uk
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
www.somersetft.nhs.uk/carers service and triangle of care/ Support to unpaid carers and family members who look after people with mental health problems
0300 123 2224
Spark online Carers Groups
01749 836 606 carers trust https://carers.org/ 0300 772 9600 Age UK www.ageuk.org.uk 0800 88 22 00
https://www.sparksomerset. org.uk/online carers group Spark online Carers Groups
https://www.sparksomerset. org.uk/online carers group