Our Dementia Carers Support Group – How We Are Coping with Lockdown and Beyond

Oh how we are missing our weekly get togethers!  Our carefully planned Spring/Summer 2020 schedule did not even make it to the printer, as outings, celebrations and events had to be postponed or cancelled.  Who would have believed this possible when we entered 2020 full of plans and projects for the coming year?

Steps were quickly taken to maintain contact with each other: – An “Oor Pals” Newletter is regularly produced which provides essential continuity within the group, relaying important information, as well as providing a few laughs along the way!  Our Group Co-ordinator and volunteers have made weekly telephone contact with group members, and it is hoped that this contact will develop as restrictions ease, in accordance with  Scottish Government guidelines.

We have been so grateful for Co op Community Funding (awarded in 2019) which has allowed us to provide the following to our group members, in order to help alleviate the problems of isolation, stress and boredom

: provision of jigsaws, colouring books/coloured pencils/sharpeners and puzzle books

: deliveries of plants, compost and gardening materials to encourage outdoor activity

: gifting of photo books for those members who have been with us for a number of years  (We look forward to taking more photos in the future, as a record of our happy times spent together, so that photo books can be gifted to our newer members also)

As usual, so much going on behind the scenes in order to help improve group communications until we can all meet again safely.  Looking forward to it!

Grateful thanks, also to Rhona Bell of the Tasty Toasty, and Dunbar Rotary who recently funded the delivery of delicious Takeaway Afternoon Teas to group members and volunteers, to celebrate both National Volunteers Week and National Carers Week.

 

Arts & Crafts at Home – April 2020

Thanks to the Co op Community Fund (of which we were a beneficiary last year), Dunbar Dementia Network have been able to distribute jigsaws and arts & craft materials to group members confined to home during the current pandemic.

Thank you to all who nominated DDN as their chosen charity.  You have brought a wee bit of joy to many households.

Cancellation of our Weekly Carers Group Meetings – 16 March 2020

IN LIGHT OF THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS SITUATION, IT IS WITH MUCH REGRET THAT OUR WEEKLY CARERS GROUP MEETINGS HELD ON WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY IN THE BLEACHINGFIELD CENTRE, HAVE BEEN CANCELLED FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

HOWEVER, WE WILL CONTINUE TO CHAT AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER OVER THE TELEPHONE,  AND LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING UP AGAIN AS SOON AS WE CAN.  FOR ANY ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT:

Lorna Bunney, Group Co ordinator on 01620 870632 or email dunbardementiacarers@gmail.com

Stirling University Dementia Services Development Centre Workshop – 13 February 2020, The Bleachingfield Centre Dunbar

 

Lynda Hutton, Education Officer with Stirling University’s Dementia Services Development Centre, held the first of two workshops for Dunbar Dementia Carers Support Group members, who were joined for the session by volunteers from North Berwick Day Centre and several other Carers from within the community.

Topics covered included:

: Understanding dementia

: Implications of a diagnosis

: Understanding the impact of the environment

: Addressing communication issues and strategies that       can be used to better understand behaviour, which can help in caring and support roles

: Preventing stress and distress

: Managing common symptoms for people living at home

: Preventing crisis situations leading to inappropriate hospital admissions

:Promoting support networks through fellow carers and shared experiences

An excellent session, which attendees found really helpful and informative.  A second workshop will be held for our Thursday group on 22 April 2020.