News items from August 2014
Autumn walks for people living with dementia
Do you care for someone living with dementia who would like to join in a gentle guided walk in a nature setting?
Dementia Adventure in partnership with Leicester City Council are running free walks in Leicester’s parks and Aylestone Riverside area every Tuesday and Thursday at 11am throughout September and October.
Click here for Riverside Walks
Led by a specially trained leader, these walks are friendly, informal and all about enjoying the outdoors and nature, so that those living with dementia and their carers can enjoy an outdoor experience with all the benefits that brings.
Kath Pyke, East Midlands based Project Leader with Dementia Adventure said:
“Sometimes people need a special invitation to either visit somewhere new or look at how much a place has to offer through fresh eyes. Research shows that spending time in nature and the outdoors can be especially calming for people living with dementia, with all the sights, sounds and smells. It’s also an opportunity for a carer to spend time in a lovely place, find out new things and meet new people.”
Although Dementia Adventure asks people to register in advance, they always keep a few spaces available in case people simply want to turn up on the day and find out what the walks are all about. All walks are designed for use by wheel chair users and have access to toilets and shelter. You’re welcome to bring along a drink and a sandwich to enjoy afterwards.
The Leicester walks are part of a national programme generously supported by the People’s Postcode Lottery.
Call Dementia Adventure to find out more and book your free place on 01245 230661 or 07531 215 918 or email [email protected]
Vista courses for people with sight loss
Vista is running an Assessment and Visual Impairment Rehabilitation Course Programme from October to December 2014, with the aim of improving the health and wellbeing of people with sight loss and increase the choice and control of their lives.
Cookery Courses
The programme includes two day cookery courses to give people with sight loss the skills and techniques they need to use kitchen utensils and assistive technology safely and effetively when cooking. There is a charge of £7.50 per day (£15 for a two day course) to cover the cost of ingredients.
Information Days
The programme also includes a range of informative talks and presentations on a variety of topics. Each session provides an opportunity for questions and many feature equipment demonstrations.
Living with Sight Loss Course
This three day course covers a wide range of topics and provides information and practical advice for living with sight loss.
Run by Vista's rehabilitation team, the course will:
• Tell you all about Vista and our services
• Let you know what benefits are available to you
• Provide information and practical advice for everyday living
• Update you on communication and technology
• Provide information and advice for independent mobility
• Include a day in our teaching kitchen to learn new skills whilst preparing a 2 course meal
Transport can be provided.
To find out more about any of the courses above and for a booking form please download the programme guide. (Please note: it will download as a Word document to your computer).
FREE Mindfulness course for carers - starting 17th November
We're holding a five week Mindfulness course for carers - starting on Monday 17th November at Gorse Covert Community Centre, Maxwell Drive, Loughborough, LE11 4RZ.
The course will run on Mondays on 17th November, 24th November, 1st December, 8th December and 15th December from 10am – 12noon.
The course is FREE to carers and brings:
• Reduction in anxiety
• Emotional resilience
• Self awareness
• Improved health and well-being
• Living more in the present moment
To book a place on the course or to find out more please call us on 084 689 9510 or email [email protected]
Free support programme for carers - starting 1st October
The Carers Centre Leicestershire & Rutland is running a FREE five-week support programme for carers - starting on Wednesday 1st October in Loughborough.
Who cares? National research on the role of male carers
The role of carer is traditionally portrayed as female, meaning that the majority of information and support available may overlook the needs of male carers, of which there are perhaps more than tradition may have us believe.
A report carried out by national charity, Carers Trust, and the Men’s Health Forum, states “the 2011 Census found that in England and Wales, 42.3% of carers [were] male.”
Over half of the male carers who participated in the report, titled “Husband, Partner, Dad, Son, Carer?” said that they “felt the needs of male carers are different to the needs of female carers.”
This suggests that changes in the types of support available could greatly help this somewhat hidden group of carers.
“Support that male carers have chosen to use has focused on practical help and individualised support, and social activities.” the report found.
This may be considered to differ from the typically female-focused support usually on offer, and highlights the changes needed in order to better serve the men in the caring community.
Whilst there are a range of differences regarding the issues faced by male and female carers, perhaps the end goal could be for men and women to be considered a team, integrating all needs and perspectives, working towards the same aim: to care.
“It doesn’t matter who you are, the pressure is still the same.”
Click here to find out more about the report
We'd love to hear from you if you have any thoughts on the issues raised by the report - whether you're male or female.
This story was written by intern Alex Mawon-Harris.
Could Shared Lives help you?
The Shared Lives service is run by Leicestershire County Council and is designed to support a wide range of people including adults with learning disabilities, older people, adults with mental health conditions, adults with physical and sensory disabilities, adults with dementia and adults with drug and alcohol dependency.
Shared Lives services include long term support, short breaks and daytime support and are all about households sharing their lives, families, home, interests, experience and skills with people who need some help and support to live their lives to the full.
The person is welcomed as a member of the family and supported by a Shared Lives Carer who is checked, approved, trained and monitored by the Shared Lives Service.
Shared Lives focuses on what the person wants and needs to live their life and fulfil their ambitions. It's highly personalised and is delivered by local people in their own communities, using their homes as a base.
To find out more please visit www.leics.gov.uk/sharedlives or download the Shared Lives leaflet.
If you'd like to find out more about becoming a Shared Lives Carer yourself, please download the leaflet for carers.
You can also call Leicestershire County Council on 0116 305 9240 or email [email protected]
Care for someone with autism?
The National Autistic Society is running FREE information days to talk to carers and families of people on the autism spectrum about changes in adult social care.
Government reform of adult social care is focused on the ‘personalisation’ of support, and personal budgets, with the aim of empowering people to choose and control the services they receive. This will affect all those who receive support, whether they pay for it themselves or if it is provided by statutory services.
The information sharing day will cover community care (from the basics of what it is, to how it can be accessed) The Care Act, Person-Centred Planning, Support Planning, Personal Budgets, Personal Health Budgets, Direct Payments, and how personalisation can work for you and the person you care for.
The next family information sharing day near you will be on:
8th October 2014 at 10am (for a 10.30 start) until 2.30pm
At:
The Brite Centre
Braunstone Avenue
Leicester
LE3 1LE
Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
To find out more please call Rachel Ashton on 07442 498 012 or email [email protected]
