Mindfulness can help develop inner calm and reduce anxiety but how to get started.... Here are some practices that could be helpful for carers starting looking for some simple practices.
Mum, me and dementia: Learning the important things in life
The Hunter Centre asked me to write about my experience of caring for my mother. As an organisation that supports people living with dementia and their carers, they wanted to bring a personal perspective to navigating this sometimes challenging area. I wrote the following post for them. It is a summary of my caring journey … Continue reading Mum, me and dementia: Learning the important things in life
Three top tips for carers of people with dementia
In Carers Week 2019, I highlight three must-do, top tips for family carers of people living with dementia.
Bridgeway’s Angels
Yesterday, we said a sad goodbye to one of our regular carers from the Council’s Bridgeway service. Today, a new carer started. We didn't get off to a great start.
So Long 2018 and Thanks for all the Support
2018 was quite a year for me and my mum. After over two years I brought mum back to her own home. As I look back, I am extremely grateful to all those who have supported us, particularly one doctor...
Decision Time: Does Mum Stay Home?
Mum has been back at her former care home since last Friday. This has enabled me to attend a mindfulness teacher training course in Oxford and take holiday with my husband, Jack. After six weeks looking after mum, I felt physically and emotionally drained when I dropped her off. As I drove away I felt … Continue reading Decision Time: Does Mum Stay Home?
Maintaining Routines: Nights, Mornings and Social Services
On Sunday night after I had gone to bed, mum had a fall in the care home. Going to the toilet, groggy with sleep, she tumbled forward and banged her head on the basin as she fell. The care home staff alerted me after they called an ambulance. I pulled on some clothes and drove … Continue reading Maintaining Routines: Nights, Mornings and Social Services
Bringing Mum Home: Emotions and Preparations
Since we decided to bring mum home I have experienced a wide range of strong emotions. Mostly a feeling of relief that we got the right decision and an eagerness to get started; but also occasionally, fear and foreboding about my world getting smaller and having less freedom to go back to my own home. … Continue reading Bringing Mum Home: Emotions and Preparations
Choosing a Care Home
Choosing a care home for a family member living with dementia, may be the most important decision you ever make on their behalf. Of course if they have the capacity to make the decision, your role might be to support them. Either way, the more informed you are the better. The choice will have huge … Continue reading Choosing a Care Home
New Course for Family Carers of People with Dementia
It’s been several weeks since I attended a valuable and engaging programme for carers of people living with dementia. It is a new initiative, and this was the first in a series of pilot courses run by Dementia Carers Count. Since the three-day programme, that took place in a comfortable hotel in Swindon, I have been … Continue reading New Course for Family Carers of People with Dementia
Julia's dementia blog 