Delivering Dementia Care Module at York Uni.

Yesterday I was at York University. I’d been asked by the lovely Helen Roberts to help with a dementia module for clinicians.It was an early start as I was due to be part of the morning session from 9.30-12.30.

Mornings have always been mine favourite part of the day. I think I’ve always been a lark. I remember being the first to arrive at school and sitting by the tennis courts with a flask of tea and my lunch time sandwiches being demolished for breakfast………….😊 I love seeing the world wake up and much prefer this to night time.

Helen met me at the bus stop and we made our way to the room chatting merrily about her imminent retirement……if ever there was someone who wasn’t going to ‘retire’, it’s Helen. I’m sure she’ll be snapped up to do other things…..

A few of the students were already there and waiting and it wasn’t long before everyone had arrived. They’d already had 2 of the sessions and Helen had sent me a list of questions that had come from the first 2. So the first half of the morning was me going through the things I wanted them to hear around language, perceptions, emotions and the importance of not disabling.

I’m sure I went off piste a few times, especially when someone referred to services – I may not have much of a short term memory, but how the staff made me feel at Hull Royal is still very clear in my head……..

Once I’d finished that section we sent them off for a coffee. Helen had brought a flask and 2 cups so we could have a cuppa tea – always welcome😊
Once they returned, they were more animated and relaxed and I started to go through the list of questions they’d sent me. These ranged from questions about services, to how to talk to someone with dementia,  detail about my memory room, to ‘How do I plan for the future?’

In answering the last question, I stressed the importance of ‘talking’ to love ones.

‘How will family and friends know how you feel and what you’d like in the future if you don’t openly talk about it’

TALKING, is one of the most important things people can do. By talking I saved my daughters going through the emotional trauma of making a decision as we’ve already discussed and have all my thoughts down in writing in my LPA.

I had such a nice time and looking at the amount they were writing, I think they learnt something from my ramblings…….

 

Helen on the right……