‘If you feel it, just do it’ is the advice of Feyi Raimi-Abraham. ‘Don’t stop and wait to have all the ducks in a row for your business idea, because it will never happen’… Read more
The charity Dementia Adventure is providing free regular online dementia skills sessions for family and friends caring for somebody with dementia, as well staff and volunteers who support people with dementia as part of their work… Read more
A first-class resource for everyone involved in ministry among older people has just been published by the National Centre for Post Qualifying Social Work (NCPQSW) and Professional Practice, in partnership with Faith in Later Life… Read more
People living with dementia are often restless and can pluck at their clothes and bedding. It has been found that if they have something to hold or twiddle with they are stimulated and become calmer. Many hospitals are looking for people to knit hand muffs with interesting bits and bobs attached inside and out - ribbons, buttons, threads, beads and so on. The hand muffs are basically knitted tubes from wools of different colours and... Read more
It’s thanks to Martha Pollard, who is Dementia Befriending and Carer Support Programmes Manager at the Eric Liddell Centre (ELC) in Edinburgh, that we came across this resource: A Pocket Guide to Arts Activities for People with Dementia. Martha works with a group called ‘Lunch Breaks’, which is attended by people living with dementia, and carers. The programme offers a range of activities to suit varying interests, she says. ‘Connectivity grows over the shared... Read more
The summer months can sometimes be a lonely time for older people as some activities may have closed for a break and families are away on holiday, so the idea of a 'Holiday at Home' is that those who attend will feel like they are on holiday, although they will be back home in their own beds each night. At St John's, Harborne, we have run our own version of this - 'Prime Time' - ... Read more
Sometimes it is helpful to have icebreakers, such as some questions, to get the conversation flowing at events and discussion groups. The Ugly Duckling Company's Table Talk for Third Agers has now been followed by Table Talk for Fourth Agers (both priced at £24.99). Here are some examples of the kinds of topics featured and questions posed: Trivia: best decade—1950s, 1960s or 1970s? Celebrating: best day of your life? Treasured memories: describe your mother's kitchen... Read more
Those of you interested in activities that benefit brain function in later life may enjoy learning more about Brainfit Connect, which aims to improve the quality of life of older people in a residential or care home setting. BrainFit Connect provides residents in care homes, ‘even those with mild to moderate dementia’, with an extensive range of mentally stimulating activities connections with the wider world through easy to use touch screen technology. It has... Read more
This pioneering work for mission to seniors was started by Liz Stacey in 2003, and since then has flourished, with Liz being inducted as the Pastoral Coordinator for Mission to Seniors in September 2007 at Winchester Baptist Church (WBC). The ministry to older people at WBC has an annual programme, which inculdes: a monthly Silver Service a monthly Silver Seeker's Group an annual Holiday at Home a gospel concert and a Songs of Praise pastoral... Read more
Dementia Enabler in the Diocese of Lichfield, Sarah Thorpe, is supporting churches in northern Shropshire in becoming more dementia-friendly churches at the heart of dementia-friendly communities. You can read her blog here . Sarah is willing to share the dementia-friendly churches material that she is using in the Diocese of Lichfield. One document is a simple 'Passport', being used as a tool to have a discussion about favourite hymns, services, prayers and Bible verses, as... Read more
Immanuel Church in Southbourne, Bournemouth, is pioneering work with dementia. Many churches employ youth workers and children & families workers but Immanuel also employs a worker dedicated to working with the older members of the community with a special emphasis on those living with dementia. Recognising the importance of spirituality for those with dementia, Immanuel has planted a church in one of the larger care homes in Southbourne with weekly Bible studies and fortnightly services... Read more
