We had 28 members today joining the carers session. Everyone was looking forward to meeting Dame Esther Rantzen. The meeting started promptly. Lisa welcomed everyone including the Trustees Dr Angela and Valerie. Lisa also welcomed a visitor Councillor Saira Don who is also a colleague of Lisa. Saira is a care home manager of 2 homes which specialise in looking after people with autism and other special needs and dementia. Lisa then introduced and welcomed Dame Esther giving an overview of her life achievements and then asked Esther to say a few words. Esther who was not sure what she wanted to talk about decided to take a vote and gave members a choice. It was then decided for Esther to talk about her charity - The Silver Line.

Members thought she came over very natural and good fun. When Esther left the meeting at about 7.30pm, Lisa then started the usual meeting asking each of the members in turn if they had anything they wanted to discuss.

The discussions were about visiting care homes and some members felt that care homes are probably worried about taking any decisions because of their Insurance. Cllr Saira mentioned that as a care home manager she was able to make decisions that were in the best interests of her residents and also meant that family members were still able to visit. Saira continued to explain that she did put in place Covid measures to make sure that families were still able to visit their loved ones and this meant for example a dedicated room when family members entered the building to change their clothes. Members were very impressed to hear about this and thought that other care homes could also use their discretion. Members felt however that care home providers were misinterpreting the Government guidelines and making their own additional rules.

Other members also thought that if there were quicker tests then this would solve the problem if care homes were given the means to provide quick tests.

Other discussions were about wheelchairs. One of the carers wanted to know how she could adapt her wheelchair to make it easier to push like an electric wheelchair. Lots of suggestions were discussed and Lisa said that she would also investigate and provide further help.

Another discussion was about one of the members experience with their loved one at the A&E. The hospital would not allow the family members to stay with their loved one and was sent home. However the hospital then realised they were having difficulties in communicating and had to call back the family member. Members felt that this was totally unacceptable and hospitals should allow a family member who is a carer to stay with their loved one. If a mother is allowed to stay with her child then there should be no difference. Lisa said that she would raise this matter when there was an opportunity at her next council Health committee meetings.

Lisa thanked everyone and especially Saira for attending.

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We had 20 participants today. Everyone was excited to hear Yuri Sabatini – the Italian Opera singer. Lisa welcomed everyone and the new members from the Midlands. Lisa’s virtual background today was at the Sydney Opera House siting in the main circle. Everyone liked that.

Yuri started promptly at 3pm. His singing was beautiful and everyone really enjoyed his choice of music and how before he starts to sing the next song he gives a short story about the meaning of the song he is about to sing. Everyone felt as if they were truly sitting in the Opera House. Lisa unmuted everyone at the end and members gave a huge applause to Yuri.

The session then followed with Richard Kravetz who did some chair Yoga exercises which everyone always enjoy. Lisa then reminded everyone about the carers meeting in the evening and on Wednesday if anyone wanted to dress up in a Halloween costume especially as it was a few days before Halloween.

Lisa then called out the Bingo numbers and today's winners was Pamela and John. As they had 3 wins they are now the winners for the Bingo 5 Game.

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We had 22 members today and we also had a visitor – Gay Saunders (community care co-ordinator) from Mosaic Reform Synagogue in Harrow.

It was also a pleasure to see Charlyn from The Rotary Club of Hendon. Lisa welcomed everyone. Everyone was very chatty today which was lovely. Ian James our music entertainer then joined us and as usual gave a great performance making everyone smile and sing along.

Eon Walters then joined, getting everyone exercising. It’s great to see everyone taking part.

Lisa then took over and showed everyone a picture quiz today to name the Royal Family faces. Lisa gave a few hints to each face which made it easier. Pam & John and Suzanne & Sheila got the highest quiz scores today. Lisa then called out the Bingo numbers and today’s winner was Fulvia.

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Today we had 26 members. We also had a visit from Nigel Wray who is our Patron. It was a great pleasure to see him and all the members were also delighted to see him. Lisa welcomed Nigel and then Nigel said a few words of encouragement to everyone, saying that in these difficult times we all need to focus on something that we enjoy doing and we will get through this. Nigel stayed for the whole session and enjoyed the Music quiz, the Yoga exercises and the general knowledge quiz after.

Just before he left he said how he enjoyed the session and was pleased that he got quite a few of the music quiz songs right. As usual are music quiz with the digital dice was a success and members always laugh when Mark our technical master behind the scenes spins the dice a few times to get a higher score.

Richard also was great with the Yoga exercises and his questions today were 5 questions about the ‘Saturday Night Fever’ film and then 5 general knowledge questions naming TV Shows of the 1960’s. The winners for the quiz were Gina and Chris.

Lisa then called out the Bingo numbers and the winners today were Stephen and Brenda.

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Thank you to Kevin who chaired this evening's Carers meeting:

As Lisa had a Council meeting that clashed with the DCUK Tuesday evening carers meeting initially tonight’s meeting was cancelled. Recognising the value of these meetings and owning a Zoom account, Lisa agreed for me to host and chair tonight’s meeting.

There were 14 participants who were assured this was a confidential space to air what was on their mind regarding their carer’s role. With no fixed agenda I invited everyone in the virtual room to introduce themselves explain who they care for, naming a major challenge and any positives in their role. This was meant to be an icebreaker, but given some complex issues bought up with each participant having a say, this took us to 8pm.

What was evident everyone’s experience was different. Dementia is not a “one size fits all” and each individual needs to be looked at specifically how this dreadful condition affects them.

There were some common themes. The major challenge is the demands of the loved one with 24/7 care. A carer not being able to even make a private phone call without the cared for person demanding attention.The lack of freedom provides a great strain, which has been accelerated due the Pandemic with fewer options of external activities.

A number of participants mentioned the difficulties of their cared for person being compliant in drinking liquids needing to keep them hydrated. Dr Angela recommended, if water is refused try providing more soups, jellies, sorbets and supply liquids in small glasses.

Everyone was able to find a positive, although for some not so easy to find, It was mentioned how the cared for enjoy certain TV programmes and other activities e.g. arts and crafts for stimulation. For some DCUK Zoom sessions provide an enjoyable social outlet.

It was unanimously agreed the biggest positive is the privilege of caring for a loved one and adding quality to their lives. There was a brief discussion about POA (Power of Attorney). This could be a theme for a future session.

I finished off stating my Harrow Cares Card arrived. This officially identifies me as a carer. I will urge through Lisa that Barnet follows suit.

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  1. Vitual Dementia Club session - 20th Oct 2020
  2. Vitual Dementia Club session - 19th Oct 2020
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