On the 4th July as Americans celebrate, I was wished Happy Christmas. Where do I work?
I have the privilege of working in an E.M.I (Elderly Mentally Infirmed) unit. A purpose built and staffed environment to work with people who have Dementia, Alzheimers (commonest form of dementia) and provide palliative care.
In recent undercover tv documentaries I’ve witnessed sub standard colleagues abuse people in their care. It broke my heart and also made me extremely angry that we are shed in this light, that there are still people who think it’s “ok” to deal with vulnerable people in this way…… It’s NOT ok.
I met a woman who used to work in the caring field, she commented about my job ‘it’s not their fault they’ve lived too long’ So true, when they were young, fighting fit and contributing to society, the last thing they wanted or envisioned was to be a burden…..or eventually to even forget and be a shadow of their former selves.
They apologise constantly “I’m sorry, I’m sorry”. Why do they need to be sorry. It’s not their fault….. But a small part of them clicks in and realises they aren’t the same.
The repetition where they hope just once they’ll maybe get the order right again, but sadly the order is lost and that tea is going to be made in the kettle because they remember part of the process but they forgot the teapot part and they put the teabag there instead.
Where the little old lady talks constantly and explains she’s reading out the ‘typing in her head’
The gentleman who worked in finances who needs to have a pen and paper at all times despite that he’s forgotten what he wants to write down
The woman who can’t string a sentence together yet if you start singing a hymn she knows and sings every verse and chorus
The woman who’s paranoid delusions makes her feel her face is falling apart.
The independent old lady, who now phones her daughters about intruders and robberies…… The constant checking and rechecking for safety.
What’s true? What’s delusion?
The family themselves with worry, on a list, awaiting assessment, no where to turn, no one to talk to…….
The son who faithfully visits his mum in her bungalow, who finds her wandering the streets in her nightie, door wide open, letters in the toaster, money hidden under the carpet, cupboards full of tinned peaches. Decisions to be made……
The stories from family, friends, patients……I could go on and on. It’s a field that is sadly lacking in finance as they try to juggle care in the community and care in purpose built units. A field where some GP’s are pro-active, others who are not concerned the way I feel they should be. A field that, but for the Alzheimers society and the advice, assistance and guidance they provide, seems too vast for the carer and their loved one.
So I’m more than happy to promote Alzheimers awareness week.
For more information re Alzheimers and the help available please read the featured articles here
Also the Alzheimers society at alzheimers.org.uk/
Soapgirl
