Category: Blog

We had 24 carers to this evening’s meeting, Lisa welcomed everyone and gave a brief update about vaccinations and also informing them further about her recent question at Council meeting regarding unpaid carers who should be listed in the first 2 priority groups for vaccination. Lisa had no response yet for this to report.

Lisa then asked Andrew Wrensch – Community Development Manager at Carlton Court Care Home to talk to everyone regarding – training as Lisa and Andrew had spoken before the meeting about providing various training to members at the group. Andrew agreed that he would be happy to do this. Andrew gave a list of the various subjects that he could provide as training which also included some certified training like – Life Support and First Aid. Members were delighted to hear this news and asked if the list could be provided. Lisa said that she would be happy to share the list of training with everyone when she receives this from Andrew. The first subject decided unanimously for training was ‘Understanding distress behaviour’ and this would then lead to the following week’s training about ‘Managing/Avoiding distress behaviour’.

The various subjects raised by Andrew prompted various other conversations raised by members and as we also had our Trustee and GP Dr Angela Parker at the meeting, members were also able to ask Dr Angela for some medical advice.

Andrew also mentioned that the NHS are now sending Lateral Flow Home Testing Kits to care homes so that all the carers are tested before they start work. As the test only takes 20 minutes to give a result, this is very helpful especially as it is 65% – 72% accurate.

Other discussions were about when lockdown measures will be lifted and places to go for walks and relax. Andrew mentioned that he had 2 horses at Lewis of London at Fold Farm in Barnet. Members were very interested and asked that they could be sent more details. Andrew said that he would email Lisa with details to pass on. There is also the best ice cream shop there made locally.

http://www.highlivingbarnet.com/fold-farm-ice-cream-farm/

Everyone thanked Andrew and Lisa for a very interesting and informative meeting.

We had 31 members today which included 4 new members. Lisa welcomed everyone and also informed them about The Barnet Group awards ceremony which is on Thursday 28th January. As Dementia Club UK has been nominated for Charity of the Year award, the results of the winner will be announced on Thursday. Lisa said that whatever happens she wanted to thank those who nominated the charity. Lisa also mentioned that as she would have to leave early today to go to a work meeting, she will call the Bingo straight after the Karaoke and then Rachel will then take over with the exercise session.

The Karaoke session was great as usual and it was lovely to see members singing and dancing. Lisa and Mark always try to find any song requests which are emailed in advance which then makes it very special for members. Lisa then called out the Bingo numbers and today’s winner was Margaret Shine.

Mark then welcomed Rachel who took the exercise part of the session which everyone enjoyed. Mark then thanked Rachel and the session ended.

Today we had 26 members. Lisa started the karaoke repeat Karaoke session at 2pm and at 2.30pm everyone looked forward for a catch up especially after a weekend. It was lovely to see Sheila a Rotary of Golders Green volunteer.

Katie Paine then joined us. She always likes to have a bit of chat with members before she starts. She was prepared today with a Scottish Burns Night theme of songs which was really great. She not only spoke with a Scottish accent but she also dressed the part. Everyone really loved it and sang along.

Eon Walters then joined us for the chair exercise session. Eon is just great and everyone really enjoy the workout.

Lisa then showed members 2 short funny videos and then followed this with a picture quiz which was about curry. Lisa got members to shout out the answers. It was then time for Bingo and the winners today were Fulvia and Colin. It was great to have 2 winners.

We had 23 members today. Lisa started the Karaoke session at 2pm which is a repeat of Tuesdays. A few of the members including Ava and Lisa had fun showing their pet toys to the camera. The chat session then started at 2.30pm and as usual this is always a good chat. James Le Bec and Joy then joined the session ready to entertain. James decided today to do a medley of songs to start with and then the music quiz which was 10 music quiz questions, naming 10 songs played by clarinet. Sandra and Gina got 9 out of 10 for this part of the quiz. James then finishes off with another quick name famous names with the letter ‘C’ and today it was to name men and women. The Dice was very kind today as Mark rolled the dice for each question and the total score was a record high of 126. James finished off with singing a favourite song for everyone to singalong to.

Richard Kravetz was then ready to start the Yoga exercises and as usual everyone enjoys. Richard then continues with a general knowledge quiz and today it was an entertainment quiz. It was a challenging quiz but Richard got everyone chatting and remembering some of the old entertaining programmes like Faulty Towers. The member with the highest score was Gina and Chris who got 6 out of 10 and Richard’s make believe prize was a bottle of Johnny Walker and a set of Faulty Towers box set.

Lisa then called out the Bingo numbers and the winner was Helen together with Chrystalla and Ava.

We would like to thank Kevin Ziants to chaired this evening Carer’s meeting

22 participants participated in a productive 1 1/2 hours session led by Kevin Ziants. In attendance was Andrew from a Care Home in Barnet and Margaret Coyle, Admiral Nurse, Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust.

The first hour was taken up discussing the vaccine. What was evident there were many inconsistencies on how this is applied. In some instances, carers are included with their cared for person and others where they are treated as separate entities. The advice given was to keep contacting your GP explaining your position. Kevin provided link:

https://www.omnicalculator.com/health/vaccine-queue-uk which gives an indicator of currently when vaccine is due for individuals.

Andrew stated vaccines have been offered to all staff and residents of his care home. Some have declined for personal reasons and they cannot be forced to take it. This has proved a major challenge.

Other issues discussed was how to apply for a blue badge , how to register as a carer and how to claim attendance and carers allowance. Andrew and Margaret were able to offer valuable guidance.

The general stress of being a Carer was raised. Margaret stated to try not to rationalise the irrational and value the power of the now when engaging with your loved one. Most of all be kind to yourself especially when matters do not go the way you would like.

All participants contributed in some way and were able to take something away from the session.

We had 21 members today and some new members. Lisa welcomed everyone and also gave an update about her meeting at the council in the evening. She told members that she was going to speak at Council to highlight that unpaid carers who look after over 80 year olds are not on the Government priority order list for vaccination and should be at the top of the list with care homes. Members were very pleased to hear that and wished Lisa well.

Members were happy chatting as usual and it was lovely to see one of the new members who also introduced her granddaughter Amelia who was also then introduced to Helen’s granddaughter Ava. It was also lovely to watch members pets who are very entertaining. Helen also introduced a new game she recently bought called ‘Intelligent Magnetic Building Blocks set’ which gives options to build various shapes.

Jo, Grazia and Enzo also joined today and Jo announced that it was Enzo’s 90th birthday on Friday. Lisa therefore asked members to all sing Happy Birthday and Lisa played the Happy Birthday song.

It was now 3pm and Lisa & Mark started the Karaoke session. Everyone always look forward to the new Tuesday Karaoke session and happy to hear their song requests.

Rachel was then ready to start the exercises and today she asked members from last week to bring scarves or handkerchiefs and hats which are used as part of her exercise routines to popular music. Everyone enjoys the exercises with Rachel especially the line dancing at the end.

Lisa then continued with a couple of quick quizzes and then called out the Bingo numbers. Lisa played 2 games today as yesterday was missed. The winners were – Karin. Zena and Fulvia

We had 26 members today. Lisa welcomed some new members and then started the Karaoke session at 2pm. The chat session then started at 2.30pm and Lisa welcomed everyone and introduced the new members. Everyone enjoyed their chat and were ready for their music entertainment when Katie Paine joined. Katie did something slightly different today. She sang various theme songs and asked members to jot down on a piece of paper which film the song was from. Everyone enjoyed singing along and at the end Lisa unmuted everyone and Katie asked them to shout out the answers. Next week Katie will be doing Scotland them songs for Burns Night and may be members would like to wear some Tartan clothes.

Eon was then ready to start as soon as Katie finished and as usual everyone enjoys the exercises with Eon and gave great feedback at the end.

As Lisa had to leave promptly at 4pm to take her dad to have his Covid vaccination, Kevin one of the carers had prepared a picture quiz of different people to name. Everyone did very well and this followed with another chat.

Thank you to Kevin for stepping in and doing a quiz.

We had 26 members today. It was also good to see our volunteers Melvyn and Annette and also Andrew from the Church in New Barnet. The Karaoke session went well and then the chat session followed until 3pm when our music entertainer James le Bec and his partner Joy joined us. James was asked if he could play an Elvis song today as one of the members had an Elvis T Shirt on. James was happy to oblige and also sang a few other favourites before starting the music quiz. The music quiz is so popular and everyone enjoys it especially as the challenge each week is to beat the previous week score. The music quiz winners were Helen, Pam and Kevin.

Richard Kravetz then joined us to start the chair Yoga exercises. Richard always makes exercising fun. Richard then follows on with his quiz questions and today he chose 5 questions of events in 2020 and the 5 other questions were about ‘cheese’. The quiz winners were Pam and John who won a pretend prize of a – ‘Gordon’s Gin vaccine’ which made everyone laugh.

Lisa then called out the Bingo numbers and to everyone’s surprise after 2 minutes, Stephen and Brenda called out Bingo. It was so quick, everyone wanted a second game. The second winner was then Helen and Chrystalla and Helen’s granddaughter Ava.

We had 20 members this evening. Lisa welcomed everyone and started the meeting.

Lisa mentioned first about recent WhatsApp messages received about changes of their Terms and Conditions. Mark mentioned that their change of terms meant that they would have the opportunity to trawl peoples messages and watch you whilst you are browsing and sell your details. Lisa then mentioned that she would not be accepting the new terms and as such will no longer be using WhatsApp and everyone should also be careful. The worry some members had was if perhaps they would be hacked.

Various discussions then continued and all members were very happy to be able to raise their individual concerns and discuss the difficulties and challenges. This was really nice as this is the whole point of the carers group meeting to be able to talk freely and feel that you are not alone.

We had 25 members today. Lisa welcomed members and everyone enjoyed having their chat. These difficult times has proved how essential it is for people to be able to communicate. Feedback from members are so grateful for having this opportunity.

The Lisa & mark Karaoke Show then started at 3pm and Lisa had a few song requests today which she played and everyone enjoyed. One of the carers Helen also had her granddaughter Ava again who is also enjoying the sessions. She is so sweet and everyone loved to see her.

Rachel the exercise instructor was then ready to start after the Karaoke session. Rachel is still very new but her style of workout has shone through to members and they love it. Her choice of music is very motivational and getting members to learn some new routines and a bit of salsa is great.

Lisa then called out the Bingo numbers and the winner today was Stephen and Brenda.