We had 17 members today. The longest day and suppose to be Summer but the constant rain and cooler weather is depressing. Stephen however one of the carers cheered everyone up telling us about his holiday in the Lake District with his wife Brenda and together with Fulvia and her husband.
We had no Katie for music entertainment today, so Lisa and Mark provided the usual Karaoke session and then members suggested to do more singing which Lisa provided and also a picture quiz.
It was then time for Eon’s exercise to music which is always great and everyone enjoys working out. The session then followed with Kevin’s quiz which was quite challenging but fun. Jackie and Joan got 10 out of 10. Everyone thanked Kevin. Lisa then called out the Bingo numbers and the winner today was Colin and Rosetta.
We had 15 members this afternoon. This was the hottest day and most probably people were making the most of the day being out. It was good to see our volunteer Melvyn and also Andrew Mills. Everyone had a lovely chat before the Karaoke and then James Le Bec and Joy joined us for the music entertainment. James decided today to a music quiz on female singers. Everyone did really well in the quiz, but our winner was Chris and Gina with 9 out of 10. Richard Kravetz then joined us for the Yoga exercises and then this was followed with his quiz and as Father’s Day is on Sunday 20th Richard decided to do a Father’s Day quiz. There were 3 winners for the quiz – Chris and Gina, Pam and John and Jackie and Joan. Lisa then called out the Bingo numbers and the winner today was Colin Pulvernis.
We had 25 members this evening. Lisa welcomed everyone and also welcomed new members. There was no seminar organised by Andrew for this evening but Andrew was happy to answer any questions directed to him. One of the carers mentioned that she wanted to talk about Hallucinations if possible. Lisa therefore decided to start with this topic and then any other concerns from members could also be discussed after. Lisa started to talk about her own experiences with her mum’s hallucinations. Unfortunately, Dementia is a disease that cause symptoms that can cause hallucinations. Lisa talked about some of the challenges she experienced with her mum’s hallucinations and how she responded. A few members shared some experiences which were discussed.
Please see attached some very useful information and advice about Hallucinations which I have found and copied from the following website.
We had 17 members this afternoon. Members enjoyed their chat at the start and Kevin one of the carers announced that it was his 18 years wedding anniversary with Olivia. Everyone wished him a Happy Anniversary. The Karaoke then followed which everyone enjoyed singing along and then Ian James followed with his music entertainment. The session then followed with Eon Walters with the chair exercises and then Lisa called out the Bingo numbers. The winner was Rona and Sotiris.
We had 16 members. Sessions as from today are starting 2pm with chat time and then 2.30pm with Karaoke and then continuing with music entertainment. Members were happy with this change. At today’s chat session there was a lot of talk about flowers and members being busy in the garden during these very hot days.
Katie Paine then joined us straight after the Karaoke and was surprised to join in at the time when everyone was singing to Doris Day – Que Sera Sera. Katie sang as usual a variety of songs which everyone enjoyed. Eon then followed with the chair exercise session. There is no way anyone can fall asleep in Eon’s session as he makes sure everyone works out. Great workout and great fun at the same time.
Lisa then continued with a quiz which had tricky unusual answers. They were not easy but they were very interesting. Our quiz winners were Helen, Pam and Karin with 5 out of 10. Lisa then called out the Bingo numbers and the winner today was Sandra and Laurie.
This was a very hot and humid day. We had 18 members. The karaoke show started at 2pm followed by the chat session at 2.30pm. Lisa welcomed everyone and also a new care home – Chandler Court from Worcestershire. It was a pleasure to also see our volunteers Melvyn, Andrew Mills and our Trustee Dr Angela. As members joined slowly, Lisa decided to do a picture biscuits quiz which everyone liked. As more members then joined after everyone started to chat.
James Le Bec and Joy then joined us for the music entertainment and then the music quiz which as usual is always fun and challenging. Richard Kravetz then joined to do the Yoga and as it was a hot day, he did some cooling breathing exercises which was also fun. Richard then continued with a quiz and today his quiz was about Fish and Chips. There were a few winners with 10 out of 10 – Stephen and Brenda, Pam and John, and Joan.
Lisa then called out the Bingo numbers and today’s winner was Gina and Chris.
Lisa welcomed everyone and also Mike Rich CEO of Barnet Carers, Valerie and Dr Angela our Trustees, Andrew – who delivers our seminars and is also ‘Community Development Manager’ at Carlton Court Care Home and also Marcello the Manager of Christies Care Agency.
Lisa started with informing everyone about the special event on Friday 11th June at 2pm to 3pm which is during Carers week and also informed everyone that Theresa Villiers MP will also be joining us. At this point Lisa asked Mike if he had any other updates. Mike mentioned the important role carers have in the community. We have 20,000 carers in Barnet.
Mike also mentioned that there was a zoom event next Tuesday 15th June at 2pm to 3pm. The Royal Free Hospital Foundation Trust is determined to improve the experience of carers and those they care for. As part of this improvement programme, they are looking for the experience and opinions of carers who have used one of the hospitals in the group – The Royal Free, Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals. If you would like to join then please click on the link below provided by Mike and you will then be sent another link on the morning of the meeting.
Lisa then mentioned about the recent news regarding Aducanumab – a drug that targets cause rather than symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. This was in the news a few years ago but was unfortunately not successful in the trials. The drug tries to breakdown the plaque that build up in patients’ brains in early onset Alzheimer’s disease. It has been approved in the US and hopefully this will also be approved and used in the UK soon. Lisa then mentioned that Stephen had a 4 minute video about Aducanumab and also shows Stephen and his wife Brenda being interviewed by the Science Editor. Stephen and Brenda have volunteered to enter in clinical trials before and you can read about this on our website. Here is the video link below to watch;
It was now time for Andrew’s seminar and today’s topic was “People Handling” Andrew presented his slides discussing the importance of making sure any manual handling is done safely without injuring our backs. Andrew showed some pictures of our spine and the talked about the mechanics of how the spine works and how it can be injured. Andrew then showed a 4-minute video called ‘Child’s Play’ which showed how children instinctively knew the correct ways of lifting but when we grow up into adults we unfortunately get into bad habits and lift incorrectly. It was a very interesting video. Please see link of the Child’s Play video below;
There were a few questions after Andrew’s seminar and Lisa also went round asking everyone individually if they had any other matters to discuss. Lisa also mentioned that in her recent meeting at the council’s Adults and Safeguarding Committee, officers mentioned that people would no longer be just able to just turn up at the Finchley Memorial Hospital for non-urgent treatment. They would need to book an appointment by calling 111 or through their GP. Their aim is to reduce the pressures in the A&E hospitals. Lisa spoke at the committee stating that this would not work and people would end up going to the A&E hospitals for treatment. This would impact the A&E hospitals and add more pressure as people would find it difficult making appointments. Lisa received unanimous support Cross Party and the Chairman instructed officers to ask the Director of Public Health to email Lisa and discuss further.
Andrew then mentioned about a very good pillow that would assist someone who has fallen on the floor to safely get up again. Please see the link below for the pillow;
A member mentioned that she has tried to obtain the ‘Age UK Life Book’ but has been having problems. Lisa said that she would email Helen Newman CEO of Age UK Barnet and will hopefully provide a response at the next carers group meeting.
‘AGE UK LIFE BOOK’ can now be downloaded. It is now downloadable and printable so there’s no longer a need to send away for it. Lisa has done a bulk order and will hopefully get some hardcopies sent to her.
Lisa then mentioned that at her doctor’s surgery, she saw on the noticeboard a notice about ‘Do you want your medical records to stay confidential to this practice, or to be downloaded to the NHS central record system (NHS “Spine”)? ‘This prompted a discussion following on from last week’s carers group meeting about NHS APPS and whether we should be concerned about our personal details being sold to other organisations. The notice in the doctor’s surgery explains how you can complete and sign an Opt-Out form or do nothing. Please see Opt-Out Form attached to this email and see other links below.
See Guardian article – Your medical records are about to be given away. As GPs, we’re fighting …
As from Monday 14th June, I will be changing the program slightly. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday zoom sessions will start – At 2pm everyone joins the session for the chat and then at 2.30pm the Karaoke will start until 3pm. The rest of the programme stays the same. (A new poster will be on the website to confirm these changes).
Please note there are NO AFTERNOON SESSIONS on Monday 28th June, Tuesday 29th June and Wednesday 30th June
The Carers Group Meeting however on Tuesday 29th Junewill still go ahead and will be run by Keren and Mark on this day
Depending on what the Prime Minister announces soon, if all restrictions are lifted then our first face to face dementia club session will be on;
Wednesday 7th July at the Finchley Memorial Hospital at 2pm to 4pm and WEEKLY thereafter.
More sessions and venues will start as we return to normal. I will keep you informed.
Please also note in your diaries the Dementia Club UK reunion party on;
Monday 26th July at the Friends in Need ‘FIN’ community centre East Barnet Baptist Church Crescent Road, Barnet EN4 8PS at 2pm to 4pm
We had 22 members today. The Karaoke session started at 2pm as usual and then the chat session followed at 2.30pm. Lisa welcomed everyone and reminded them about the special event on Friday 11th June at 2pm to 3pm during Carers week.
Ian James then joined us for the music entertainment which is great fun and everyone loves to sing-a-long. Rachel then joined for the exercise/dance session which again everyone enjoys learning new dance moves. Kevin one of the carers then had a picture quiz for everyone to name 10 famous people who committed crimes. Everyone not only had to name the people but also what crime they committed. Stephen and Brenda and peter got the highest score with 17 out of 20 followed by Pam and John with 16. Lisa then called out the Bingo numbers and there were 2 winners today – Marina and Andreas and Jo, Grazia and Enzo.
We had 16 members today. The Karaoke session started at 2pm followed with the chat time. Lisa welcomed everyone and asked each of the members how their weekend was. There was various chats especially about different film and TV series. One of the carers mentioned that her first cousin’s friend was an American astronaut, and he came to visit bringing a piece of moon rock as a souvenir. James Irwin served as Apollo Lunar Module pilot for Apollo 15. He was the 8th person to walk on the Moon and sadly was the first and youngest of those astronauts to die. Everyone was very interested to hear this and also thought how wonderful to have a piece of Moon rock.
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James Le Bec and Joy then joined us as Katie our usual music entertainer was away today. James sang a variety of songs getting everyone to sing-a-long. The session then continued with Eon Walters with the exercises. It was rather warm today so everyone worked a bit of a sweat.
Lisa then did a quiz with everyone. As it will be HM Queen’s official birthday on Saturday 12th June, Lisa had a few quiz questions about the Queen. Everyone thought they were a bit hard but they like the challenge. Lisa then called out the Bingo numbers and today’s winners were Peter and John and Audrey.
We had 18 members today. The Karaoke session started at 2pm and then the chat session followed at 2.30pm. We had a new members today and Lisa made sure to introduce her to other members and encouraged a chat to help her feel relaxed and comfortable. James Le Bec then joined us for the music entertainment and sang a few songs to start with. Lisa asked James to sing if possible a jazz song as the new lady liked jazz. Lisa then also asked James to sing happy birthday to Joan whose birthday was tomorrow. Everybody sang together and Joan was very grateful.
The music quiz today was naming comedians and actors. It wasn’t easy but everyone enjoys the challenge. The winners were Brenda and Stephen, Pam and John and Jackie and Joan. James then asked members to name 10 types of trees for extra points. James finished off the session with a medley of 60’s songs which everyone enjoyed singing along and ended up singing – ‘You are my Sunshine’.
Richard Kravetz then joined us for the Yoga exercises which everyone always enjoys. Today Richard was also instructing members how to take deep breaths to cool down in the heat. It involved sticking their tongues out and knowing how to curl the tongue which was not easy for everyone. Richard then continued with his quiz and today’s quiz was about biscuits. The winner was Jackie and Joan and Pam and John with all the correct answers.
Lisa then called out the Bingo numbers and todays winner was Joan (the birthday girl)