Earlier this month I found myself in the honoured position of being a judge for a care awards event. As judges we had six categories to review, and there were some amazing testimonies of the care and support dedicated social…
Tag: compassion
Dementia takes… and dementia gives
The start of a new year is a time that many people find themselves in a reflective mood, and I have more cause than most to feel that way as 2016 kicks off. As some readers may know if they follow…
Humanity in care – The role of touch
One of the most controversial elements of care provision is touch. It has a discomfort associated with it for many professionals, and even family members can have deep reservations about touch. It can be associated with abuse, both by ignoring…
15-minutes of shame
As a light was shone, yet again, on the huge inadequacies within our home care services as the issue of 15-minute visits hit the headlines, I decided to time my morning routine. Just how much could I as an able-bodied…
A good end-of-life
Given our aversion to talking about death and dying, the idea of a good end-of-life isn’t something that has been widely debated. Yet for people who are diagnosed with a terminal disease, like dementia, knowing what would represent a good end…
Paid to care
When you go into any care setting, either as someone needing care or their family, you naturally expect that everyone who is looking after you or your loved one has been given all the skills that they need to provide…
Let’s talk about dementia – Love
Welcome to the sixth of my seven ‘mini’ blogs for UK Dementia Awareness Week 2013. They are all themed around talking about dementia, exploring different aspects of conversation from the point of view of people who are living with dementia, carers…
Reflections on a life lived and a man loved
It seems hard to believe that April 2013 marks two very sad milestones for me and my family. This month will see us celebrating my dad’s birthday for the first time without him here. Less than two weeks later, it…
Be kind to each other
There is something incredibly simple, natural, easy to deliver, easy to comprehend, wanted, needed and with a huge power to heal that I believe everyone desires when they interact with a fellow human being. It’s almost indefinable, and yet when…
Home alone
Imagine that every morning when you wake up, you are unable to get out of bed without the help of a carer. You might wake up quite early, needing the toilet or wanting a hot drink, but you live alone…