Renfrewshire Services

1. Renfrewshire Services Our Approach Amy Haines – Service Manager Renfrewshire Services May 2008

2. Mrs X Mrs X was referred for day care. She had never been a member of any clubs before and so was reluctant but said she would give it a try. She had tried a mainstream day centre but didn’t settle. For several weeks, she became unsettled after only an hour or so of arriving. Staff tried to encourage her in groupwork but when this didn’t work, one to one time was given, working on a personal profile, trying to find what interested her and what she was capable of doing with some support. We involved her and her family in her support plan including a settling in plan where the family agreed to pick her up if she became agitated. 6 weeks later, Mrs X was very settled in daycare and asking if she could come another day. Renfrewshire Services May 2008

3. Mrs Y Mrs Y is in a care home. The care she receives is good, with most aspects of her dementia managed really well. Although she’s fine when the family are there, she is lost and anxious when in the large group of residents. She has very little vision and different sounds and movements of others make her more disorientated. She cannot verbally make her needs known to staff. She asks to go to her room as she feels secure there, relating it to times spent with her family, but is unsafe due to risk of falls. Her daughter is now looking for another care home due to the impact the large unit is having on her mum Renfrewshire Services May 2008

4. Results of recent study carried out at Mount Carmel Community Hospital, County Cork on benefits of homely environment. • Greater relaxation levels • Improved sleep patterns • Less need for restraint and night time medication Renfrewshire Services May 2008

5. Elizabeth Myers – Principle Researcher, Mercy University Hospital“In some cases residents regained former skills and displayed increased functional independence”“For staff, they now have more time to get to know residents and their life stories and more time to involve residents in recreational and individualised activities” Renfrewshire Services May 2008

6. What do we do? • Understand the illness • Involve individuals and their families • Build trusting relationships • Work on individuals strengths and capabilities • Ensure homely environment • Give time! Renfrewshire Services May 2008

7. What can you do? • Put yourself in their shoes • Encourage carers to get involved • Try to work in smaller groups in homely settings within the capabilities of the group • Signpost carers to Alzheimer Scotland for information/advice/education • Give the most precious commodity of all – TIME Renfrewshire Services May 2008

8. I honestly don’t know what I would do without your help. I want to stay here, the staff are great. Thank you so much! Words cannot express my appreciation to you all. … it starts right from when the transport comes… We were amazed to hear him sing and know all the words. It is so kind of you doing so much for the carers. Recent comments from Service Users and Carers Renfrewshire Services May 2008

9. Thank you for listening Renfrewshire Services May 2008