Saturday 21 April 2012

S is for Strategies



Studies have shown that the less sleep you get the more it impacts on your mental health and well being.  

Sometimes mum gets confused between night and day, you could be up till all hours convincing her that it is time for bed, I have had to develop strategies to cope with her understanding of time and can sometimes operate in the twilight zone myself!

I had to learn over the years among other things to alter the tone of my voice and find different ways of communicating that sometimes works and other times won't. In my moments of frustration too tired to find a different strategy to convince her back to bed she tells me not to use a particular tone or remind me that I too sometimes forget.  



A different strategy is called for when dealing with some health service workers.  In their efforts to deal with what 'current policy' says some can get defensive when you question the practicalities. Recently in asking for a few weeks respite break they ask me why I need it, (even though I have to pay for it, they determine if it is justified!)....on top of that some of mums information is missing.  

I take a deep breath and smile as I respond to their questioning mentioning my surprise that the information is missing after 3 years on the system and how frustrating for the carer this can be.  I am told nothing has been decided and to call back the following week.  The next person I speak to tells me that the notes on mums file say I was "agitated", he is less defensive, and cheerful and so I explain to him that I was concerned and worried that important information could go missing especially when it was time sensitive.  He says he understands, but my request has not yet become a priority, I should ring back the following week.

Yes...strategies....... in the meantime I've found hot chocolate and Camomile works a treat....I will see if I can get 40 winks! 


Words so far....

A is for Alzheimer’s, B is for Behaviour, C is for Carer, D is for Dependant, E is for Enough, F is for Fear, G is for Guilt, H is for Health Professionals, I is for Identity, J is for Judgement K is for Knowledge, L is for Love,  M is for Motherhood, N is for Neighbourhood, O is for Opportunities P is for Purpose, Q is for Quietness, R is for Regret

These posts are part of the A-Z Challenge taking place during the month of April.  I have been sharing about my experience as a carer to a mother with Dementia.  If you would like to know more join the Arts in Health Network and also check out my website for information on some of the work I have done with Creativity and Dementia.


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6 comments :

  1. I bet there are times when you feel so alone in dealing with all this. So many of them don't seem to understand either. I am not a very patient person and would have great trouble dealing with all of this.

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  2. A friend's father would go to bed, then get up in the night and turn on the stove.

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  3. Strategies are hard to form when the rules are always changing.

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  4. Bless you for the care you are giving. A difficult time for you I am sure.

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  5. Hi Amanda .. sounds a tough time - my thoughts are with you ... I'm not surprised you need some respite.

    Good luck - it is not easy .. and I can hear you screaming silently down here .. look after yourself somehow .. Cheers Hilary

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  6. Jo, it can be quite isolating at times and the deep breath has been known to fail:)

    Jo, that must have been hard to deal with. We have had to turn the stove at the main socket

    Susan, new strategies for a new day!

    Emakaye, thank you for your visit

    Hilary, bring on the respite, need me some sunshine and seawater!

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