Newsletter

Autumn 2011
Issue 6





Welcome to Issue 6 of “At The Leonard” formally “At The Wilfred” our quarterly newsletter. This newsletter is to keep friends, relatives and residents informed of forthcoming Summer events and happenings at The Leonard Unit. It is hoped that you will feel free to join us for events and that you will find this newsletter interesting and informative.


A Word from The Staff

Dear Relatives
Yet again we would like to thank you all for your continued support during the difficult time following the misleading and untrue revelations printed in the Weston Mercury last week. The good news is that this week an apology has now been printed which goes in part to some way rectifying the situation. Matthew our new manager had hoped to write an introduction for this issue of the newsletter but as you can imagine he has been heavily involved with maintaining the good name of The Leonard. To say it is a relief to all the staff that this is now in the past is an understatement. We look forward to Matthew introducing himself to you all in the winter newsletter.


MALCOLM AND BARBARA: A LOVE STORY

Malcolm Pointon was a successful composer and loving husband to Barbara Pointon, his wife for more than 20 years.
In 1995, aged 51, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Over the next decade it destroyed Malcolm's brain and in February this year he finally lost his 11-year battle with the disease.
Malcolm and Barbara: A Love Story In 1999, after four years filming, ITV's Malcolm and Barbara: A Love Story won critical acclaim for the moving account of how Malcolm and Barbara Pointon's happy lives were turned upside down when Malcolm developed Alzheimer's.
Eight years on and following Malcolm's death, a sequel to the film, Malcolm and Barbara: Love's Farewell was shown on ITV1. The documentary chronicles Malcolm's last moments as he slipped into a coma - he died three days later.
There was criticism that these private moments were filmed but Barbara disagrees. She said: "If he had been able to speak, Malcolm would have said, 'go for it'. Throughout his life he believed decisions must be based on the greatest good for the greatest number."
Barbara has been awarded an MBE for services to people with dementia and continues to campaign for more recognition of Alzheimer's disease and more help for carers.
She says: "I have to carry on, I owe it to Malcolm."
“Over the years, I’ve arrived at eight care giving maxims – I only wish that, as a new carer, someone had given them to me from the outset. Similarly, all those who offer care at home or indeed in any care setting might find them useful.

1. Don’t try and stop people with dementia from doing something just because it isn’t being done “properly”. Give them time to do things in their own way at their own pace.

2. People with dementia understand far more than they are ever given credit for. Take care what is said in their presence and don’t exclude them from conversations or decisions.

3. Bossiness is Just Not On. It’s very easy to confuse “caring” with “controlling” and nothing winds up any one of us more than the sense that someone else is controlling our lives. And if someone can’t find the words to protest, then resistance or aggressive actions will ensue.

4. Ask the question, “Who is it a problem for – us or them?” If it’s us, we should be old and ugly enough to let things ride. Does it really matter that he wants to go to bed with his trousers on, doesn’t want a wash right now, eats mashed potato with his fingers, and says there are little green men in the garden? Don’t scold, argue or contradict. Go with the Flow, however bizarre it seems.

5. Preserve their autonomy for as long as possible by giving them choice (e.g. in what clothes to wear) and celebrate what they can still do, rather than bemoan what they can’t.

6. There is always a reason for agitation – often something or somebody in the environment. Try to spot the cause and change it if possible.

7. If they can’t enter our world, we must enter theirs and affirm it. Forget reality orientation – what day is it, where are you, who’s the Prime Minister – who cares? Enjoy fantastic adventures with them in their “real” world instead. Be prepared to time-travel backwards into their personal history.

8. Look behind the illness, and reach out to the frightened person still in there, who still needs to feel secure, respected and cherished.


"When the present is frustrating,
the future frightening,
the past may be consoling"

This reminds us that when we are feeling particularly afraid or upset we often long for the time when the world seemed a safe place, when we had no cares and were loved and cared for. People living with dementia often seek this solace in their past and reminiscence can form a very important part of their present search for well being and understanding


When the Sun Broke through the other morn
By David Gale

As I woke up one morning
and I'd left the night behind
I found without warning
Someone had stolen half my mind

They hadn't taken all my thoughts
just part of them they'd taken
I felt frustrated and distraught
Confused and quire forsaken

Who am I? What's my name?
What do I like to eat?
Who chooses what clothes I wear?
What shoes upon my feet?

But take me back to yesteryear
And you can plainly see
Each tiny detail fresh and clear
Of whom I used to be.


Happenings around the Leonard
Firstly we extend a hearty Leonard welcome to Doreen O, Bert, Brenda, Sheila and Kathleen our new residents. We hope that you and your families will be very happy during your stay with us. If there is anything you are unsure of or want to know please feel free to ask – the staff are all here to help you or to point you In the right direction should they be unable to assist.

You may also have noticed some new faces around the staff, Trained Nurses Pam and Sandra from our sister home “The Elms” will now be seen more frequently around “The Leonard”. Both are very approachable and seen as an asset to our existing nursing team of Sue, Lilly, Alice and Bank Nurse Jackie. We also have some new carers Geoff, Jo and Claire along with our Care Apprentice Katie. We hope that they will be very happy working along side our existing team.

We would like to extend a very big thank you to all of you who were either involved with the organisation or who attended our “Strawberry & Cream Tea” we raised in the region of £300 which will go towards trips out for our residents.

Recently some of our residents enjoyed a day trip to Bristol Zoo. From the feed back received this was an overwhelmingly success day both for the residents and the carers involved some of whom gave up their free time in order to assist.

We have also enjoyed entertainment from Music and Magic and Phil Smith as well as taking some of the residents for lunch at “The Stag & Hounds”. This in addition to our usual activities programme organised by “Activities Co-ordinators” Jennie & Shirley.

With the wellbeing of our residents at our core the majority of our staff has recently been undertaking some additional training. They have spent a day on a “Nutritional Awareness Course” run by the NHS in addition to a course run Social Services on “Challenging Behaviour”.
The feedback received from those who have attended has been very positive and their will be additional training available in “Challenging Behaviour” shortly for those staff members interested.

As you may have noticed on your visits to the home our maintenance team are busy giving the building a facelift and touch up. Several of you have commented how much of an improvement just an external lick of varnish has made along side Fred’s sterling work at keeping the grounds up together.

Relatives Support Group
At “The Leonard Elms” we run a support group for the relatives of our residents. This is run by RMN Barbara Robinson (A member of “The Leonard Staff” now retired but who does the occasional very welcome bank shift) with support from the Carers and our Activities Co-ordinators Jennie and Shirley.
It is held in the dining room of “The Leonard Unit” and is a place where you can voice your concerns, put forward ideas or just sit and be with people who are in the same position as you. The group is the success story behind our annual “Strawberry & Cream Tea” and “Autumn Fayre” which raises money towards the “Residents Fund”.
Everyone is welcome to attend enjoy a cup of tea/coffee and meet other residents families.
For further information on when the next meeting will be held keep your eyes on the notice boards in Reception or The Elms/Leonard Units.


This newsletter is for you - we need contributions from all of you in order to produce a newsletter that reflects not only what happens within the home but the lives of your relatives. Have you any interesting stories to tell, famous people they/you have met/worked with, a favourite poem, song, or a book. Have you/ they visited an interesting or unusual part of the world. Is your relative about to become a great grandparent/ grandparent etc – would you like to share this information with us? Do you have ideas for the newsletter i.e. would you like it emailed to you, have its own webpage etc. Please feel free to discuss your ideas with Fiona who produces this newsletter, Matt or Sue. Any contributions please feel free to either email to Fiona (fionadsandford@hotmail.co.uk) or leave with Debbie on Reception/The Leonard Office. We look forward to hearing from you.