Juergen Koenigsbeck
I am well into retirement age. English is my second language; I am keen to explore more deeply the background of English culture.
Location Herefordshire, England
Activity
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
I have to confess that I have 'raced' through this course quite deliberately. As a total beginner I felt quite overwhelmed by all the details regarding food, nutrition, hygiene, planning and preparation - and cooking, of course. I will now use all my careful notes and a number of suggestions from fellow cookers to get into the actual task of cooking, taking my...
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
As a total novice too cooking - healthy and otherwise - I have sofar refrained from any comments. To prove my case, I now have to ask what are <em>folate</em> levels. By the way, I am past the age of starting a family.
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Cooking has never been my real interest. In my long-ago bachelor years, steaks in various forms made up my staple diet until a caring landlady took pity on me. Now, after over 50 years of happy marriage (no, not to that kind landlady!) I thought it time to give my wife an occasional break from her daily chore. I trust that this course will lead me in the right...
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Present-day social media, newspapers, gossip columns would have a field day! Just think of Meghan and Harry!
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Hallo! Born and educated in Germany I have lived in England now for nearly 50 years with a spell of 10 years in Canada before that. English has become to me more than a second language. With retirement and the influence of Covid-19 I have grasped the opportunity offered by FutureLearn to fill a large hole in my knowledge and appreciation of the English culture...
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My speech is definitely affected by other languages, namely my native German and acquired Canadian. Pinpointing specific words as indicators is difficult. There are still, mainly unfamiliar, words over which my pronunciation may falter. One difficulty I experience is the occasional mixing up of numbers, such as saying/writing '86' instead of '68' (perhaps my...
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I couldn't say whether Jon had a Londoner accent or not. I found his speech rather hesitant, with pauses as to think about what to say next (um, err, like). As I have progressively increasing hearing problems, I appreciated his general clarity of pronunciation.
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
I just realise that unknowingly I have struggled with salience, audience design and accommodation from the first day I set foot on English soil from Germany, via Canada, some 50 years ago. My first real test came in discussion groups at an English teacher-training college, where I was required to spend two years as a 'mature' student making up for the...
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
I have unsuccessfully struggled with the task set in 3.2. And even now I cannot come to a clear conclusion as to my social identity. When meeting in different groups I now realise that I do try to adapt my behaviour of expression, both verbally and personally. Basically, I don't feel comfortable in any kind of group meeting, especially when I feel obliged to...
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Thanks for the recap. It will now enable me to go back through every stage of the week without pressure to really take in - and comprehend fully(?) - many of the tools and procedures a researcher of linguistics can use.
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Of the three tests, I would be very suspicious of the "mixed guise test". Would someone like Rory Bremner, for example, be really able to match a native-speaker's authentic accent to the degree of fooling even the best-trained researchers?
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@JeanMoore Purely chosen at random, no offence meant to any area of England.
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
The maps collected on the 'Padlet' page are most interesting and telling. However, I must assume that they can only be regarded as arbitrary; each one is based on personal perception and interpretation. I can't see how these, and thousands more(?), can be brought together on to a common denominator.
Coming back to the previous stage 2.6, I was much taken by...
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English will always remain a living language, open to adapt to the influx of foreign cultures. Thomas Sheridan (1.15) could not have foreseen the rapid advance of social media which have opened a completely new world of communication. However, the varied, innate basic cornerstones (Yorkshire, Devon, Scotland, whatever) will always be present to avoid their...
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Accentually, I regard myself as a kind of a linguistic hodge-pot. Born and raised in Germany, I grew up speaking High German (equivalent to The Queen's English). A job promotion led me to Canada, where I spent ten years, eventually training as a teacher of English. I also taught German as a second language to German children. In time, my speech pattern adapted...
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
I would say that the writer of this email is a posh snob. I'll be honest with you - don't take me wrong: As a foreigner, I have often fallen into the false pronunciation trap (my as yet unclassified accent?). I appreciate that so far I have always been corrected with gentleness and have never been made feel to be patronised. It would be interesting to hear the...
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
To judge a person's intelligence just by their accent seems to be a very dangerous exercise that, in many cases, might even lean into prejudice. Every region in England has its characteristic local accent, liked by some outsiders, disliked by others, and is perhaps not always understood across borderlines. The wisdom expressed through them, however, has been...
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
As long as people are prepared to talk to each other person-to-person, there will always be changes in both dialect and accent. After all, English is a living language. It will always be prone to a rich influx of cultural values, and speech patterns, from other countries and from the advancement of technology. One day we may even discover that robots have...
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Having had no formal teaching in guided reading and, actually no real reason for it, I find the 'three-step' method very attractive. And, having read the contributions by so many co-students of this course and their agreement with these steps, I will certainly put them into practice in all future reading - whether for pleasure or study.
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
What a fascinating collection on the Padlet panel. I regret that I can't contribute of my own.
My closest archive experience stems from visits to Hereford's (England) "Chained Library", the largest surviving chained library in the world, with its famous 'Cider Bible". The earliest written reference to cider is found in the Wycliffe "Cider Bible", printed in...
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
I am currently reading Michael Buerke's autobiography "The Road Taken". The main purpose is to recall world events during my lifetime. It often amazes me to realise how much I had forgotten or had never understood the background to them. Now that I am involved with this course on Humanities I see man's Inhumanity to Man in a very different, deeper way.
I...
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@SueJansons "Has" or "Have" in this title, I am not sure.
But, perhaps because English is my second language, I am very sensitive to inconsistencies - misplaced apostrophes and expressions, such "between you and I", the misuse of "lie and lay" and "less and few" put up my hackles - cold-blooded murder of the English tongue! They say that "in America, they... -
Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
I prefer the printed, hardback book. I have no preference for any genre, but enjoy books with a political background, auto-biographies and history. My reading is mainly for pleasure and relaxation.
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Every picture tells a story. Why else would it have been created in the first place? It is up to the viewer how to interpret it and, based on personal experience and knowledge, make their own decision as to what degree the picture may be true or false.
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Both photos are most striking: Why should a President not show that he is human after all; Manchester shows the many layers of present-day night life in all its cruelty. But to me, both pictures invite us look much deeper into Humanity:
People sneering at Obama's tears as a sign of weakness may in reality be insecure in themselves, afraid to admit to the...
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
I found it most interesting and telling that the survey revealed that most photos are being taken for personal reasons. I am amongst them (the photos!), even though I often take photos for the specific purpose of using them in compiling travelogues to show to our social group.
The advance from an early pinhole camera through a Kodak Brownie to the latest... -
Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Digital photography has certainly taken much thought and composition out of taking pictures. The story goes of a group on a world tour with a very tight itinerary. The guide's constant phrase was: "Just take a photo; you can look at it at home". Off to the next stop.
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Since the beginning of time mankind has always had to get used to change. Most likely, the invention of the wheel has caused as much social upheaval then as do the space explorations now. Basic human nature and ambition for progress will never allow a standstill. Every generation has to adapt in its own way. And only on the basis of knowing what was before and...
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Having been so critical over the "Sauvages de la Mer Pacifique" presentation I can fully connect with the "In Pursuit of Venus" reinterpretation by Lisa Reihana. I wonder how indigenous people would react to, and compare the two opposing presentations.
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
The mural in itself may be "art". But the portrayal of the indigenous people is outright degrading.
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Chapters 5-7 of "Ways of Seeing" with John Berger's commentaries (thanks for the downloadable PDF file; too much to take it all in in one go) has opened both my eyes and thinking to a new way of looking at Art. Rare visits to art galleries have so far been more out of obligation than appreciation. How much have I missed!
One thought, however, troubles me:...
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Every picture - painting or photo - must have been created with a special purpose. It is for the beholder to decide what personal interpretation to put to it. The first reaction may be a superficial 'like' or 'don't like'. Only on deeper inspection will a true interpretation evolve. That process will be influenced by a number of personal factors: education,...
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Pictures, in all forms, colours and sizes, are all around us. How we "read" them is a very personal thing. We can appreciate them as pieces of art, use them as sources of information, reject them as sources of misinformation - it all depends. Sadly, advances in digital manipulation make it imperative for each one of us to distinguish between right and fake. ...
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
I think it is only natural that people see different things in what is displayed in a picture, story, even in Nature. That process must have started right at the time when our ancestors expressed their feelings, thoughts and emotions in Cave Drawings.
Modern-day catch phrases spring to mind: "A picture speaks a thousand words" and "...in the eye of the...
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
No real surprises in the general reaction to the question of how people acquired their knowledge. Family, school, peers, higher education share equal proportion. From personal experience I would name the Bible and Fairy Tales. Both are a rich source of teaching the difference between Good and Evil and how Good wins over Evil - in the long run. Our God is a...
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
All the disciplines of epistemology appear to be linked in a way that each one offers advantages and opportunities in one's search for a specific answer. I personally would prefer empirical observation and research. I would be very careful in my choice of authoritative knowledge.
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Epistemology: How did we come to know what we know now?
The learning process starts at a very young age, as our toddler son found out early in his life when he put his hand on a very hot oven door. The process continues through the school years under the motto "From the Known to the Unknown" - learning by discovery and through personal experience. And that... -
Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Humanity as a discipline has up till recently been a mystery to me. That's why I chose to take this course. I am learning to look at it and think about it in a more concentrated way. I have always regarded myself as being 'human' in a very personal way, more as in being in relationship with my 'neighbour'. Now my horizons are widening.
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
A basic human trait has always been, and always will be, to improve and perfect living conditions. The pace of change has now accelerated to such an extent that what is new today is already outdated tomorrow. Computers are just one example. How much time did our grandparents have to adjust to all that was invented during their life time? How will future...
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Human nature has strived on change throughout the ages. The concept of Humanity is bound to keep on changing, but its concept will have to adapt to contemporary changes in human attitudes and morals. It may greatly be influenced by technical advances in robotics and virtual reality. Political Correctness in itself will greatly contribute to our way of...
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Juergen Koenigsbeck replied to Juergen Koenigsbeck
@JanDeurwaarder Jan, thank you for your reply. I now realise that my original comments were centred on my personal feelings. As a Christian I truly believe that we were given by God responsibility over all Nature - human, animal, earth, space. This makes us stand out as unique. We must exercise this responsibility with diligence, compassion, humility and respect.
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Being human to me means being ME.
In my wanderings since leaving my roots behind in Germany I have happily survived two 'culture shocks', Canada and England respectively. Admittedly, I was free to choose, even looked at the first one in particular as a kind of adventure, whereas multitudes were, and still are forced from their homelands for political and... -
Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Sorry, no tips from me.
Since retirement I have had little need for taking notes, other than from committee meetings of various types. My personal experience it that I retain knowledge better when I have written it down by hand and later transferred it to other media. Sadly, I am a very poor listener who quickly loses concentration. So whenever possible, I... -
Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
I am interested in a variety of disciplines, but have so far not scratched much below the surface of any of them. So I wait that in the course of the study of Humanities I will gradually be focusing on one or two particular aspects.
I have always been interested in how Music, through the ages, has reflected society - perhaps, I can make that my starting... -
Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Hello, I'm a retired primary school teacher, in my middle 80s. I live in Hereford, England, although my roots were in Germany. Apart from the basic teacher training (a long time ago in Canada) and one or two university summer courses to enhance my qualifications I have never had any focused training - and have often missed it. Free time during lockdown has...
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
I approach the study of Humanities with a very open mind. It will be interesting to learn and evaluate how our present society has been shaped by those who have gone before us. I also believe that the current pandemic with all its restrictions will become a very complex study subject for future generations. This course will provide me with a wide-ranging basis...
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I have fully enjoyed the course and would like to thank all who have put it together, will strive to improve it even more, based on the responses from the students and the continuing advancement of research into Dementia.
This course has given me a valuable insight into the demands on carers. It has given me a greater confidence in dealing with a dementia... -
Good advice given in the video, with helpful links.
Any form of exercise must be carefully planned and executed. Professional advice must be sought to ensure that the patient's capabilities and needs are fully met. I know of a case where an elderly person during rehabilitation after a fall was physically forced to walk up and down stairs when her home... -
Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
An Advanced Care Plan should have been agreed with the patient well in advance, always on the understanding that it is kept flexible. Every situation is unique and prone to unexpected, sudden changes. Emergency arrangements should be in place should the main carer be unable to continue.
A Will is certainly needed.
As much as possible keep the patient... -
Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
The Rules of Thumb seem very comprehensive in their advice.
Pneumonia is mentioned in the introduction to this lesson. I was once told (and it wasn't meant cynically) that pneumonia is a dying person's best friend. How much more suffering can be added at this stage of life by insisting on extra treatment that promises just an extension of the suffering. -
Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
I would imagine that pain assessment is one of the hardest parts in caring for dementia sufferers. So much depends on how well the carer knows their patient and how sensitive they are in recognising signs of pain expression. The help given in the extra reading for this lesson seem most helpful.
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
It is very reassuring to learn that there is a growing awareness of the need to improve palliative care. As I have mentioned before, I have so far had no opportunity to offer anyone palliative care. But the wealth of world-wide resources gives me confidence in searching for and finding that valuable information.
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Advanced Care Planning is a real Must. It will be very difficult to discuss and agree upon with all immediately involved. I will probably arouse deep emotions, even disagreements, so extreme sensitivity is paramount.
I do not speak from personal experience, but the many contributions to this debate give a very clear picture of what to expect. I am most grateful. -
Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Palliative care, end of life care - how can one objectively plan ahead? I think it is important to discuss these issues within the family, certainly with the patient. But in the end, I would feel inclined to let the actual situation suggest what is in the best interest of the patient.
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Technology should never take the place of a human carer, but it can be of great help if chosen with care and forethought and as long as it allows for the abilities and interests of the patient. Some gadgets may even stir a new interest and stimulation.
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Gone are the days when people suffering from any kind of disablement (mental or physical) were kept in the closet, for fear of having put shame on the family. Thank Goodness!
There still remains a wide-spread stigma on the term 'disability', but times are changing and there is now a growing willingness to discuss this problem openly. Thanks to the work of... -
Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
A carer's foremost duty must be to act "in the best interest" of their patient. One of these duties must be to protect the patient from themselves and from others, in public places and private ones. If the patient is not co-operating with the carer, some 'gentle persuasion' may be required. To an outside observer, where might there be a line between best...
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
I fully subscribe to the therapeutic power of Music with all its benefits as outlined in the introduction to this lesson and the accompanying video. There should be a place in every care situation for the enjoyment of music, both individually and corporately. It is encouraging to discover the bounty of groups throughout the country offering practical advice...
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
A very interesting new aspect to me. My biggest concern in filling it in for someone else would be to keep an objective mind in collecting a patient's data. Even for myself it would very much be influenced in what mood or state of mind I am in - today's me be quite different from tomorrow's, finances perhaps excepted.
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There can be no question: "Home is definitely the best place to be"!
But the general situation regarding the patient's continued wellbeing, the carer's own health and strength, both physical and mental, must also be kept under close revision at all times. Overlooking or disregarding even a small deterioration in either respect may have disastrous... -
Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Caring for a family member at home is a very complex and demanding job; therefore it is important that the carer receives as much support as possible. This support should also be extended to the carer's wider family, as they will have their own problems in this situation and may easily feel overlooked, even neglected. I hope to have learned enough through this...
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
The list of suggestions is once again so complete that I couldn't add anything that hasn't been suggested. I have given Justine my 'Liked'.
One observation: With only one or two exceptions all of the 21 comments made ahead of me have come from female contributors. Is that an indication that there are more female carers than male ones?
I find Dr Stanyon's... -
Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Once signs of oncoming dementia become apparent in a family member discussions about the immediate future should be open and honest. Initially, it maybe quite feasible to provide care at home. But as the demands on the family carer(s) increase, I would think it wise to research early both possibilities of a professional carer or a care home. As much as...
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Based on the IADL scale I know that I would have to learn quite a lot of new skills in either scenario, especially in the areas of food preparation, and finance handling. I am surprised at the omission of Hygiene in the list.
I would think that I would feel more confident in caring for my wife than for my parents. Changing the nappies of those who first... -
Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
I will find it useful to have guidelines in assessing needs, such as IADL. Ultimately, I would expect that 'learning on the job' might give me a deeper insight into the needs to be met as not all the needs will become apparent at the same time. There will always be an obligation on the carer to be flexible and adaptable in their approach.
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
There can be only very few practical suggestions to add to the ones mentioned in the very comprehensive selections below. And what might have been left unsaid escapes me.
My main personal concern, aside from remaining an effective carer/supporter of my wife, would be to do everything possible to maintain my own mental, physical and emotional health. Finding a... -
Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
I am not involved in any type of caring for a family member or a friend. Nevertheless, this week's programme will be a valuable preparatory exercise for when that time may come.
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
A carer must be sensitive to the patient's reaction. Short-term memory may have been lost, but long-term memory may still be vivid and bring out the recall of happier times in the past. I think that music plays an important part in this respect: play a Glenn Miller tune and soon feet will start tapping ("I did like dancing..."); popular songs may well be...
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Now the secret is out: it WAS real sherry - in a plastic cup! Would Ribena have done?
This video is a master collection of how person-centred practice should be done. I have full admiration for all the staff who showed such great empathy in meeting their patients' needs in often very difficult situations. They made me also forget about the noisy surroundings.... -
Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
I have no personal experience with a patient's repetitive calling out. I only remember once witnessing a patient in an open ward repeatedly calling out for the police. I found that most disturbing and upsetting, but did not observe any staff reaction. No blame on the staff; I was just glad to get out quickly.
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
One of our social group meetings finishes just before 12noon. One lady needs to be ferried back to her sheltered accommodation for the midday meal. Although there is plenty of time, she stands at the exit door pointedly looking at her watch. When we get to her place, she usually dismisses us with the words: "Well, they (the Kitchen) have never let me down,...
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Having read with interest the comments of fellow students below, I am shocked to admit to myself that I really have nothing to add. The advice given, based on personal experiences, is so comprehensive that it might appear in a text book of its own.
Up till now I have had only occasional opportunities to talk with dementia sufferers in a relaxed, private... -
Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
I would like to acquire skills in effectively communicating with sufferers from dementia, both in general conversation and in situations that require empathy, tact and patience.
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Following the Mental Capacity Act, this practical approach to communication will come as a "relief"!
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
For me, the Review Assignment was the most difficult and challenging part of the course so far. I have had little idea of the Mental Capacity and Health Care Act before. At the moment I see no opportunity to make use of the new-found knowledge of it, but I know that when the time comes I will have some valuable grounding in what to look out for and how to...
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Although too late to pose any question I found the discussion most interesting.
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
It seems that in a situation of distress much depends on the sensitivity of the carer's approach and ability to 'defuse' the situation. David Grundy's link to https://www.studio3.org/post/what-is-the-low-arousal-approach should be made part of this course's reading material.
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Juergen Koenigsbeck replied to David Grundy
@DavidGrundy Hi David. I have made the suggestion that your recommended link should be made part of this courses reading material. I found it very helpful. Juergen
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
There can be no doubt about the correctness of the assessors final decision.
I left the nature of the questions open in the last unit, but I have no doubt that I would have come to the same conclusion. -
Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
How much does the gentleman really remember of his life at the bungalow?
Has he any concrete plans for looking after himself?
Does he understand the concerns of his daughter for his safety when on his own?
The questions are many. A quiet conversation, not a check sheet to be ticked off, will lead from one another. -
Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
I have no personal or anecdotal experience in such an assessment-making situation. I would feel, however, that the patient should have as much personal involvement as possible.
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
I fully agree with the decision to let the man return to his home ground. He was fully aware of the downsides, ie lack of heating. Improvements to the heating could be carried out. Compared with the cost of a care home, that would give him some financial advantages as well. Understandably, family and carers may tend to be overprotective at times.
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
What an interesting week: a good mixture of background information and practical advice with plenty of extra reading material suggested. Thank you.
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
In the choice of beneficial activities the interests and past experiences of sufferers must be the prime factors: a gentle progression of discovery from the Known to the Unknown - just as we did in primary school - at the pace with which the sufferer feels comfortable. It would be detrimental to dictate some activity that may revive bad memories or overstretch...
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Any assistance that reduces the need of medication should be given priority. Psychological Intervention seems just right way to make a good start. The interests and needs of family and carers are equally met.
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@ClaudiaMarcelaOsorioGuevara Claudia, I need a translation - German, French, perhaps. And, of course, English (first choice).
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
I have no experience with any of the above described medication. So, can't form any opinion. It's good for me to know that these are available, but for now I will store them in my memory bank.
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Patience, Understanding, Sensitivity and Compassion seem to be the watchwords. Understandably, one would feel reluctant to admit to the need of professional help (stubbornness and pride?). It must feel like an intrusion into one's private life. An outright refusal to accept the diagnosis could lead to a long-term battle of minds between sufferer and carer and...
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
The process of early diagnosing onset of suspected dementia must feel like the start of a Journey into the Unknown and cause a lot of anxiety, even fear. Family members and carers will no doubt be deeply affected in similar ways by the constant watching for a slow deterioration in the sufferer. And yet, they must outwardly appear cheerful and optimistic.
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
I like the idea of the "This is Me" factsheet. It will need a long time to put together and the full cooperation of the person involved. Care and support workers may have been in close contact with the person and will be able to give more short term information. Ideally, a good friend or neighbour can be involved during the admission procedure.
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Not having any direct contact with a dementia sufferer I am not sure how I would react. Yes, I would appreciate some kind of acknowledgement, a word or casual gesture. But overall, I would like to do my best in being understanding and tolerant, trying to put myself into the sufferer's feeling.
I found the "'Young Onset' Dementia" video very encouraging:... -
Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
I don't think I would like to know. Does being well into my 80s without any open sign of early onset of dementia, make me too old to worry, anyway? My worry would be that if I worried too much I might turn myself into a hypochondriac. And that's the last thing I want!
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
My lifestyle hasn't changed drastically, except for adapting to the lockdown rules. Having been cut off from the direct contact with family and friends has been hard in the beginning. But the help of the telephone, social media and ZOOM has given new impetus to daily life.
Lockdown has confirmed one very important aspect of home life, though: Living in an... -
Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Despite much thought I find it difficult to assess in which way I should change my lifestyle in order to delay/avoid the onset of dementia:
I don't drink - well, just a very occasional half pint of shandy;
I stopped smoking some 40 years ago;
I take regular easy exercises;
I take a daily one-hour walk (average);
I keep mentally active and keep 'social'... -
Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Raising public awareness must always be a main factor. There are many sources available outside of (parallel to?) this course with people sharing their varied experiences with suffering from dementia or caring for people suffering. I strongly recommend a programme series I found by accident: "Ross Kemp: Living with Dementia" - ITV, Thursdays 7.30pm.
In our... -
Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Patience and tolerance seem to be the most important attributes in dealing with ever-recurring questions. During a regular car journey with one lady, I could tell ahead of reaching certain points in the journey what the next question or comment would be. Not always 'ten-out-of-ten', but very close. Over time my reaction to this repetitive dialogue changed from...
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
In my limited experience with dementia sufferers and those in the early stages I can identify a number of cases where all four aspects described in the video, or a combination of some, are clearly apparent. Here is a good basis to look out for people showing early signs. I am not ready to decide yet which might be of greatest importance.
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Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
Up till now I have had very little active contact with people suffering from dementia or showing signs of developing it. With the current lockdown situation that contact has now gone down to more or less zero. So my thoughts can only be based on a rather superficial basis.
I am rather overwhelmed by the mass of information about the wide range of research and... -
Juergen Koenigsbeck made a comment
I am a mid-octogenarian, for the past 30+ years a retired primary school teacher. My interest in the "Dementia" course is based on the fact that I am closely involved in two groups of our Baptist church that cater for people in retirement - their ages ranging from 50 to 100+ years. Our church is keen to adapt church life and facilities to cater for them in...
