Andrea M
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Location England
Activity
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Andrea M made a comment
It was interesting but just the same as other approaches. I didnt learn anything new unfortunately but enjoyed reading and contributing to comments from others on the course...wish you all well.
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Andrea M replied to IRENE SACKEY
@IRENESACKEY Hi Irene. I work in the UK and so can only speak from that perspective. I as a social worker help a lady who had had a stroke and had no mobility at all requiring hoisting for all transfers. She had no mental health problems apart from being depressed at being in nursing care. She wanted to return home and so I approached all other professionals...
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Andrea M made a comment
I feel that this is just a person centred approach with a few unnecessary bits added to it.
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Andrea M made a comment
I think alot of what is stated in this approach is unnecessary. When training as a nurse or social worker then you learn the values and belief systems, being non judgemental, respect, dignity etc etc........this underpins all care and so I do find it difficult at times to see where there is anything new in this approach except that it seems to cover every...
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Andrea M made a comment
I am looking at this from my experience as a nurse and social worker and feel that confidentiality seems to take a back seat with some of this approach.
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Andrea M made a comment
I think alot of the tools mentioned above are what I use in my practice and mainly common sense when developing a personalised care plan. To ask the person what they want is a always a good place to start as we cannot presume that we know what is best for that person and impinge our own values and beliefs on to them. For example I am a very much a loner when...
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Andrea M made a comment
I dont really understand what the health and safety risks were for Harry to see Jetson....I realise he couldnt return home (although I dont necessarily agree with that decision either). The professionals and family should have looked at how being seperated from Jetson was going to effect Harry , and any possible solutions discussed before he went into care....
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Andrea M replied to Sandra Jose
love your comments...I feel the same. Everyone says they are there to support Harry but it doesnt really seem as if that is the case sometimes . Like you state....just find a facility that accepts pets then you really are working in his best interests.
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Andrea M made a comment
I have been a registered nurse and am a Social Worker so have seen care based on both the medical and social models. I think the main difference is that alot of the care involved from Nursing perspective is obviously to take care of the person, but this can sometimes be at the expense of letting the individual take a certain amount of risk and making...
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Andrea M made a comment
A lack of resources might impede the success of this model....something that is faced everyday within Social Care.
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Andrea M made a comment
I think that alot of the time family members and the older person can feel removed from the decision making process, due to Professionals not sharing information enough, and by using jargon etc....that the family do not understand. Alot of older people still feel that Doctors know best and so dont always feel that they can disagree with what is being said to...
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Andrea M made a comment
Older people are no different from anyone else, and so therefore require respect, dignity, a sense of self worth and to be involved in any decision making that might effect them. This approach ensures that this is carried out when carrying out assessments etc.....
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Andrea M made a comment
I have only experienced this through a work perspective, and I feel the person centred approach is a really good model to follow when involved (with others) in the care of older people. I feel the family especially benefit from this as they especially like to feel involved in the decisions made and do have alot to offer to any assessment, especially if they...
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Andrea M made a comment
I think this model is really positive and has alot of pros for it. I think the biggest con is that it is dependent on everyone involved in the care communicating well between each other and agreeing on the way forward with Harry and considering what his opinions are. As Im sure we have all experienced at sometime or another, not everyone communicates well.
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Andrea M made a comment
Looking forward to it.
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Andrea M made a comment
The whole of the team involved with Harrys situation will have an holistic view on his current level of need and will work together to provide this, they will also consult Harry himself /and family before any final decisions are made.
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Andrea M made a comment
Harry feels he lacks control over the decisions being made around him. He does lack some insight into his current level of need as well. I feel that perhaps a multi disciplinary meeting alongside harry and his family might help him feel more in control and would provide a good enviroment for concerns to be raised discussed and hopefully resolved
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Andrea M made a comment
I like the concept but maybe its because ive been in the job too long as different governments have been in power making empty promises; all things sound good when written down but when putting into practice it always lacks enough funding and resources to bring it into fruition..but can but try...and thats what we keep doing, as the work tgrough the pandemic...
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Good comment on lack of input from co ordinator.
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Andrea M made a comment
I find this approach really interesting. I have to be honest prior to this, i had not been familiar with it but i live in the uk and deal mainly with social car, however thats why i found it interesting as alot of it is transferable to other situations
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Andrea M made a comment
Harry is depressed and lonely, he also has things he would still like to do such as see his family and friends and his dog. His mobility is poor, memory deteriorating and suffering loss of hearing. It seems Harry is feeling helpless, lack of control over his own life and body. He is grieving for the loss of the man he was, and the capabilities and independence...
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Andrea M replied to Amanda Boyd
I dont know where you are based Amanda but i found your comment interesting as in the uk it is difficult to go into residential care without a long list of needs being present(unless you pay privately of course) which ver few neither want to or can do. Its really interesting to hear of someone like your grandfather who made that big decision to move because he...
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Andrea M made a comment
I have no personal experience of this transition but my job means that i have been involved with families who have had to deal with this. It is a difficult time for all those involved and is usually the last resort. The guilt that family members feel is immense as they feel they have let down or failed some way in caring for the older person. The older person...
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Andrea M made a comment
I was interested to read the anonymous cooment from Mauritus regarding caring for a relative who has dementia. It seems there is a lack of specialised care in alot of places....i live in the UK and there is still not enough being done in this area (in my opinion). i am trying to start groups looking at poetry and alot of the arts and how this seems to help and...
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Andrea M made a comment
Hello. Im a social worker within an older peoples team. I am particularly interested in keeping up to date with health and social care practice especially around dementia.
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Im sad to hear about your situation and understand why you are so determined never to do that to your own family. I think i clung on to Mother because she was only 55 when she died and i was 5 months pregnant at the time and so was so frightened of losing the one person i wanted to be there fir the birth and beyond.
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Andrea M made a comment
My experience of Leaders within Social Care havent been that positive despite it purporting to be an area where workers are automatically showing Compassion, empathy, non judgemental characteristics. It is often said that if leaders within the agency did try and demonstrate more of these then it would be a more content place to work. I think the problem is...
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Andrea M made a comment
I really like the comments that everyone has made, and all the qualities mentioned are ones that I hold dear to me and have based my way of living with others around. However, I have gone a bit off piste and dont know if that is wrong or not, but Leadership obviously triggers something else in me so I decided to go with it. It might have something to do with...
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Andrea M made a comment
I have many Team Leaders in my time, but as soon as I saw the term 'Leadership' I automatically went to someone in history I really admire....not because he was a particularly good man, he was involved in battles and war that I have never agreed with being the peace loving person I am. However I have always looked at Leadership as requiring traits that I would...
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@DeansBuchanan Thank you for taking the time to write this comment. I just dont see how my two lines relate to it.
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Andrea M made a comment
This course has been brilliant. Fantastic comments from other learners and alot of involvement from course educaters which is really important...it helps for you to look at things again and perhaps see things differently. They make you feel relevent by reading what you have said which not all of other courses do. I would recommend anyone with interest in this...
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Andrea M made a comment
Just reading the info and doing a budget in order to apply for the course
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Andrea M made a comment
Im just looking at the masters course as have really enjoyed this last few weeks. I find it really interesting and am wanting to change careers despite being in my fifties. You maybe hearing from me again!!!
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Andrea M made a comment
Its been a great week. Really thought provoking.
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Andrea M made a comment
I think the fact that only a certain number of people could attend funerals effected me the most. Saying goodbye is a large part of the grieving process and alot of people comment that after tge funeral they feel they are more able to start thinking about other things.
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Andrea M made a comment
Although sad these songs talk of living life as you wanted to, hope and going onto a better place which covers alot of what people seem to want at their funeral. I want songs that meant someting to me and my kids when we were alive such as songs we used to sing when on the school trip or going off for the day.
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My mother didnt leave any instructions regarding her funeral and we had never discussed it as a family due to her being young when she passed. Even when we all knew she was dying...the word death was never mentioned. It was the impersonal event ive ever been to. We just chose a coffin, picked a psalm and i remember the Priest bless him trying to talk about...
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Andrea M made a comment
Death as living is a very personal thing so everyones points of views should be respected even if not agreed with. I hope that one day we can be more open about discussing dying and it goes back to being a part of communities.
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Andrea M made a comment
I havent attended a death cafe yet. As i was a nurse and social wirker ive dealt with the death of others a great deal. I have no problems with regards my own death but like most, i hope it is peaceful. Having said that my son did tell me that all death is painful as tge body shuts down while the brain is still functioning, so it was forced to be painful. I...
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I agree that the funeral process is for those left behind.
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Im truly glad that you have never felt suicidal, but for those who have, surely it would show great compassion to help people be able to take their own lives even the elderly within an organized environment.
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Andrea M made a comment
There are issues mainly legal around this but i personally feel if an elderly person wants to take their own life they should be able to do that. We have examples in the past of a certain gp making himself God deciding who should die etc...so we would have to be careful around the administration of any drugs given to assist dying. I think the key issue around...
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Andrea M replied to Deans Buchanan
I think when the elderly i work closely with say they are tired of living means that that they are indifferent as to whether they wake up the next morning. Its not a tiredness that would be helped with supportfrom carers for example. They are tired of just the process of being alive which is why some turn away any help and support and begin to slowly not eat...
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Andrea M made a comment
I work with older people and the times that i am asked if i can help certain individuals to die is increasing as tgey live to a greater age. When i ask tgem why they want to die it is rately illness, and is more related to being tired of life, they just 'want to go'. Alot of them are lonely, those in care homes want to die as they cannot return home. Alot say...
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So interesting and answered alot of my questions. It seems that my loss of autonomy reason for possibly having assisted dying isnt that strange of a reason
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Andrea M made a comment
The timing of when you would do this interests me. If i found out i had dementia i would probably need to do it fairly early on in tge progression of the disease. If i had cancer would i wait until i couldnt take the pain and the treatments anymore or would i do it early again so my family didnt have to watch me deteriorate. As i said i still have alot of...
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Andrea M made a comment
I would hope to be able to administer myself.
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Andrea M made a comment
I think this topic is the one i have most problems with. I do believe that evetyone should be able to control tgeir own death, especially as they are probably suffering. I know i wouldnt want to live if icouldnt be independent with every part of my life. As ive bn alone for a large part of my life or had kids to look after ive had no one to rely on so now the...
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Andrea M made a comment
Id like to go to one and see how i feel as i would say im already very open about death and dying
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Andrea M made a comment
Everyone deserves to have the death of tgeir choosing. Anyone who can help that is someonce special
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Andrea M replied to Pamela Stadnyk
Im just setting off on training in this area as i agree, it is tge way forward in helping others have a good death
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Andrea M made a comment
My community are strongly involed in food arranging food parcels and the church do alot of work especially during covid 19. We would ensure that anyone lonely or isolated was allocated a buddy if sorts to make sure tgey felt safe. I think tge art of doing this in tge community is concentrating on what might seem the small things but which are important to...
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Andrea M made a comment
As stated in previous comments....more need to be done for people living with dementia. We need to improve their quality of life and ensure they have the death they hopefully planned for.
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Andrea M made a comment
Assistive technology has definitely been able to give people with dementia more independence.
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Andrea M made a comment
Keep everything active...brilliant information.
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Andrea M made a comment
My comment on the last step says alot of what i think about dementia and disability. I feel it would be greatly beneficial for carers and those living with dementia.
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Andrea M made a comment
We have to start looking at Dementia through a social model rather than a medical model. We used to look at Disabilities in the medical model, but eventually it was found that the disability was in fact effected by society due to not providing the things required for people with a disability to live their lives more independently and fulfilling. There were...
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Andrea M made a comment
The Wheel of Life is very good at highlighting which parts of our lives we might be ignoring/neglecting such as social activities. Its a good way to help move forward by introducing new things into our lives.
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Andrea M made a comment
Home is always best in the first instance, but seeing carers exhausted and unwell both physically and mentally is heartbreaking. Its like two lives are being taken by the effects of dementia and this is when I believe that care in a residential setting is perhaps best.
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Andrea M replied to Eleonora Petkova
The Uk Government is relying upon family to assist and care for their relatives telling us it is the best way for people to be i.e remain with the family. Unfortunately, working in this area, this Government in particular is not doing half as much as it should do and demeans the role of caring by offering little support and little pay to anyone in this area. I...
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Andrea M made a comment
Unfortunately, I dont think anything new has come to light through this week with regards carers. I still dont think enough is being done for everyone involved in the caring roles. Support is extremely lacking as the resources out there are insufficient. When assessing carers most of them start off from a position of not expecting any help and support which...
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Andrea M made a comment
There is so much more needs to be done in developing care in this area. We are relying upon carers in the home too much and voluntary agencies to provide resources in the community. However, I think everyone is aware there is a lacking in finance and investment in Health and Social Care so its difficult to see it changing in the near future. We need more...
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Andrea M made a comment
I do realise that carers role has been secondary for some time in the past, however Social Services should now be putting carers importance alongside the client being assessed. Things have definitely improved I feel (certainly hope) although i do realise that this can alter dependent on where you live and your local authority.
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Andrea M made a comment
The carer needs to have compassion, empathy, understanding, an ability to forgive quickly, a recognition that they too need their own life as well in order to maintain their mental health. They need to be able to ask for help when they need it.
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Andrea M made a comment
It is a difficult thing to do, and although some may find the role rewarding I feel that these must be few and far between.
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I agree Charlotte and usually it is due to the carer becoming ill, as they are reluctant to give up their role as a carer. They then feel guilty at their decision and it takes them time to come to terms with being alone and having more time. Its important to support the carer more at this time as the individual is safe within residential/nursing care.
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As an ex Nurse I feel i would be able to care for my relative in this way, it is the psychological side of the role that would worry me the most. I feel parts of caring would be seen as a duty due to it being a loved one, and not something I would choose to do. i think most carers just feel it has to be done and get on with it due to a lack of resources out...
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Andrea M made a comment
A referral would need to be made for Social care to be involved. The role of the carer has come more to the forefront over the past few years. With regards finance, there is a Finance Team that carry out an assessment and will e able to ensure that Suzanne is getting all the help she is eligible for. Carers could help her in a small way at first as reading...
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Andrea M made a comment
Suzanne should request a carers assessment from her local social services, and they will be able to offer her advice and help as to how she might get help with her role as a main carer. She could also try the Alzheimers Society or voluntary groups There is also social prescribing that can offer help alongside medical assistance.
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Andrea M made a comment
I feel the saddest part of being a carer is the gradual loss of the person you are assisting. The roles of man and wife change into carer and cared for, which can have a great effect on a couple. For the person living with dementia I feel that it is sometimes the kindest of times when they forget everything almost as they are not coming in and out with...
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Andrea M made a comment
A lack of free time to follow their own aims and ambitions, A lack of financial security due to many having had to give up work to care for relatives and loved ones, loneliness as alot of carers are unaware of the groups and help with socialisation that are available to them.
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Andrea M made a comment
Working in Social Care I have seen first hand the hard work that carers do for their loved ones, and what effect it has on their own lives. We have to remember they help alongside Social Care and are not there to fill in all the gaps that still exist in this area
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Andrea M made a comment
A really informative week
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Andrea M made a comment
I knew one individual who was always laid on his floor so i coomunicated by laying on the floor too.
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Talk slowly, using short sentences. Give them time to respond so the individual doesnt feel pressured. Be patient and calm. Need to be aware of whether individual likes being touched or not. Ive found some dont like it and can become agitated. It can be difficult keeping them on track with what is being discussed. You cant take too long with conversations...
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Andrea M made a comment
Use short simple non jargonised sentences when discussing the decision. Look at consequences if they were to go ahead with a decision. Are they being realistic with how they perceive they will manage if the decision is made. Ive assisteded lots of people living with dementia make decisions and the most important thing is to give them time.
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Andrea M made a comment
Im happy with that decision, as it means the elderly gentleman was listened to and resources used to enable him to return home. There is an element of risk naturally but there always is in life.
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Andrea M replied to Kevin Goodman
That must be so difficult for you Kevin.
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I felt vulnerable when people couldnt understand me. I couldnt be myself as the way i express myself, and what makes me..me is reliant upon communication...i.e i talk alot!!! Despite trying to prepare myself by learning phrases etc...i still feel stupid, almost disrespectful to the people living in the country i am visiting. I do the pointing to things to help...
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Andrea M made a comment
I want to look at the many ways you can communicate with people living with dementia. When i start to talk to people im assessing, families usually say that there is no point in my talking to their loved one as theyy no longer understand, however i always direct my conversation to the individual themselves and remember not to keep asking questions as this...
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Andrea M made a comment
This is a really important part of interacting with people living with dementia. Looking forward to it.
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Its an area that alot of people find it difficult to relate to. It is such a fine line between caring and being oppressive to the individual in care. I work with it alot and its important to give clear information to relatives. A really interesting presentation
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Andrea M made a comment
What lovely and selfless people they are. A great scheme.
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Andrea M made a comment
I usually use the word 'empathy' rather than compassion as I personally associate compassion with a spiritual meaning. I still perceive it to be understanding and helping the suffering of others, but taking me back to my interest in Buddhism I think the way the Dalai Lama defines it is great.
Compassion , 'is an attitude that not only wishes, for others to...
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Andrea M made a comment
Im lucky to live in a community where people do help one another. Not in a organised sense but just because everyone knows one another and if they dont, its taken for granted that we will do whatever we can if someone needs something. If it was organised we would be a force to be reckoned with. Everyone stays in my village so generations all live around one...
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Andrea M replied to Bea Abrahamse
Good luck with the setting up of your business. I really admire you fir not just thinking about what can help people, but getting out there and doing it...
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Its interesting reading how it all began as it does initially identify alot with social work who also look holistically at the person in need. Granted, social services do not provide everything the community does but they do work in a multi disciplinary fashion in order to cover all aspects of what help the individual requires. I suppose the words 'social'and...
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Andrea M made a comment
I think its really positive that this is a 'bottom up' approach which looks at the individual in an holistic way. It is also encouraging that they look at mental health issues which has taken a long time to catch up even in the global north.
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I think we need to stop perceiving dying and death as just a purely medical thing. Once this stigma is removed and we start to talk about dying alongside living then more people feel they can access this area. Volunteers and untrained medical people can then provide help that is just as important as pain relief etc...The number of people who feel they can help...
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Andrea M made a comment
I love the word community..it makes me feel safe and warm so that might give a clue as to how important i think they are, and how sad i am as i feel its something lacking nowadays
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Thank you Marian, this is really interesting and i will make sure i follow it all up for further information. I find it really interesting...the way we deal with death and dying on a global level.
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Andrea M made a comment
Thank you its been a great week.
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Andrea M made a comment
I have found out how difficult it is to write briefly and concise!!!! I write 100 words on a birthday card unfortunately. I appreciate being involved with members of the group regarding the assignment. Ive also realised why i was attracted to my job in the first place and how important it is to put the individual first that is needing my input.
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Andrea M made a comment
Thank you for a great week.
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Andrea M made a comment
I think a lack of human touch is one challenge that health staff and relatives of the dying have had to face. Limited or no time to be with their loved ones, and health professionals feeling guilty that they cannot save the lives of a majority of the people they are treating. They are also unable to help family with the bereavement and grieving process. I...
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Thank you Claudia, i wasnt sure if they had something similar.
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Society seems to have a lack of acknowledgement of the elderly as being valuable individuals. We tried to remove the medical model from disabilities realising society caused an increase in their daily problems i.e lack of ramps, lifts etc. I feel that society needs to change its view of the elderly. Our age on the inside doesn’t ever seem to correlate with the...
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Andrea M replied to Linda Kaze
I agree. Im fully behind finding out how much support family,carers etc bring as from my job i realise how important they are and how little support they receive.
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Andrea M made a comment
To view the individual in an holistic manner should be the basis of any care.
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Andrea M made a comment
Hospitals are buildings full of people working by the medical model. They diagnose and help with illness either to a curative ending or death. They want to cure everyone and tend to mess about a bit too much. Even when outcomes are positive a majority of us dont like going there.
