Bank holiday weekend. The evenings are drawing in but it’s still warm enough for a picnic or even a late afternoon swim, a couple of days to try to relax and enjoy some family time. However, it’s difficult to dismiss the dreadful state the world is in.
Has it always been like this and we’re only hearing and seeing for ourselves thanks to world wide communications and journalists like the brave Lyse Doucet and our own Johnny Irvine and their crews bringing every detail into our homes via newspapers, radio, television and social media. Years ago I was at church in Whiteabbey village and the Girls Brigade were conducting the Sunday morning service. A young woman climbed the steps into the pulpit and told us she was reading some headlines which might shock us. She proceeded to talks of floods, fires that wiped out countries, wars with thousands being left dead, families fleeing from oppressors and more. I was shocked. I am a news junkie but I was confused – why didn’t I know of these things. Life was bad enough but these headlines were dreadful. She then announced that all these news stories were from the Old Testament.
What’s going on in the world today isn’t from the Bible but the stories are the same. The plight of those trying to get out of Afghanistan is heart breaking, the little children terrified and lost and the elderly also separated from family members. Every single one of the thousands at Kabul airport over theist week have gone through unimaginable fear. If you have a child of nine or ten or a grandchild of two or three, now think of them in the centre of the melee, perhaps crushed in the churning crowd. Or your grandmother or your mother who can’t stand and is sitting against a railing waiting – for what? You’ve been swept away and can’t get back to her – can you imagine her thoughts and your thoughts. In fact it doesn’t bear thinking about. Paul Farthing seems to fare better than most, apparently he has flown out on a private chartered plane not with his staff who had the required paperwork but with 200 dogs and cats. I like animals, especially dogs, but I find this decision beyond the pale. Despite the fact these animals are in the cargo hold and real people in the cabin, the amount of time and effort it took used up precious manpower and remains controversial. Also his rudeness on social media towards a member of the British government shows a very selfish attitude.
As for Joe Biden, to watch him stumble through a press conference looking blank, blaming Trump and repeating “here’s the deal” before putting his head down on the desk in what looks like a moment of defeat is far from positive. Now retaliation in Afghanistan has begun; the news is bleak.
Another thing. The shortage of heavy goods vehicle driver is scary, they are vital to our lives, lives which will grind to a halt unless this is sorted and quickly. All this and more.
So hurray for Manchester United, they have secured the services of Ronaldo for a transfer fee of €25 million. There’s some story behind this, influence in high places. Something very wrong in this crazy world crisis. Thankfully there is joy coming to us from Tokyo and the powerful Paralympics, terrific coverage on 4 and More 4.
POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE BRING HELP
“I keep a diary, I’m out for coffee tomorrow and then a barbecue on Friday.” Linda Fisher’s daughter Clayre butts in, “And we went glamping last weekend at the foot of the Mournes. We stayed in a log cabin with a hot tub and and a fire pit.” With a smile her Mum adds: “Not bad for a woman of 77 with Alzheimers!”
Linda is a lady who faces her problems full on. She admits she was shocked when she was told this news but with medication and stimulation she is doing well. She lives in a home in East Belfast which specialises in caring for those living with dementia and she and her daughter have adapted her rooms to make life easier, plenty of Sudoku books, jigsaws, an iPad which tells her the day, date and time and electronic Alexa is in the corner ready to answer any question put to her.
With the help of the staff in her home she is able to fulfil a fairly active social lifestyle, she still drives her car, she visits the shops and meets up with friends. With Clayre she goes for organised walks sometimes with another couple or with a small group. It was on one of these walks to the CS Lewis Square that they met old neighbours for the first time in years. The two daughters had been best friends at school and it was a real delight for the Thompsons to meet Emma Fisher and her father Roy. When her husband died just over a year ago, Linda’s mental situation worsened but this friendship with people she knew so well has cheered her. “I’m a very cheerful person and it’s lovely to walk together and then go to have tea with them.” It’s interesting that even a name from the past can trigger memories and stimulate a conversation therefore interaction with others is very important.
What Is Dementia?
Dementia is an umbrella term for degenerative brain disease that includes Alzheimers. It’s estimated that in Northern Ireland 20,000 people are living with dementia and that number is projected to double by 2040. It’s extremely draining for family carers, both emotionally and physically. But there is help.
One point both Clayre and her mother emphasises is the vital work of the Dementia Friendly Community East Belfast. This is a hugely important and effective organisation that works between those living with dementia, their carers and the wider public.
Linda Armitage is co-chair with Eamon Quinn of Engage with Age, and she explained how the Community was first established and told me more about the project.
Thankfully in 2015 she attended a Belfast Trust meeting on the subject and having personal experience through members of her family, she decided to develop a strategy, called her own meeting and had an excellent response and as she says, she harnessed the enthusiasm. And so Dementia Friendly Community East Belfast was launched in 2016.
“It’s basically about being kind, knowing how to respond to the needs and raise awareness. We are constantly reviewing what we offer, for instance at the moment we are holding a Festival of Windows where 20 cafes, shops and libraries show art work by those living with the condition and so engage the interest of the public. We hold up to 50 events each month including walking tours and we have video training courses for families and organisations, for instance some sessions highlight a shopping trip. It’s explained that a customer might become disorientated and need gentle help, that signage could be improved so it’s easy to find the right department, give time and don’t excite them by putting on pressure, try to understand reactions which might not be expected.”
First Hand Experiences
Allison Batchelor is a great spokes woman for East Belfast and she has made short videos about her dementia experiences and points out the importance of cooperation between customer and staff also their carers who obviously are under stress as well. We hear how the organisation is as useful to family and friends as to their relative, just knowing where to turn for help, having someone to talk to who has gone through the same experience is a relief to someone who is struggling with trying to do the right thing during their worry and concern.
There are 35 hubs across East Belfast each offering information which will help organisations and support those living with the disease and now the pattern has spread further into Belfast and beyond each cooperating with the other and so a network is being built.
Linda Armitage invites the public to join the campaign to make East Belfast Dementia Friendly. “Just make contact! You could help make small changes that have a large impact for people with dementia. There are on- line training courses to join, resources and information available to pass on.
“This voluntary consortium is made up of groups and organisations, businesses and individuals and people living with dementia are actively involved in making decisions. Volunteers are always welcome and if you are interested get more information at 028 9073 5696.”
More To Come
There is another arm to the organisation, advice on making your home or office more accessible. I will be giving this information next week, it makes interesting reading and will be useful for all family members no matter their age or abilities.
There is a lot of information about this organisation on the Internet, even a session of Tai Chi, gentle exercises which anyone can join in and enjoy.
Details of all the activities available is on: https://www.facebook.com/DementiaFriendlyEastBelfast
Charlie Watts was a man of distinction and it’s said one of these best drummers ever. He wasn’t like the rest of the Rolling Stones apparently, a man who shielded his wife and family from the media, was faithful to them and didn’t live the raucous touring life the rest of the group enjoyed. I was never a great Stones fan but I was fascinated by Charlie there was something very ‘zen’ about him.
