Comments for Knowing You Matter

Comment on A Rock of Compassion by begethers

begethers — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 10:28:23 +0000

Heather, thank you for your comment, your insight and your leadership – all are precious
warmest
Andy

Comment on A Rock of Compassion by Heather David

Heather David — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 11:28:34 +0000

It was wonderful to read of the compassion shown by the care worker at Rock House. It reminds me of a book I am reading at the moment by a French psychologist called Marie de Hennezel. The book is called “Seize the Day” and is a true account of working with people at the end of life and she talks about the importance of touch and love and yet we are often frightened to do this because of overstepping our professional boundaries. Our work is in domiciliary care and I was recently talking to a service user who had become agorophobic after a series of traumas in her life. She was telling me that with the help of her regular carer she is now able to go out again. The first time she managed to leave the house was for a hospital appointment and she told me how her carer had encouraged her prior to the appointment, building her self confidence and displaying total confidence in the lady’s ability to meet the challenge. The day after she had successfully attended the appointment her care worker came in and gave her a big hug and told her how proud she felt of her. The lady told me that this meant the whole world to her. There are some schools of thought that would say that I, as her manager, should discourage that type of physical contact, but I know that this worker has a natural gift for this type of work and I am not going to stifle her intuitive behaviour which has proved so beneficial to someone she looks after.

Comment on Advocates for People with Dementia by Sue Nicholson

Sue Nicholson — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 21:35:53 +0000

I would be keen to attend your training on non-instructed advocacy

Comment on Can compassion be taught? by begethers

begethers — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:53:47 +0000

Thanks Gill for your support and encouragement in recent weeks and for your comment.

Spot on – culture that supports and welcomes empathy is what we all want and need.

Thank you for the super work you are doing at ‘Whose Shoes’

Comment on Can compassion be taught? by Whose Shoes?

Whose Shoes? — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 18:18:49 +0000

Congratulations Andy on being selected as one of NESTA’s prestigious “50 Radicals”. A huge achievement and one which has brought the spotlight onto the importance of compassion in care.

In my view, it is not worth too much debate about whether or not compassion can or should be taught. The key issue is around providing the right culture so that nurses / care staff feel comfortable engaging with patients and making every interaction one they would wish for themselves or their own family members in the same circumstances.

A minute taken out to “walk in the shoes of” the recipient is all it usually takes for people to “get it” and see the part that each of us has to play in promoting dignity and quality of life in every situation.

Comment on The Four Energies and Dementia by chris

chris — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 20:29:38 +0000

glad that model has legs

use it all the time as a simple energy anchor

lovin’ your work

chrisx

Comment on Wise Women of Oxford follow the signs to compassionate care by Belinda

Belinda — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 20:07:46 +0000

It is astounding what can happen in half a day! Just over 3 hours in the company of people, most of who I had never met before. These people had one thing in common. An ability to open their hearts and minds and think differently about providing care and support. And, by the end of our time together I felt a new sense of hope that change can happen in Oxfordshire. As an Occupational Therapist I want to be part of this change, so that when I’m helping to plan someone’s discharge from hospital, I can feel positive about having the conversation which suggests the transistion from being totally independent, to requiring a care package or residential setting.
This conversation is always heart-breaking, even if the person is in agreement and ready.
It is heart-breaking because there seem to be no guarantees out there in the world of ‘care’ that you will meet someone who genuinely, let alone passionately, caring. And this would not be ok for me or anyone that I love passionately….for a day….let alone a month.
I look forward to being part of a conversation which is only just starting, and that soon I will hear news of more Compassionate Care events all over this beautiful county.
Thank you to all the Wise Women! Belinda. x

Comment on Are hearts involved in the giving of care? by begethers

begethers — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 06:29:49 +0000

Hello Sue,
lovely to hear from you, thanks for your comment. I have fond memories of our conversations about the lives of people in care homes in your neck of the woods and your determination to make a difference. The MCAP project was very positive and has acted as a catalyst for Neil Mapes and I to join forces. We are running a programme of events and workshops around the themes of ‘thinking differently about dementia’ (see previous blog posts) and ‘Knowing You Matter’.
What are you up to?
warmest regards
Andy

Comment on Creating a compassionate culture – simple lessons 1 by Andy Bradley

Andy Bradley — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 11:11:45 +0000

Many thanks Suzanne. Family life will be central to transofrming the way re respond to people with dementia. I hope that your colleagues were able to find the time to read the blog and to reflect on what it means for the important work you are all doing

warmest regards

Andy

Comment on Are hearts involved in the giving of care? by Sue Nicholson

Sue Nicholson — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 13:01:24 +0000

Hi Andy,
Your postings are always thought-provoking and remind me about the hugely positive outcomes from the MCAP project we took part in in Cheshire. Has there been any long-term planning from the project?
Hope things are good for you and yours
Best regards

Sue Nicholson