Support for Professional and Family Carers
Having the right tools to do the job. It's an expression familiar to us all, but how does it relate to caring?
To be the best carer you can be, may take more than just wanting to do it - you will need knowledge and confidence in having the skills to make positive changes in your life and that of the person you care for.
Gloucestershire County Council has a learning and support initiative for carers, it's called the Positive Caring Programme and is a series of sessions for people who look after a relative, friend, neighbour or child with a disability.
It also runs tailored sessions specifically for cares of people living with dementia.
It is an opportunity to meet with others in similar circumstances to gain and share information, knowledge and support to help you in your caring role.
The programme is free and consists of seven sessions which will help you:
- gain knowledge and skills to help with your caring role
- find out about local services and sources of support
- receive advice on benefits and entitlements
- share experience and gain support from others
- help you make positive changes to your caring role
For further information about what is happening locally contact Gloucestershire County Council's Carers' Team on 01452 500885 / 426254.
Managing Memory 2gether Information and Education Service
This service is aimed at providing information, education and support to people affected by dementia or who are worried about memory. Their training sessions are as follows:
‘Managing Memory’ sessions are for people worried about memory;
‘Living Well with Dementia Part One and Part Two’ are for people with early stage dementia and for the family and friends that support them.
All other sessions are for family and friends that support someone with dementia. For more details contact: 0800 694 8800; Email: managingmemory@glos.nhs.uk
Resources for 'In-House' Training
The Alzheimer's Society produces a range of publications to enable care homes, and other providers, to promote good practice in dementia care.
The Alzheimer’s Society also provides local training options for carers. Contact 01452 525222 to find out what is available in your part of Gloucestershire.
Gloucestershire County Council can provide training to organisations in the health and social care field including care home staff.
Dementia UK can also provide training for professionals through its Training and Learning Partnership Scheme.
Guideposts Trust has a new Dementia Care Development Pack to help care staff in care homes and in the community as well as family carers understand and help the older person with dementia. The pack has been produced following a Department of Health research project lasting 3 years. It introduces ways of working within organisations to help staff identify where they need to improve practice and also how to utilise learning more effectively. The bulk of the pack is devoted to specific information about ageing and dementia. The 10 part dementia section covers subjects such as eating and drinking, the enabling environment, activity and occupation.
Jill Conroy
Practice Development Consultant
Guideposts Trust
Two Rivers
Station Road
Witney
Oxford
OX28 4BH
Tel: 01993 700061
Fax:
Email: jconroy@guidepoststrust.org.uk
Dementia UK
Dementia UK can also provide training for professionals through its Training and Learning Partnership Scheme.
Please click on Accredited Programme for a full list of certificated programmes available.
For further information you can send an email to: training@dementiauk.org.
