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Notes from Curriculum

DEFINITIONS:

Care in the Community

means providing services and support for people with a recognised need to enable them to achieve maximum independence and control over their own lives whilst living in their own home or in a homely setting in the community.
(Recognised need means problems related to illness; disability; or ageing. We do not limit our services to a group defined by their age but to individuals according to their needs)

Co-caring

stage of some need and where there is the opportunity to give and receive support in a mutually beneficial way

Dependence

stage of intense care need

 The Curriculum for the 4th Age – educational programme

The 4 Ages

We will use the following division of the human life, according to the ability of people to connect on a physical level:

  • First Age: Dependence – This is the age of childhood. After growing up and depending on many factors (not only age!) a youth enters the
  • Second Age: Independence – This is the age of adulthood. Here a person pretty much can look after him/herself. When progressing in life and depending on many factors (not only age!) we enter the
  • Third Age: Interdependence – Though basically independent at the beginning, more and more a person needs the assistance of his/her fellows to tackle life.
  • Fourth Age: Dependence – Often, but not necessarily, this follows the 3rd age. E.g. an accident suddenly can throw us into this age any-when in our life’s journey.

Exploring skills and resources for the final stages in life

In the Curriculum for the 4th Age we address many issues that are relevant to prepare us for a graceful 4th age. For any individual this work is never done as it is ever evolving as we get older, our needs, perspectives and circumstances change. Addressing these issues (and many others that arise as we get older or have to deal with ill health) can be a spiritual practice that can bring us mindfulness and serenity.

The following sessions were organised by the CCC from 2011:

  1. Financing care
  2. Clutter clearing
  3. The Wheelchair friendly home
  4. Care Strategy
  5. Preparing for continued independent living with some support if required
  6. Facing our fears around ageing, death and dying
  7. Life review
  8. Buddy networks
  9. How to train your carer
  10. Bucket List
  11. Review of Bucket list
  12. Making a will
  13. Power of Attorney
  14. Funeral Preparations
  15. Dementia
  16. SCAMS

The following notes are personal notes from CCC members and may not be complete – but they are the best record we have at this point.

Financing Care

What is the present situation regarding funding for care? Who decides? How much care is paid for? Who pays? Funding for respite care? Funding for adaptations to the home? etc. etc.

The question of funding care is one of the corner stones needed to ‘put your house in order’ for personal and social sustainability.

Clutter clearing

Report of Community Care Circle Workshop Curriculum for the 4″‘ Age: Clutter Clearing 25 May 2011

We began with a Quiz Everyone was asked to stand, then sit down if: – you fairly often have to hunt for your house keys, car keys or spectacles — you could not produce your passport in less than 2 minutes — you have things in your house/loft/garage/shed that don’t work or are broken, and there’s little chance they’ll ever be mended – you often feel that your house is overIoaded………etc (If you’re still standing you can go home!) We looked at the effects of living with the kind of situations that had you sifting down. And at how we benefit from being clutter-free and organised? Why particularly at this time of life? , -To maintain independence as long as possible; »* a ‘ -To prepare ourselves for being cared for by having our affairs in order and our home clear and orderly; – -So as not to leave a burden for the next generation, or unintentional shocks and surprises! -To be ready to down-size to go to smaller place or a home. -To have energy for unfulfilled dreams/ambitions/journeys etc -For 4″‘ Age service…..maximum freedom/fluidity/responsiveness What does it mean to be organised? You can find what you need when you need it. You don’t feel encumbered in achieving your goals. You are happy in your space. We addressed particular clutter challenges such as paper work, emails, the post, books. The key message here is to reduce what comes into your home or email box; return unsolicited post to sender, and find the ‘Unsubscribe’ box for unwanted regular emails. Various possible initiatives arose: A “Clutter List” of seldom used items people are happy to share. We have so far a fondue set, VHS recorder, digital projector and a shredder. A Swap Party of women’s clothes, Wed 6*“ July 11-12:30. A combined trip to Waste Busters to get rid of our surplus. Co-Cluttering (or should that be Co—De-Cluttering!) where people help each other with specific tasks. Session and report by Margie McCallum

Wheelchair friendly house

Report of Community Care Circle Workshop Curriculum for the 4″‘ Age: The Wheelchair-Friendly House 22 June 2011

Occupational Therapist, Janice McLeod: OT is about maximising the abilities we do have, physical and mental. The 0Ts are part of Moray Community Health, opposite the Post Office in Forres. A GP referral is not necessary (though more information may be sought from your GP). Phone the Duty Line: 01309 694000 Examples of self referral would include decreasing mobility regarding getting out of bed, out of a chair, in and out of the house, using the toilet and bath. Increasingly the emphasis is on “enablement”; doing with, not for. An OT will visit your home and look at things you’re struggling with and suggest different ways to do things, possible equipment, and therapeutic help. The Moray Resource Centre, part of the Disabled Living Centre in Elgin, would be well worth a visit to learn what help and aids are available. Ring first: 01343 551339 Sensory Services, Moray. (next door) For hearing and sight Moray Care and Repair: Helps those with own home or private rental get quotes and ensure work is completed. Ph. 01343 548660 Handy Person Service: (free) Small one-off jobs such as hanging pictures, fixing a sticky lock, changing light bulbs. Telecare all manner of aids to assist the care of someone vulnerable, such as sensors to alert that the person is going out the door, or is out of bed, or heading up the stairs.” (charge £15 per quarter) ‘ Wheelchair Care: private company in Forres Shopmobility: wheelchairs and scooters for shopping in Elgin. Ph. 01343 552528 Red Cross: short term borrowing of equipment. Ph. 01343 542203 Stair Lifts: can be applied for — installed free of charge and a quarterly charge made Home Accessible Grants: eg to convert bathroom to wet room. 80% granted, and 20% assessed on income, but grants are only made when all the smaller aids have been tried. Community Care Circle (NFA) owns some equipment stored in The Park Assessment: Priority 1: usually visited within 2 weeks (really at risk; terminal illness; children; out of hospital) Priority 2: up to 8 weeks The ideal home for someone approaching the 4″‘ Age: 1. square rooms — much easier layout for wheelchairs (15m square is good size) 2. on one level with lift, or ground floor 3. no thresholds between rooms 4. plugs and light switches at a height accessible when sitting 5. lowered area in kitchen for making hot drinks and snacks from a wheelchair 6. fridge, stove and shelves at mid—range height 7. B00-850mm door width 8. lever taps and door handles 9. an electric socket and telephone socket less that 1.5m apart 10.toilet at height of 20 inches 11.reinforced ceiling for ceiling hoist 12.slim radiators or under floor heating 13.doors opening against the wall, or sliding 14.bathroom door opening out Report: Margie McCallum

Care Strategy

There is a range of levels in Caring

  • caring for someone
  • co-caring – helping each other with varying needs
  • receiving care

They all interlink and require a balance of

  • personal development, consciousness, attitude – “gratitude”
  • personal relationships – “nurturance”
  • personal and collective resources – “support”.

Preparing For Continued Independent Living With Some Support if Required

Key Questions:

  1. What would I find difficult about receiving care?Loss of independence, control, privacy, dignity, having to ask for help
  2. How could I help myself if I need help? Being honest and realistic about what I can do and what I need, being clear in my requests, accepting help with grace and appreciation, keeping a sense of humour

Things to consider which would help me keep as much independence as possible and help anyone who was supporting me.

Home

Ease of mobility inside, ease of cleaning, removal of unnecessary furniture, de-clutter everywhere –cupboards, shelves, books, clothes, garage, sheds

Give everything a place so you remember where it is and can direct people

Heating – is it adequate in key rooms

Bathroom – possibility of a walk –in shower (removal of bath if necessary)

Bedroom – single bed, access to bathroom & toilet, room for commode

Access to home – state of paths, steps, wheelchair access, lighting

Garden – low maintenance, keep trees and hedges manageable, allow others to use your garden for growing veg. etc

Personal Affairs – keep in order, make a Will, appoint executors, up to date address book, personal papers in an accessible file eg birth, marriage, certificates, Will, funeral requests, bank accounts, car details, addresses of pension providers

If a couple and one does all the paper work consider working together so both know what to do

Care – advice about what is available eg personal care, delivery of meals, home help, personal support from friends, installation of safety equipment eg hand rails, alarm button

Extra paid support – cleaner, gardener

Continuing  and developing interests, hobbies, friendships – radio, music, t.v., reading, crafts, light gardening, coffee mornings, emails, participating in community activities and events.

Emotional/Spiritual – taking care of unfinished business, unfulfilled, dreams, ambitions, promises, journeys

Healing rifts, completions, forgiveness

 Facing Our Fears around Ageing, Death and Dying

Questions to consider in small groups:

  1. What are your worst fears around ageing?
  2. What fears do you have around death and dying?

Summary of Responses to Fears Around Ageing.

loss of independence

loss of dignity

fear that I have not completed my Soul task/purpose before dying

fear of pain, discomfort and limitation

fear of being alone during the ageing process

fear of losing the plot and if friends will tell me

fear of becoming ugly

fear of becoming irrational, violent and abusive

fear of having to care for another person and feeling incapable

fear of living alone and not being able to summon help in an emergency

fear of being in an environment eg a care home where I may not have peace and quiet

fear of being neglected or abused in a residential care  home

loss of role, identity, career

Fear of being a burden

fear of being locked in my body eg in a coma

fear of depression, dementia, Alzheimers disease

loss of freedom to go outside in nature

 Summary of responses to Fears Around death and Dying

fear of a painful, lonely or lingering death

fear of waking inside a coffin

fear of extinction and the unknown

fear of letting go of all I love and sadness of leaving loved ones

fear of not being able to breathe

fear of not being able to choose when I die and fear that my children will  not be  present

anxiety about leaving a partner behind

anxiety around concepts of ‘heaven’ and ‘hell ‘ and have I  done enough?

fear about the actual process of dying

fear around my actual state of being at death eg fearful, in shock

not being in control

mistrust of conventional medicine and finding the right treatment if required or the right to say ‘leave me alone’

anxiety about when it is time to call the family for the final goodbye

fear I won’t be able to express my needs

 Hope Can We Support Each Other to Face All These fears?

  •  We found it helpful to talk about our fears and know that we are not alone as everyone else had very similar fears to us.
  • We agreed to create a ‘Buddy Network’ where we had the permission to contact a buddy should we require assistance. It was suggested that by the time we next meet we will have found 4 buddies  each.

 Life review

Report on Curriculum for the 4″‘ Age Workshop 4″‘ January 2012 ‘Life Review’

We reflected on the following questions on our own, then shared in pairs, and then brought to the whole group something significant that came up for us. 1. What do I bring to life that is uniquely me? (abilities, attitudes, achievements, passions, skills, loves… think about your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual self… your connection with family, friendship, health and well—being, work, contribution, leisure… ) 2. What do I give to others, and what do they receive from me? (listening, food, cherishlng, respect…) C 3. What might I choose to compost, complete, leave behind? (relationships, situations, attitudes, activities, commitments, dreams, resentments, guilts, sorrows, disappointments…) 4. What might I choose to bring forward to the next part of my life? ‘“ ‘ 7 These are some of the responses: *Speak my truth — live more loudly — let others challenge me if they want to. *Compost the ties that bind me to my ex-husband and children and the wish to be loved and approved of by them and their spouses. *Leave behind judgement of myself and others, and my over-commitment, stress and guilt. Trust that I can pace and nurture myself. *Enhance my divine connection, inner-time, solitude. *Recognise that I do belong; step forward from my time of retreat. *Reflect on my own needs, bringing forward a sense of inner harmony. Release the need to serve — just share my own life in joy. *Work towards starting something like this group, that is Forres-based for Forres people. *Be prepared to get out of my comfort-zone and live more adventurously. Be kind to myself. *Be in a place of gratitude for all the richness of my life. Really embrace life, take risks, go for it! *Synthesise what and who I am, and bring that forward into transformation. *Move towards bravery and optimism. *Brlng myself into oneness in my physical/emotional/and spiritual being. Share my path with others more — my experiences with Nature and the Divine. Release doubts and self- judgement. Enjoy music, song and dance. *“Put the rocks in first” — sing, dance, play, paint, write. Work towards transforming conflict — my own Inner, with others, and in the Community.

The Buddy Network

workshop format:

1) Our personal Buddy network – are there buddies in the room? => small groups to discuss what would they want from their buddy, what can they give to a buddy network. Very practical, very specific

If anyone doesn’t have buddy in the room get together and discuss theoretically. How to find buddies for those who still need some.

Feedback findings to all – make sure it includes

definition of buddy/commitment expectations – reciprocal, co-caring, “godparent”, formal set-up, lapse only with mutual agreement, mentor, friend, lend a hand, pass on information, facilitate support, be at the end of the phone, not long-term care commitment rather a commitment to keep in touch, not a taxi-service, importance to give a ‘loving no’ to your buddy “I can only trust your Yes if I know your No”, confidentiality

practicalities – display tel. numbers by your telephone, network: let all your buddies know who your buddies are

2) How to create a culture of Buddy Networks in the community?

3) Next steps

 Bucket List Workshop

Introduction: Explain what a ‘bucket list‘ is. (dreams/wishes you would like
to fulfil before you ‘kick the bucket‘)

  1. Think of a dream or wish that you once had which has been fulfilled.
  2. Is there a dream or wish that you have now abandoned? Can you replace
    this wish/dream with something else, which would bring you a similar sense of
    achievement or wholeness?
  3. What dreams/wishes do you have yet to be realised? This could be a place
    to visit, an activity or hobby, a work project, some kind of creative expression or
    unfinished business etc
    4. From your list of dreams/wishes choose one, which you could realistically
    work towards fulfilling.
    You are invited to report back at our next workshop in September. You may
    wish to call on your buddies for assistance or encouragement.

Completion: Form one circle and everyone is invited to share the dream/wish
they aim to work towards fulfilling by September.

Have you made a Will?

WHY SHOULD I MAKE A WILL?

Without a will you cannot control who will inherit your property after death and your property will be distributed according to the law.

Making a will enables you to determine who will administer your estate after death.

Making a will allows you to appoint a guardian for any minor age children you have if they are left without a surviving parent.

Your will can include preferences for burial or cremation or organ donation.

WHO SHOULD MAKE A WILL?

BOTH partners in a marriage or civil partnership should each make a will.

If you are living with someone and you want that person to benefit from your estate you MUST make a will expressing your wishes otherwise your partner may receive nothing.

WHO WILL ADMINISTER MY ESTATE AFTER DEATH?

You need to name an executer in your will. The executer is responsible for ensuring your property is distributed to your beneficiaries according to your wishes. The executer could be a friend, family member or a solicitor.

CAN I MAKE CHANGES TO MY WILL?

You can amend or add something to your will using a codicil which should be witnessed and signed. However you should not change your will by revising  or altering it by crossing things out etc as this will make it invalid.

WHEN IS IT NECESSARY TO MAKE A NEW WILL?

You should consider making a new will when there is a big change in financial circumstances, marriage or civil partnership, family additions, moving to another country, divorce.

DO I NEED TO GO TO A SOLICITOR TO MAKE A WILL?

If your affairs are complicated you should ask your solicitor to draft your will.

If your affairs are simple and straightforward you can make your own will. You need to ensure you use a Scottish Will Form which is different to an English Will Form. You can get Scottish Will Packs from Amazon eg Lawpack-Self Help Kit

Once you have made a will keep it in a safe place and inform your executer where it is kept.

Remember if you die without making a will it can leave your family and friends with a lot of unnecessary work to do.

 Power of Attorney

Over 20 people attended the meeting of 30 March for the presentation on Continuing and Welfare Power of Attorney (PA), principally led by local solicitor Colin Styles.

There are two types of Power of Attorney-one to cover welfare and another (Continuing)
to cover financial affairs. A solicitor strongly suggests you cover both areas. This legal document lets you appoint someone you trust such as a friend, relative or professional to make decisions on your behalf should you become mentally incapacitated at any time.

To set up Power of Attorney you need the document to be signed by a solicitor and a GP. It
then has to be registered with the Office of Public Guardian. ;
You do not need a solicitor to draw up PoA . Information available on http://www.publicguardian-scotland.gov.uk/power-of-attorney

The Community Care Circle will follow up the meeting on PA with another session in the
CC after the l0.00AM Meditation in The Park Sanctuary on 11 May. Power of Attorney
forms will be available for people to discuss and complete if they wish. Do come and join
us.

 What Makes a Funeral?

Report on Curriculum for the 4th Age 12 October 2011

Questions to ponder:

Right now, if someone close to you died, how prepared would you be, emotionally and informationally, to give them a fitting farewell?

Why have a funeral? – to share feelings of grief and loss and give/receive support; to honour and celebrate the life of the person who has died; to dispose of the body; and to acknowledge that life has changed, and begin to look towards the future with hope.

Who is a funeral for? – both the deceased, to carry out his/her wishes, if known, and those who need to remember, to say goodbye, to make their completion  and sometimes there is a tricky balance to hold. Respect their wishes; meet your needs.

Where might a funeral be held? – The funeral ceremony may be held anywhere, with the permission of those affected — village hall, hotel, club room, sports centre, your own home or garden, on a boat… where best might reflect the individual person, and meet practical considerations. –

— there are also options about where a body may be . lf
l buried… on farm land, in a large garden, at sea, here in Wilkie’s Wood natural burial it
ground. There are considerations governing the more unusual options, but they do exist. ;
What makes a funeral uniquely appropriate to the particular person? – the venue, coffin/shroud, style of ceremony, readings, music, tributes, symbolic objects, style/colour
of dress, mode of transportation, floral decoration, service sheet or other take-home
F memory, photos, slide show…
A What is a ‘Findhorn’ funeral like?

‘ What would you like for your own funeral? And what don’t you want? How much
would you like to plan yourself and how much leave to family and friends to decide?
Resources:
Wilkie’s Wood Green Burial Ground — info on: http://www.findhornhinterland.org/green-burial/

 Dementia

1) we listened together to an interview with Joan Bakewell “Suppose I Loose It” on BBC radio – http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04v383w and discussed our thoughts and feelings

2) we invited a Dementia Advisor from Alzheimer Scotland to speak to us about diagnosis, prognosis, treatment options, support available etc. It is clear that there more information an individual and their surrounding family and community has about dementia the better the life quality of the dementia sufferer. Addressing fears and taboos will allow people to continue to interact, participate in life, enjoy nature, exercise and social activities. More information on http://www.alzscot.org/

Next steps:

Making a Playlist for Life – music can stimulate memories, social interaction, calm an agitated dementia suffered. More info on http://www.playlistforlife.org.uk/

Becoming a Dementia Friend

Creating community trainings to raise awareness, information and skill levels

How to be SCAM savvy

On 8th April 2015 Stuart Duncan, Consumer Advisor for Trading Standards gave a talk in the CC about SCAMS. Below are some keynotes from that talk. A recording was made; if you want access to that, please contact Cornelia (01309 690943).

  • Never give your bank details to a cold caller – telephone, internet or in person – not for any reason whatsoever. If you receive a call asking you to phone (eg. Bank), don’t phone immediately from the same phone as you have received the call as they may not have hung up. A genuine business line will certainly have a dialing tone (which may be absent in a SCAM), and is most likely to have ‘Option selection 1, 2, 3 … etc.’ Scam numbers may not. IF IN DOUBT DON’T! Go to your bank in person to verify.
  • Don’t allow anyone you don’t trust 100% into your computer.
  • UCASH and WESTERN UNION are useful for transferring money abroad, but can have fraud problems. Don’t ever use either of these on someone else’s instructions.
  • SCAMS often happen as a result of names on mailing lists; try to get your name and details off mailing lists. This can be done online http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/mpsr/mps_choosetype.html
  • Advice against using itinerant labourers and workmen as they take work away from local workmen. Itinerant workmen may not be available to follow up on faulty work or problems.
  • Telephone SCAMS – it often doesn’t work to use Telephone Preference Service because of the multitude of providers used; best to contact your own Telephone Provider.
  • A website with .co.uk may not be a UK company; make no assumptions. If you want to check details of a website you can contact Centralops (centralops.net/‎), enter the web address you want to know about and get details.
  • If e-mail has been hacked you may have to change your e-mail address – get advice from a trusted expert.
  • PPI calls – difficult to stop these; you can complain to the Information Commissioner (https://ico.org.uk/). It is useful to be able to provide information such as telephone number; the accent of the speaker etc. Martin Lewis moneysavingsexpert (moneysavingexpert.com) gives detailed information for proactively pursuing PPI claims.
  • Fraudulent use of credit cards when it’s not your fault – Section 75 of Consumer Credit Act makes it mandatory that sums over £100 are reimbursed.

NB: these notes were made sketchily, by hand, during the talk to the best of my ability. I make no guarantee of complete accuracy and recommend you go to the recording to verify details, but this may serve as a quick fire reminder of the issues covered.                                                                      Vivien.

  

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