Steel Band Entertain

Coombe Dingle Nursing Home in Caterham is an EMI home that is extremely good at managing and caring for clients with dementia/Alzheimers who also can present very challenging behaviour. They have "lost" an activity coordinator - original one left for maternity leave, returned for a short time, and decided Baby needed her more, so left. For ages staff had to double up with care duties to try to engage service users in some kind of activities in the mornings. Eventually, supposedly blamed on cut backs, as usual, that also disappeared.

It is so sad to see clients sitting, either staring into space, looking at the opposite wall, at other clients, often fast asleep, slumped in armchairs, or watching other "friends" engaging in fistycuffs sometimes, until expert staff succeed in using distracting techniques.

I found Tandridge Music Project, where the staff in that project visit, complete with musical instruments, and each client is able to play an instrument for a short time, together wtih their other "friends". I understand it was a success, and a good time was had by all. They are booked to return next month, and hopefully on a regular basis. First session is free, but thereafter Mangement will be paying for the visits.

Coupled with that, and partly as a belated birthday presie for my husband, I had another bright idea. I went to Dorking Halls last year for a lunch time concert to hear Eugene and his music - a Steel Band playing calypso, soca, reggae and salsa music. There were three chaps playing for our delight. I thought just the job for my John. Then I had a terrible year of poor health - steroids caused untold problems. I am still struggling, but finally manged to contact the leader of the group, and booked them to play on Friiday 25 February - even before I received your e mail about the Dignity Action Day.

That then became my own Action Day for the clients. It was rather prohibitive (cost wise) to hire the three men I saw play last year, but Eugene kindly agreed to do the gig with just one other man. Along they cam wtih their "oil drums" and fancy shirts - I want one! and played from 2 p.m. untl 4 p.m.

I travelled round local traders who were so kind, and provided/donated lovely gifts to be used on a Raffle table - One of our local furniture stores voluteered to let me select which picture I would like and I saw a beautify red rose in a large gilt frame - a lovely picture which originally, I suddenly discovered, was marked to sell at £50! but even though it had been reduced, I could not accept such a generous offer - we all know all stores, and public alike, are suffering from Mr. Cameron's tough cut backs - our own Local Authority adult and social care team is grossly depleted due to redundancies and retirements (sacking too I expect) making any contact virtually impossible if matter arises.

I accepted two smaller ones, equially beautiful. I had super support from severall shops, from cycling fingerless gloves (around £20.) a lovely rag dolll - Molly from Cycle shop, . A multi picture frame and puzzle book, from gift shop, Set of paint brushes from Decorator shop, Some rather indulgent Talc from local beauty salon, a crystal rose bowl and double candle holder, from antique dealer, and our raffle, complete with my other 'little addition' of a large baskeit of fruit from local greengrocer - sadly I got my words wrong when I went hoping for 'donation', and I bought it, but it made a super show piece, and was won by member of staff. Other relatives kindly worked hard - either as I did, seeking donations, or from their families, and Managemnet too provided some gifts.

I was chuffed when we made nearly £50. I have requsted management to ring fence that money, calling it a "treats Ktity" and tried on the day, when the band had a break, to ask, or enocurage, other relatives later in the year, hopefully to do as I have done, and get contact details, phone number, from Manager, and book another musician to give another delightful couple of hours. My idea is that the "Treats Kitty" could be used to go towards the booking free.. Hopefully then, they wlll also run another raffle - it is up to them where they get the goodies from - and then that money taken on the next event, could go to the next "Treats Kitty" for, I really hope, another relative to do likewise for our third event.

I know a friend of mine has already agreed it is a good idea and plans to do an event for her husband;s bithday in April. Music is so important for dementia clients, and the whole place came "alive" Those who could, were up and dancing, or just jigging on the spot with who ever would join hem - all very reluctant to sit down - often me, of course,.

I only regret my husband now is no longer permitted to try to walk, using zimmer, or being helped by care assistants - he is too unsteady (thanks to anti psychotics!! and hypnotic sleeping pills) and staff are at risk. They stand about five feet tall while he is six feet seven! He now has to be sling hoisted for every transfer. So sad. We used to dance the nights away in our younger days. Those who could not leave their recliner, or ordinary arm chairs - even they I noticed were trying to llift fingers, or hands, to try to tap along. Some were "singing" along, with others nodding to music beat.. The room became almost "electric".

Many staff ;ater remarked how good the muscians were. - one was due to go off shift, but I noticed she had stayed for qjuite a while to enjoy the music as well.

Local traders also kindly provided sausage rolls, baked that morning, and cakes from local bakeries and, of course, Management, kindly prepared some goodies to eat too. Tesco locally were great, and gave me 5 x 12 packs of fairy cakes 4 x 6 mini swiss vanilla swiss rolls packs, 2 x 6 chocolate selection assorted cakes.

All in all, I think, it was a great success, and I am really hoping Management, and I, can encourage others to do likewise for thier loved ones later in the year.

Management have decided to set up a Relatives' forum once a month to encourage relatives to get together on our own, with the Mangement providing tea and biscuits for us, so we can each listen to someone else, and share our concerns - a kimd of therapy few hours I think is the general idea. It could also serve for us to voice concerns we may have in the running of the home too. . A trouble shared is a troubele halved.

I would love to do it again myself but need to save up good and hard.