Crossroads Care in the Vale

Local events to ‘remember the person’ during Dementia Awareness Week

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 07:38:37 +0000

Dementia Awareness Week, the annual awareness campaign organised by the Alzheimer’s Society, begins on Saturday 19th May 2012. It is an opportunity to increase people’s understanding of dementia and to remember that there’s more to a person than the disease.

The Alzheimer’s Society hope to make this year’s Dementia Awareness Week the most successful yet in Wales, with several events being held in or near Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan:

On Tuesday 22nd May there will be a dementia awareness pack launch, featuring ‘Singing for the brain’ at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay.

There will be an afternoon tea fundraiser with entertainment from 1.30pm to 4.30pm on Wednesday 23rd May at Court Colman, Pen-y-Fai, Bridgend.

A dementia awareness evening, including a cream tea, will be held from 4.30pm until 7pm on Wednesday 23rd May at the Alzheimer’s Society Cardiff and Vale, Oldwell Court, Ty Gwyn Road, Penylan, Cardiff. As well as talks by those affected by dementia, there will be an opportunity to see the recently refurbished day centre. For more information, please telephone (029) 2043 4960.

A ‘Singing for the brain’ concert will be held from 10.30am until 12.30pm on Friday 25th May at the Senedd, Cardiff Bay.

For more information about any of these events, or if you’d like to get involved with Dementia Awareness Week by organising a fundraising or awareness event, telephone Kate Hopkins on (029) 2048 0593 or email Kate.Hopkins@alzheimers.org.uk

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Carers’ Week event at Dyffryn to provide information for Carers

admin — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:51:58 +0000

Browsing the information stands at last year's event

There are almost six million carers in the UK, with 1.25 million people providing care for 50 hours a week or more. These are just two of the statistics provided by the organisers and promoters of Carers’ Week 2012, which will run from 18th to 24th June.

This year’s theme is ‘In Sickness and in Health’, which aims to highlight how the health and well-being of carers is paramount; how cuts to local services have a knock-on effect on the health and well-being of unpaid carers; and how recognition by professionals can help to make a massive difference.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council is once again getting together with various local caring organisations and charities, including Crossroads Care in the Vale, to organise a carers’ information and social event at Dyffryn Gardens on Tuesday 19th June.

Based in the marquee, there will be information stands, therapies such as reflexology, guided walks in the grounds, a buffet lunch and musical entertainment. Admission is by ticket only.

If you are a carer living in the Vale of Glamorgan, and would like to register your interest in the event, please telephone James Livingstone, Carers Development Officer at the Vale of Glamorgan Council, on (01446) 704604.

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Prime Minister pledges funding for dementia research and care

admin — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:20:38 +0000

Funding for research into dementia is to be doubled to £66m by 2015 to try to make the UK a world leader in the field, David Cameron has announced.

Dementia is thought to affect around 800,000 people in the UK, with the cost to society estimated at £23bn. In the next decade, the number with the disease is expected to top one million.

Mr Cameron has set out plans to step up research into cures and treatments and to ensure that the health and social care systems are equipped to deal with the problem.

Mr Cameron said: “One of the greatest challenges of our time is what I’d call the quiet crisis, one that steals lives and tears at the hearts of families, but that relative to its impact is hardly acknowledged.

“Dementia is simply a terrible disease. And it is a scandal that we as a country haven’t kept pace with it. The level of diagnosis, understanding and awareness of dementia is shockingly low. It is as though we’ve been in collective denial.”

The prime minister said that the costs associated with the disease are already higher than those for cancer, heart disease or stroke. Overall funding for dementia research in 2010 totalled £26.6m. Under the plan for 2015, it will be £66m.

Article adapted from the BBC website www.bbc.co.uk 26/03/12

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Study shows positive impact of Aricept on late-stage Alzheimer’s disease

admin — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:59:35 +0000

People with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease are often prescribed the drug donepezil, also known as Aricept, to reduce symptoms in the early to middle stages of their illness. However, a recent study has concluded that donepezil is still continuing to be beneficial to people in the later stage of the disease.

Professor Robert Howard of King’s College London Institute of Psychiatry, who led the study, said: “For the first time, we have robust and compelling evidence that treatment with these drugs can continue to help patients at the more severe stages. Patients who continued taking donepezil were about four months ahead in how they were able to remember, communicate and perform daily tasks than those who stopped taking the drugs”.

Professor Antony Bayer, Director of the Cardiff and Vale Memory Team and Head of Geriatric Medicine at Cardiff University, welcomed the findings: “This provides clear evidence that continued drug use has potential benefit for people with dementia and their families. All decisions about treatment should be based on what is in an individual’s best interest rather than blanket application of non-evidence based guidelines. Now we have evidence to justify what we do.”

A full report can be found on the BBC website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17275807

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“Business as usual” as Crossroads Care merges with Princess Royal Trust

admin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:20:17 +0000

Crossroads Care and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers have announced their intention to merge.

Plans have been approved by both boards after a programme of full due diligence. Subject to remaining formal and regulatory steps, the new charity will be operational from April 2012. A name for the new organisation is yet to be chosen and a chief executive to be appointed. A public launch date will soon be announced.

The Princess Royal has agreed to be President of the new charity, a role she has held at the Trust since it was formed in 1991. The charity will have the combined strengths of both Crossroads Care and the Princess Royal Trust. Forming a new charity will provide oportunities to launch increased services and fundraising initiatives, and to reach more carers.

The two charities have a strong history of successful collaboration and in supporting carers. By creating a new national charity they will be able to build on past successes and create a united and stronger network and voice.

The merger is of the two national bodies, so services provided by the two existing networks will continue to be provided by local independent network members.

Fiona Guthrie, Manager of Crossroads Care in the Vale, is encouraged by the merger and feels the new larger charity will have greater influence to promote the needs of carers across the UK. Fiona added, ”Although our scheme will not change in purpose or name, and will continue to provide a high level of support, we also look forward to developing stronger links with the Princess Royal Trust for Carers here in the Vale of Glamorgan”.

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Dementia bus visits the Western Vale

admin — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:59:45 +0000

The Alzheimer’s Society, Cardiff and Vale, is running a six month pilot project during 2012 taking their Information and Support Bus (nicknamed ‘Primrose’) to four areas in the Western Vale of Glamorgan.

Primrose will be visiting Cowbridge, Rhoose, Llantwit Major and St Bride’s Major on one Friday every month for the next 6 months.

The aims of the project are twofold:

For people who may have concerns about their memory to get information on dementia and the referral and diagnosis processes in a safe environment.

For people who are already caring for someone to access ongoing information, support and signposting to all other support services available to them.

There will be a member of Alzheimer’s Society staff on the bus, who can provide information and support. Anyone who has concerns is welcome to visit the bus.

Venues and times for the bus are as follows:

Cowbridge Council car park: 27th January; 24th February; 23rd March; 20th April & 18th May

Rhoose Social Club car park: 3rd February; 2nd March; 30th March; 4th May; 1st June

Llantwit Major, Filco car park: 13th January; 10th February; 9th March; 13th April; 11th May; 8th June

St Bride’s Major car park: 20th January; 17th February; 16th March; 27th April; 25th May; 15th June

If you would like further information, please contact the Alzheimer’s Society on (029) 2043 4960.

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Event to provide information for older people

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:42:16 +0000

Cardiff City Hall

‘Collaborate for Change’ is the theme of a stakeholder event to be held at City Hall, Cardiff, on Thursday 2nd February 2012, in recognition of the Older Person’s Mental Health Day.

It is hoped that the event, which will run from 10am until 4pm, will attract carers, service users, professionals and other interested parties.

There will be an opportunity to discuss developments within mental health services for older people within Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, and to hear the stories of carers looking after relatives with late life memory problems and confusion. Professor Tony Bayer of the Memory Team will give an overview of diagnosis and the treatment of dementia.

Attendees at the event are welcome to participate in workshops, gather information from statutory and voluntary sector service providers, and enjoy taster sessions of a number of therapies, such as aromatherapy and Indian Head Massage.

If you would like to attend the event, please contact Matt or Caroline at the Nexus Project on (029) 2022 2000 or email nexus@cvmhdp.org.uk.

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Crossroads’ Carers and dependent relatives celebrate Christmas

admin — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:44:00 +0000

: Having fun at the Christmas Event

Crossroads are organising a number of Christmas events during December.

CAMEO Past Carers Group enjoyed a festive lunch at the Harvester in Penarth, while carers and dependent relatives of the Western Vale Social Group will be meeting for lunch at the Lamb and Flag in Wick.

Crossroads Care also held a Christmas event at Penarth Conservative Club, where carers and their relatives enjoyed a two course buffet lunch, musical entertainment from Nicola Rose and Rhian Mair Lewis, and a grand raffle.

We would like to say a big thank you to the many carers who kindly donated raffle prizes, and to Sue Phillips, Trustee of Crossroads Care in the Vale, who called in and chatted to carers and clients at the event.

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New dementia service provides support in the Vale

admin — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:45:13 +0000

: Ellin and Dawn test out the new sofa

Ty Hapus, a new centre for people with dementia has opened at 163 Holton Road, Barry.

Health professionals and other interested parties were invited to view the facilities at a launch event on 12th December, with entertainment provided by singer and guitarist Heather Jones.

Ellin Jones, the centre’s Support Services Manager and Dawn John, Branch Manager of the Alzheimer’s Society, Cardiff and Vale, were on hand to give guided tours of the impressive premises.

The Halo Lounge and dining room at the front of the building is classically and comfortably furnished, and is intended for people under the age of 65 with a diagnosis of dementia. Daytime activities such as day trips, art and crafts, music and singing, gentle exercise and allotment gardening will be on offer for those using the Halo Lounge.

The Moondance Cafe, at the rear of the centre, is designed in a New England seaside style, and offers a calm and comfortable environment with newspapers, magazines and board games. This is a quiet space for all people with dementia, their carers, family, friends and professionals, who are welcome to drop in for a coffee, relax, and obtain information on the Alzheimer’s Society and other organisations.

Moondance also has a wellbeing room which will be used for counselling, holistic therapies, hairdressing and beauty treatments. There is Wi-Fi available in the cafe, and a number of social events are already being planned there.

Ty Hapus was founded by Justine Pickering to provide services to people with dementia in the Vale of Glamorgan. The charity is working in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society.

Ty Hapus is open Monday to Thursday between 10am and 4pm. If you would like further information, please contact Ellin Jones on (01446) 738024.

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Barry Men’s Forum learn about Crossroads Care services

admin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:58:12 +0000

Members of Barry Men's Forum

Members of Barry Men’s Forum invited Jo Hendry of Crossroads Care in the Vale to give a talk at their meeting on Thursday 13th October.

Jo spoke about the different forms and symptoms of dementia, and the support that Crossroads Care in the Vale provides for clients with dementia and their carers.

The Forum learned about Crossroads Care’s domiciliary care service, support and social groups, the counselling service, and day centre provision.

An explanation was also given about dementia diagnosis, medication, and the role of the Memory Team based at Llandough Hospital.

The morning concluded with a question and answer session, and John Rees Davies, on behalf of the group, thanked Jo for giving the talk.

Barry Men’s Forum meets every Thursday morning at the United Reformed Church on Windsor Road, Barry, from October through to April. For further details contact Mike Grey on 01446 408422.

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