Hello Everyone – When is it ok not to tell the truth?
I am asking this question today due to a conversation I had with my Mum on Saturday.
Mum asked ‘Why can I not remember anything anymore’?
As you might know, Mum has Dementia, most likely Cardiovascular Dementia due to the strokes and a long history of Diabetes, limited exercise etc.. I thought do I say this or do I limit what I say? I have to tell you it was upsetting and I did inwardly get upset but I resorted to my professional stance/face (some of you have seen it) and I gave a honest answer but not a full answer.
I spoke about how strokes can make you lose your memory or at least have an impact on your memory. I did not mention Dementia because it would of caused her more anxiety and distress. However, It has played on mind all weekend, should I have been honest?
I think I did the right thing and I am relaxing into my decision but it did make think how do you as carers manage difficult questions with your loved ones? I am sure we have and will have difficulties, having to edit what you say.
I will say though there are times when you do need to have an full and open conversation with your loved ones, with yourself and sometimes these conversation are daunting.
Later this month on the 23rd November I am facilitating a workshop called ‘Life After Caring’. The workshop is looking at what you might need to put in place when someone is in their last years of life , either with terminal illness , old age or life limiting such as Dementia, you might want to learn what you can put intuit place for yourself so that you have peace of mind. I agree that talking about these things is difficult but believe me when I say it is more difficult if someone loses capacity or illness takes over and you do not have a clue what that person requires at the end or during their illness.
I am urging you to think about this and book a place on the workshop, so email me tony@ccth.org.uk
Just wanted to say that I had such a wonderful visit with my Mum, just us two and I took her some goodies, made her laugh and came away peaceful. I am still sorting out statutory needs assessment and Dad has a cataract operation in two weeks, so it is all go as it is for all of you. Have a wonderful week and we are here at the centre if you need us.
A Couple of things:
I have a three places left on Cookery Course, email to get a place. Here is an example of the recipe card you get when you attend.
I am looking for Bengali Carers of someone with Dementia and get £75 voucher for your participation and help other carers.
Also there are still places available for the next ‘Life After Caring’ workshop.
Email tony@ccth.org.uk
Free Wills with St JOSEPH’S Hospice
https://www.stjh.org.uk/support-us/gifts-in-wills/will-writing/
Enjoy the Fireworks, someone did not ….
Islamophobia Awareness Month
November is Islamophobia Awareness Month, which aims to showcase the positive contributions of Muslims as well as raise awareness of Islamophobia in society.
Tower Hamlets Council has organised two hate crime information and advice sessions which all residents are welcome to attend.
The first will be on Wednesday 9 November from 9.30am to 12.30pm at the Whitechapel Idea Store and the second will be at the East London Mosque on Friday 18 November from 12.30pm to 2pm.
Find out more about hate crimes here
Energy scheme pays £100 to do washing at night to stop blackouts
The typical household will be able to save approximately £100 through the new Demand Flexibility Service, which was today given approval by energy regulator Ofgem
Read in The Mirror: https://apple.news/AICBZrKFQRouc-b_uJ38ZxA
Tower Hamlets want to make sure that your local pharmacy (also called a chemist) is giving you the things that you need. For example, your prescription, getting advice on treating minor health concerns and healthy living and/or essential vaccination.
They are talking with people who live, work and learn in Tower Hamlets about this. It is really important that Carers views are included in this as many of you will manage prescriptions and medication on behalf of those you care for.
Feedback about the local pharmacy that you use most often. If you rarely go to the pharmacy, please tell them about the pharmacy that you used most recently. Your responses will help Tower Hamlets Council to prepare an assessment of the current and future needs of local people for pharmacy services. They will use your feedback to help develop a draft of the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) which will then be available for public consultation in the winter of 2022.
Please take a few minutes to complete the online survey.
EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO BANQUETING HOUSE
Join the HRP Communities Team at the Banqueting Hall for exclusive access to this revolutionary building. This event is for anyone who is part of a group which belongs to our Community Access Scheme, so please feel free to circulate the Eventbrite link below to any individuals/families who may be interested in attending so they can sign up.
Please state you are from Carers Centre Tower Hamlets
In Person: Sunday 04 December, 15.00.
|
|
Carers Annual Survey
There is still time to complete the Carers Centre Annual Survey, we want to hear from you about your experience here at the Centre. We want to know what we did well and what we need to do better.
The survey ends on 30th November and only takes 5 minutes of your time.
TAKE SURVEY HERE https://us18.list-manage.com/survey?u=5d5aa8bbe5c10b954c4ac3b28&id=ad35f0c98c&e=*|UNIQID|*
Thank you for your time
So have a positive and lovely week, look after yourselves, so you can care for others.
Don’t forget the Carers Centre provides Advocacy to Carers all year round
Email: bartshealth.rlpatientpanel@nhs.net
Call: 0203 594 2040
New for November …
Life After Caring – Wednesday 23rd November 11am to 1pm
We are repeating our workshop on Life After Caring, as carers have requested another session. This workshop enables carers to learn what they need to do proactively if they care for someone who is at the last years of their lives.
You have the chance to give your loved one’s a range of options that allows them to make choices about their care, how they want to live their remaining years and take control of their lives. This workshop allows carers to understand the needs of their loved ones and feel good about the arrangements and care they will make for cared for’s and family.
It also gives you the chance to think about yourselves and what would you want? Have you thought about what you want when you caring role comes to and end?
email tony@ccth.org.uk for a place
This Week’s Activities
Always Check out the https://ccth.org.uk/new/calendar/ for fun, activities, workshops and treatments
Don’t Forget to Get your Jabs – it makes sense to protect yourself so you can protect the person/s you care for……
Celebratory event for carers of Tower Hamlets residents.
Thursday 24th November
Come and join an amazing event for carers at The Ecology Pavilion Mile End Park
About this event
Do you provide regular unpaid support to someone living in Tower Hamlets? If so, you are welcome to join us at the Ecology Pavilion in Mile End Park for a fun-filled event to celebrate YOU and the role of unpaid carers of Tower Hamlets residents.
Organised by Tower Hamlets Council with its partners, and co-developed with unpaid carers, there will be a range of free activities available on the day, including:
- chair disco
- yoga
- chair massage
- craft activities
- smoothie bikes
- information and advice stands
- carers rights workshop
- lunch and teas, coffees to be provided
- and more to be confirmed
For support and information available to unpaid carers of Tower Hamlets residents please visit the Carers Centre Tower Hamlets website – https://ccth.org.uk/new/.
Please note: no parking is available at the venue itself. Resident is available around the venue, which is well served by public transport.
iSupport for South Asian Dementia Carers
Welcome meeting 23rd November 1.30pm to 3.30pm
- Do you support or look after a family member or friend who has Dementia?
- Do you speak Bengali?
- Are you aged over 18?
We would like your feedback on a resource for people looking after some with dementia.
iSupport is an internet-based support package for people who care for someone with dementia. It aims to help you learn about dementia and how to manage it, and how to take care of yourself with the end goal of empowering you to support your family member or friend. It was developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and is currently available in English.
A research project at University College London in partnership with Carers Centre Tower Hamlets is translating iSupport into Bengali, and culturally adapting it so that more people can access the resource.
We are inviting people to review iSupport materials in into Bengali then take part in a one-off group discussion to provide feedback.
What is involved?
- You will be sent iSupport resources in Bengali to read before the group discussion (either via email or printed copies).
- You will then be invited to attend the discussion taking place at Carers Centre Tower Hamlets to share your feedback and any recommendations for improvement.
- The discussion will last approximately 2 hours and will be held in Bengali.
You will receive a £75 Love2Shop voucher as a thank you for being involved.
Email Tony to reserve your place
Six new FOOD Stores to tackle poverty
Six new food pantries are being launched by Tower Hamlets Council to tackle poverty and support residents through the cost of living crisis.
In partnership with national charity Family Action, the FOOD Store project aims to provide affordable quality food.
Find out more >
Be savvy in the kitchen
Kettles are one of the most used appliances in the kitchen. But many of us will admit that we at least occasionally boil the kettle with more water than we’re going to use.
Avoid overfilling the kettle and save yourself £13 (£6 in NI) a year on your electricity bill.
You could also consider fitting an aerator onto your existing kitchen tap to reduce the amount of water coming out without affecting how it washes or rinses. An aerator is a small gadget with tiny holes – they attach to the spout of taps and are cheap and easy to install – and could save you £30 (£30 in NI) a year.
Important Numbers:
Domestic Violence Duty Line: 020 7364 4986 between 9am – 5pm.Victim Support: 020 7364 2448/7957
Tower Hamlets Connect/Adult Social Care : 0300 303 6070
When you have some minutes spare, you want to stay cool and listen to my soothing voice….
Listen to the Carers Ignite PODCAST – New One Coming Soon
Why not listen to The Carers Centre Podcast – This is our first podcast and we are pleased with it. A couple of carers approached me to ask if we could broaden our social media and develop a podcast for carers, made by carers and supported by the centre. We approached Graham our Chief Exec and he was all for it and gave the green light and thanks to Chandrika and her producer skills and the wonderful Lloyd who is the co-host with myself we developed our first podcast.
We discuss being a male carer, barriers to men seeking support, carers wellbeing while having a laugh and fun. We will be producing further podcasts and welcome stories/themes and guests to email me tony@ccth.org.uk
https://ccth.org.uk/new/information/carers-ignite/
| Launch of Somali National Helpline 0800 6102020 |
Better Safe Communities are pleased to inform you of the launch of the first historic Somali National Helpline, sponsored by the local businesses up and down the country and in regards to poor service provisions of UK public services for Somali communities nationally.
The Helpline was founded by Khadra Hersi, a student of London Met University. It is aimed at the Somali community, helping with language barriers, immigration, and mental health issues due to war in their country. The Somali National Helpline are a service that uses professionals to support people overcome issues they are facing. They exist to support individuals with language matters, mental health issues, and beneficiaries to solve their problems. They also provide translating and interpreting services. They are here to support and advocate for many problems faced within the Somali community such as young adults suffering from knife crime, and elderly people who feel isolated and lonely due to language barriers.
Why do you need a Lasting Power of Attorney?
Does the person you look after making their own decisions but want help managing their money? Maybe they can make their own decisions now but want an arrangement in case they can’t in the future. Without a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) your family may need to go to Court. This can cause lots of hassle, delay, and expense.
There are 2 types of Lasting Power of Attorney; finances & property matters and decisions about health and care.
Why should you do it now?
- 1 in 3 of us will suffer dementia
- Many of us will retain mental capacity, but will physically struggle to manage our affairs at some point in our life
- Being married or asking your chosen person to act for you is not enough – you need to legally give them the power to help you
- If you leave making your Power of Attorney until you need it, it will be too late.
Carers Centre Partners
The Carers Centre Tower Hamlets is pleased to work in partnership with respected Law firms to provide carers with affordable support with LPA.
Jones Whyte are a Glasgow based multi award winning Solicitor firm and the reigning Law Firm of the Year 2021
- They prepare thousands of Powers of Attorney every year
- Have partnerships with many major national charities
- They offer competitive Power of Attorney fees £349 + vat
Carers Centre staff can refer you, or you can contact them yourself on 0330 175 1234 or email appointments@joneswhyte.co.uk
You can find our more about Jones Whyte here Power of Attorney – Solicitors Glasgow | Jones Whyte Law
Duncan Lewis Solicitors – “We believe in access to justice for the most vulnerable in society and do everything we can to ensure legal advice and support is available for those who need it most”.
Duncan Lewis Solicitors are a national firm with offices locally.
- They prepare thousands of Powers of Attorney every year
- They are available for face-to-face appointments at their local office (1 Kingsland High Street, Dalston, Hackney, London, E8 2JS) or surgeries at the Carers Centre if requested
- They offer competitive Power of Attorney fees £350 + vat
Carers Centre staff can refer you, contact us on 0207 790 1765 or at enquiries@ccth.org.uk
You can find out more about Duncan Lewis here https://www.duncanlewis.co.uk
Most solicitor firms support with LPA and carers are under no obligation to use either firm listed above and are free to seek support from any firm they choose.
What is I do not want to pay for support with LPA?
We also provide workshops and information for those who want to set up an LPA themselves, many people set up LPA without legal support. You can check our Calendar or give us a call for updates on our latest workshops.
You can also see the information links below for information.
Different ways to manage someone’s affairs
Call us on 0207 790 1765 or email enquiries@ccth.org.uk to find out more about LPA.
A carers guide to home fire safety
A new video resource has been launched on the London Fire Brigade website to help carers learn how to keep people that receive care safe from fire.
Sadly, around one third of those here who die or are severely injured by fire are in receipt of some form of care or support. If you are a formal (domiciliary care worker, support worker or clinician) or informal carer (family member, friend or neighbour) and are caring for someone in their own home, this new resource will help you identify fire risks and show you what you can do to reduce them. There is also more information available on the website around fire safety and prevention.
Watch the video >
WALKING ALONE? REMEMBER THESE 10 TIPS
1) Plan Your Route
Make sure you plan your route ahead of time. If you are walking in an area you are not familiar with, this can help keep you from getting lost. You will be able to walk with confidence. If you do get lost, don’t wander aimlessly, find a gas station, supermarket, or fast-food restaurant where you can ask for directions.
2) Make Sure Someone Else Knows Your Plans
Don’t go out when it is dark without telling someone, even if you are just taking the dogs out for a walk around your neighbourhood or walking home from a friend’s house nearby. It may seem paranoid, but in fact, knowing someone knows where you are can be reassuring and help you feel safe. If you fall and hurt yourself or run into trouble, and someone knows where you are, they can send help if you don’t arrive at your destination on time.
3) Always Carry Your Phone with You
Always carry your phone, but not for music or to make social calls as your walk. Your phone can be a lifeline if you see something suspicious or worse if something happens to you. Download a safety app on your phone, so you’ll be able to discreetly alert the authorities if you feel threatened or see something suspicious.
4) Avoid Suspicious People and Areas
Areas that are dark, deserted, or out-of-the-way, such as an alley or a parking lot, can be riskier than a well-lit area full of people. Stick to busy, lighted paths, to minimize the risks. Also, walk mainly in familiar places where you are known. That way, if you feel like a suspicious person is following you, you can always duck into a store you know or knock on a neighbour’s door. Avoid empty streets and pathways with thick shrubbery.
5) Keep Your Hands Free
Except for a flashlight and one of the items discussed below, keep your hands free. If you are carrying anything, put it all in one bag or backpack. This will make it easier for you to react if you notice someone following you. In a dangerous situation, carrying too many bags can keep you from moving as quickly as you can if your hands are free or if you only have one bag.
6) Carry a Non-Violent Deterrent
In addition to a flashlight, carry a non-violent deterrent such as a whistle, mace, or pepper spray. A whistle will help you alert others and call them to aid you if something is wrong. The loud noise may put off attackers, and they’ll move on to find someone else. Mace or pepper spray can give you enough time to evade a potential attacker, and in a pinch, a flashlight can be used as a weapon. Make sure you know how to use the mace or pepper spray to get its full effect.
7) Wear Reflective Clothing to Prevent Accidents
When it comes to personal safety, it’s not just about suspicious people. Areas with low visibility can be prone to accidents. Reflective clothing allows bikers and cars to see you as you walk along. A flashlight or headlight can also help drivers see you if there are dark stretches of road on your route.
8) Take a Self-Defence Class
When fighting off something as an assault, the element of surprise can work in your favour. If you regularly walk alone, take a self-defence class. You don’t have to become a black belt. In fact, it’s probably better to learn something like Krav Maga, which has been popular for self-defence. The idea is to disable your attacker enough for you to get to safety, and a class focused on self-defence will help give you those survival skills.
9) Remove Any Distractions
Keep your phone in your hand in case you need to hit the panic button on your safety app, but don’t let it distract you. When walking alone at night for exercise, music can be motivating and energizing but also distracting. You may not hear someone driving or walking up behind you. Avoid wearing headphones or talking on your phone as you walk.
10) Trust Your Gut
When walking alone at night, trust your gut. If you feel like an area or situation may be dangerous, don’t wait around to find out. Stop and scan your surroundings if you think someone is following you. If you are being followed, walk as quickly as you can to a well-lit public place. You can wait until you feel safe, or call a friend, a taxi, or an Uber to help you get safely get home at night.
Following these personal safety tips will help keep you stay safe when walking alone. Always be aware of where you are and alert to suspicious activity.
Opening hours
Monday - Friday – 9.30am – 5pm
Saturday and Sunday – Closed
Follow us
