Since January 2019, Moorland Community Caring has employed a part-time Health & Wellbeing Co-ordinator to work with and support people living with dementia and memory loss.
The post has been funded or partially funded, annually, upon application, to Southern Devon’s award from the Improved Better Care Fund (iBCF) which is an additional payment made most years to County Councils from Central Government to support Social Care. We are a small charity that plays a vital role in our community.
There are many strands to the work, including:
- Advocacy
- Coaching
- Navigating
- Safeguarding
- Problem-solving
- Multi-agency participation
Referrals
Referrals are received from a variety of people and ways. Sometimes they come directly from people asking for support, perhaps from attending our Memory Café or word of mouth. Most of our referrals are received from GPs, the Older Peoples Mental Health Team (OPMHT), District Nurses, Social Prescribers and other Social Care agencies and charities.
The Wellbeing Programme
The personalised and individual tailored programme is designed to last between 12 and 20 weeks. Challenging issues, whether around diagnosis, diet, safety, isolation or medication, to name a few, are discussed and we identify priorities, seeking ways together to make improvements to a person’s life, as well of course, to those that love and live with them. Often Moorland Community Caring combines resources and works in partnership with others, to ensure that a person has all the knowledge to make informed decisions and plan for the future.
Community based
The role is community based, supporting patients and their families. Sometimes a patient is referred by a GP; sometimes the other way around. If you or a loved is living with memory problems/dementia and you would like to have a cuppa and a chat, do please contact us. Talking through issues at your pace, that affect you and your well-being might help and we would be delighted to listen and offer support. Connecting with other services and agencies can be daunting, so we will help you to do this. We pride ourselves on face-to-face contact, which some larger charities no longer do.
We see ourselves as a consistent, professional bridge between the people we support and statutory services, which has proven to be very effective.
Heather
I am Heather Manktelow, employed as a Wellbeing Co-ordinator supporting people living with dementia or memory loss.
I am married, no children, but have a very spoilt black Labrador dog called Frank. Frank likes people and he sometimes accompanies me as a Therapy Dog.
I enjoy working with people and helping them to navigate their way around memory problems/dementia and to live the best lives they possibly can. I support carers and families too. I work face to face with people in the community and I run a monthly Memory Café in Ashburton.
I also support end of life patients and families to prepare for what lies ahead.
A typical day
Every day is very different. I love receiving a new referral and anticipating the fresh challenges ahead and meeting new people, generally in their homes. The first time we meet, we chat through things that people and their loved ones are struggling with, and I assess ways that I can help. It might be informing them about social events and our Memory Café, signposting them regarding benefit checks or how to access help from Social Care or Care Direct Plus. It may be my giving some practical advice or recommending how one of our volunteers might help…but primarily getting to know the person.
I might help people to access a new activity or adapt or re-try an old favourite activity. I generally encourage people to ‘exercise their brains’, which is called Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST).
I sometimes accompany someone attending a medical appointment as an advocate or an additional listening ear.
I have helped our partner colleague from Conversation Works, Kathrine Bailey, with LifeStory Work or Memory Boxes.
I might be helping to fill in a ‘This Is Me’ (Alzheimers Society) form, which helps a range of colleagues know what support a person living with dementia requires to keep them comforted and helped. It addresses how a person likes their tea to what medication they may be prescribed.
Every individual is different so there is no ‘typical day’ for me.
If you think that I can help you, please contact me by telephone 07535 516747
or email heather.manktelow@nhs.net