This post originally appeared on The Yorkshire Times. Living with dementia is incredibly difficult for those who are affected by it and also for their family and friends. As the person's mental capabilities begin to decline, they can feel scared and vulnerable and may require increased levels of help and support. There are a number of things that family, friends and other carers can do in order to help the
With the buzz and excitement of the Tour de France countdown in full swing, Thursday, July 3rd saw senior managers, Gemma and Ed , from West Yorkshire health and well-being charity Touchstone don yellow jerseys and set off on an epic cycle ride from Dewsbury to Leeds on a tandem. Energetically waving them off was the Kirklees Advocacy Service staff team, engaged and fully behind their quest to cycle
Touchstone's Chief Executive Alison Lowe outlines the impact of new legislation on carers and the services provided for them. I welcome moves by the Department of Health to inject an additional £4 million in funding to enable councils to train their staff in readiness for the implementation of the Care Act next April. Funds will be primarily earmarked to ensure staff are properly trained for when the new Act
I have participated in the Touchstone Positive Care Programme for the past 5 months. This amazing course combines 1 to 1 complementary therapy (e.g. reflexology, acupuncture, shiatsu, Indian head massage, healing) group activity (e.g. tai chi, meditation, Alexander technique, breathing) and group workshops (e.g. "lifting your spirits", "positive steps", "being friends with your body", "mind, body and spirit"). I had been going regularly to the Thursday night session at
Some feedback from a Positive Care Programme service user... Just a few lines to show my appreciation to the Positive Care Programme, which I have just completed. First and foremost I feel I am a much more positive person both in body and mind. When I fist attended the programme I had been off work for 17 months and I was using a walking stick. I felt unhappy, lacked
The following excerpts are from interviews taken with Positive Care Programme clients as they neared the end of their time with the Programme. Mac: "Be totally open minded about it and get as much out of it as you possibly can." Marie: "Knowing I was coming here just gave me the incentive to get up." Alan: "The Positive Care Programme has really helped me and it's given me a lot