A sensitive area, however as carers we are told to always be on the look out for any sign of abuse within a visit. This could be physical, emotional, financial, verbal, discrimination,self harm,eating, drink,drugs, the list goes on. However, what about the carer being abused?
Sadly it does occur, and once again a situation where as a carer you find yourself making excuses for the abuser because of the situation they are in and having to cope with it.They are probably angry, annoyed at abilities which have been reduced and basic frustration.However, they do require help and if you have been abused you require support too.
Quite simply it is not acceptable. To be cornered in a kitchen with all sorts of utensils to hand to the abuser and no way of the service user being reasonably talked out of it, is a scary situation to be in. In this scenario, visits became a double up and as should be the case the carer was withdrawn from visiting.
The ongoing effects can run quite deep.Support, as with most things is offered by the crate load at the time because its 'all new' but what happens a couple of months down the line and you realise you would benefit from some help now?
It is out there.You are NOT alone and it is quite natural for it to take a while to come to the surface.
Should you feel you are in that situation now, please feel strong enough to get in touch with the Carers Coffee Pot. All messages recieved are viewed personally before being published so it won't go on the blog if you don't want it too, just make sure you say so.
Alternatively, if you want a reply you can always email to carerscoffeepot@gmail.com and I can reply to you as soon as I can.
You are important to the CarersCoffee Pot, and your wellbeing is important to you.
If you have a few minutes, take a look at this article.....You really are not alone.
http://suite101.com/article/caregiver-abuse-by-an-elderly-spouse-or-parent-a215050
Friday, 6 July 2012
Monday, 2 July 2012
Affection and Calm
Beautiful words from the Dalai Lama.....
Affection and a calm mind are important to us. A calm mind is good for our physical health, but it also enables us to use our intelligence properly and to see things more realistically. Affection too is important because it counters anger, hatred and suspicion that can prevent our minds from functioning clearly.
Affection and a calm mind are important to us. A calm mind is good for our physical health, but it also enables us to use our intelligence properly and to see things more realistically. Affection too is important because it counters anger, hatred and suspicion that can prevent our minds from functioning clearly.
Sunday, 1 July 2012
Carers Coffee Pot - Community careworkers...sharing good days and bad days.: Don't forget your toothbrush!!
Carers Coffee Pot - Community careworkers...sharing good days and bad days.: Don't forget your toothbrush!!: I'd arrived at the visit and straight away I had to get into action. I'd let the paramedics in, the warden was on their way and I was trying...
Friday, 29 June 2012
WHAT MAKES YOUR DAY?
Usually I tend to write about past experiences which have an affect on the present and share with you all.
Today is different because I had what I call a 'GRATITUDE ATTACK!'
Its a wonderful warm feeling when you notice it happen and the world around you seems to 'refresh'!
Each day I am blessed with the cheekiness and mischief my toddler son expresses - be it emptying his shampoo bottle all over the windows or proudly walking into the room with his toothbrush, very much squeezed toothpaste tube and minty toes to match his teeth!! Priceless!
Each day for him is a new adventure as he explores and discovers the world. He is emerging into a wonderful little fella who chases the clouds away everyday.
Today was the day for something else to emerge into our world....a butterfly! (sorry if you felt it was an anti climax!)
This beautiful creature fluttered around the garden- to get his bearings- for a good hour or so. Never going too far away and always coming back to perch on the garden chair. How good it must feel to be able to stretch out those wings, feel the warmth and let the warm breeze take you.
It was a wonderful experience and daft as it may sound to some, I felt privileged to be a part of this butterfly's journey.
As the butterfly gained confidence and realised just how much he could do and where he could go I bid him goodday and said thank you.....off he went.
It got me thinking, how wonderful it must feel for all those who have carers come into their life and share their own 'emergence' as they become able to do more after a difficult time.The visits cease or reduce and off they flutter. Beautiful.
So, what makes your day? I would love to know.
123Friendster.com - More Butterfly Quotes Comments
Today is different because I had what I call a 'GRATITUDE ATTACK!'
Its a wonderful warm feeling when you notice it happen and the world around you seems to 'refresh'!
Each day I am blessed with the cheekiness and mischief my toddler son expresses - be it emptying his shampoo bottle all over the windows or proudly walking into the room with his toothbrush, very much squeezed toothpaste tube and minty toes to match his teeth!! Priceless!
Each day for him is a new adventure as he explores and discovers the world. He is emerging into a wonderful little fella who chases the clouds away everyday.
Today was the day for something else to emerge into our world....a butterfly! (sorry if you felt it was an anti climax!)
This beautiful creature fluttered around the garden- to get his bearings- for a good hour or so. Never going too far away and always coming back to perch on the garden chair. How good it must feel to be able to stretch out those wings, feel the warmth and let the warm breeze take you.
It was a wonderful experience and daft as it may sound to some, I felt privileged to be a part of this butterfly's journey.
As the butterfly gained confidence and realised just how much he could do and where he could go I bid him goodday and said thank you.....off he went.
It got me thinking, how wonderful it must feel for all those who have carers come into their life and share their own 'emergence' as they become able to do more after a difficult time.The visits cease or reduce and off they flutter. Beautiful.
So, what makes your day? I would love to know.
123Friendster.com - More Butterfly Quotes Comments
Monday, 25 June 2012
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
AWARENESS DATES THIS WEEK
NATIONAL BIPOLAR AWARENESS DAY Wednesday 27 June 2012
A public education campaign, Bipolar Awareness Day will be launched on 2012 by Bipolar UK, the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Bipolar Scotland.
http://www.recoverywirral.com/
WRONG TROUSERS DAY 29 JUNE 2012
Wallace and Gromit's Children's Foundation aims to raise money for sick children in hospitals and hospices throughout the UK.
www.wallaceandgromitfoundation.org/
NATIONAL BIPOLAR AWARENESS DAY Wednesday 27 June 2012
A public education campaign, Bipolar Awareness Day will be launched on 2012 by Bipolar UK, the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Bipolar Scotland.
http://www.recoverywirral.com/
WRONG TROUSERS DAY 29 JUNE 2012
Wallace and Gromit's Children's Foundation aims to raise money for sick children in hospitals and hospices throughout the UK.
www.wallaceandgromitfoundation.org/
WHISTLEBLOWING! Do you,don't you?!!!!!
I know you may well be looking at this with a sidewards glance and wincing but it does need to be highlighted.
First off, whistleblowing is for you to be able to report CONFIDENTIALLY any malpractice you see within the workplace.It could be regarding the welfare of a patient or service user, it could be regarding health and safety issues.Whatever it is, it does need to be addressed.
I've used this myself in the past.Yes, it felt uncomfortable to do but for the safety of the service user it had to be done and I had to speak out.
I had a few issues with how a double up visit was going each time I was in there with a particular colleague.The use of hoist and equipment was very lax ed and as they seemed to always assume lead role I felt very inferior. However, I could no longer be a part of such bad practise. I could see it was only a matter of time and through this one persons action they were putting the service user,themselves and me at risk. I would speak up in visit but it didn't seem to have an effect. Ultimately, I found myself in the managers office having to write down all my concerns and issues.
It is a difficult decision to make but when the person you are working with doesn't listen, you have to do something.
I really thought it would get sorted. I had gone through the right procedures and felt ;naively; it would be dealt with appropriately. The outcome in time,was after 'them' having a chat with the other colleague, they would keep an eye on things!
How serious does a situation have to be for action to be taken. This was about the welfare of a service user, misuse of equipment and if need be, maybe I should have pulled up the GRIEVANCE policy.
Get the support you need from the right people.If you need to go higher up,do so.
It is sad but true, that in the caring world there are occasionally the odd one or two who do slip up and continue to do it. It is a shame, as more often than not its these cases that seem to make the news and it does put a dark cloud over the majority who do a fantastic and efficient job and as ever it goes unnoticed.
For all those concerned or in a similar situation, if you can find it within you, please do speak up or at least get it recorded so that someone somewhere will do something!
DSZTQ3N975R3
"Stand before the people you fear and speak your mind -- even if your voice shakes." Maggie Kuhn
Please take a look at the following link for direction about whistleblowing. As ever, always check your employers procedures.
http://www.careuk.com/content/whistleblowing_home
First off, whistleblowing is for you to be able to report CONFIDENTIALLY any malpractice you see within the workplace.It could be regarding the welfare of a patient or service user, it could be regarding health and safety issues.Whatever it is, it does need to be addressed.
I've used this myself in the past.Yes, it felt uncomfortable to do but for the safety of the service user it had to be done and I had to speak out.
I had a few issues with how a double up visit was going each time I was in there with a particular colleague.The use of hoist and equipment was very lax ed and as they seemed to always assume lead role I felt very inferior. However, I could no longer be a part of such bad practise. I could see it was only a matter of time and through this one persons action they were putting the service user,themselves and me at risk. I would speak up in visit but it didn't seem to have an effect. Ultimately, I found myself in the managers office having to write down all my concerns and issues.
It is a difficult decision to make but when the person you are working with doesn't listen, you have to do something.
I really thought it would get sorted. I had gone through the right procedures and felt ;naively; it would be dealt with appropriately. The outcome in time,was after 'them' having a chat with the other colleague, they would keep an eye on things!
How serious does a situation have to be for action to be taken. This was about the welfare of a service user, misuse of equipment and if need be, maybe I should have pulled up the GRIEVANCE policy.
Get the support you need from the right people.If you need to go higher up,do so.
It is sad but true, that in the caring world there are occasionally the odd one or two who do slip up and continue to do it. It is a shame, as more often than not its these cases that seem to make the news and it does put a dark cloud over the majority who do a fantastic and efficient job and as ever it goes unnoticed.
For all those concerned or in a similar situation, if you can find it within you, please do speak up or at least get it recorded so that someone somewhere will do something!
DSZTQ3N975R3
"Stand before the people you fear and speak your mind -- even if your voice shakes." Maggie Kuhn
Please take a look at the following link for direction about whistleblowing. As ever, always check your employers procedures.
http://www.careuk.com/content/whistleblowing_home
Thursday, 21 June 2012
CELEBRATION OF PARKING RESTRICTIONS!
Its that time of the year when all around the country there are festivals, carnivals, 'major sporting events', etc taking place.
There are many individuals who have worked a long time and achieved personal goals through hard work,dedication and perseverance towards a lot of the events.
Its great to be a part of a country with so many celebrations going on. Its great to see vast amounts of people having fun and tourists seeing what we do best......Wait for it......here it comes.......HOWEVER....(told you!)...
.... road closures, parking restrictions, it makes me wonder what provisions are put in place for the community care/support worker and others who have to continue their daily and very much needed visits to service users.
Are the provisions put in place 'acceptable'? Is parking safe for evening visits? Have they addressed personal safety issues? Do you feel comfortable with it all?
If the nearest you can park to a visit is a good 10 minute walk away, will you 'realistically' be programmed enough time to park and walk, go into visit, walk back to the car, go onto the next visit, get caught up in extra traffic, take on extra visits because someones poorly(!) even though your workload is overflowing because of holiday cover and contend with whatever the weather will throw at you!!!! A hard enough task if it's for a couple of days but it must be quite daunting for any events that are on for ...ooh...lets say
3-4 weeks !!!!
Many probably won't say anything to the right people because it can be awkward and half the time you know that no action will be done about it and as usual, your caring nature is taken advantage of as they know you will just do it anyway. (can't help but think of the word 'bully' here.)
So, to all of you who will be caught up in this , stay strong and I hope there is plenty of support and understanding for the mammoth job you will have and the long hours you will do. I'm sure there will be enough supervisors( normally office based but told to work from home during this period )who will support their team and join in to help cover visits local to them. Its all about working together isn't it? Dedication and perseverance to staff and service users.
Thank you in advance for your commitment.
Strongly advise you to take a look at the following link for personal safety tips while out and about.I think it will open your eyes.
http://www.suzylamplugh.org/
There are many individuals who have worked a long time and achieved personal goals through hard work,dedication and perseverance towards a lot of the events.
Its great to be a part of a country with so many celebrations going on. Its great to see vast amounts of people having fun and tourists seeing what we do best......Wait for it......here it comes.......HOWEVER....(told you!)...
.... road closures, parking restrictions, it makes me wonder what provisions are put in place for the community care/support worker and others who have to continue their daily and very much needed visits to service users.
Are the provisions put in place 'acceptable'? Is parking safe for evening visits? Have they addressed personal safety issues? Do you feel comfortable with it all?
If the nearest you can park to a visit is a good 10 minute walk away, will you 'realistically' be programmed enough time to park and walk, go into visit, walk back to the car, go onto the next visit, get caught up in extra traffic, take on extra visits because someones poorly(!) even though your workload is overflowing because of holiday cover and contend with whatever the weather will throw at you!!!! A hard enough task if it's for a couple of days but it must be quite daunting for any events that are on for ...ooh...lets say
3-4 weeks !!!!
Many probably won't say anything to the right people because it can be awkward and half the time you know that no action will be done about it and as usual, your caring nature is taken advantage of as they know you will just do it anyway. (can't help but think of the word 'bully' here.)
So, to all of you who will be caught up in this , stay strong and I hope there is plenty of support and understanding for the mammoth job you will have and the long hours you will do. I'm sure there will be enough supervisors( normally office based but told to work from home during this period )who will support their team and join in to help cover visits local to them. Its all about working together isn't it? Dedication and perseverance to staff and service users.
Thank you in advance for your commitment.
Strongly advise you to take a look at the following link for personal safety tips while out and about.I think it will open your eyes.
http://www.suzylamplugh.org/
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