Dementia tops agenda in London
Friends in London will meet to consider dementia
London Quakers will host a ‘dementia day’ at Friends House on Saturday 16 April. Three speakers will share their experiences.
Linda Shampan will describe accompanying her mother through dementia. She will focus on what can help sustain communication and relationships. Linda believes that Quakers can bring ‘something distinctive’ to dementia care.
She said: ‘I learnt a lot from attending Meeting for Worship – sitting in the silence with my sense of “not knowing”. This has helped me to find a way to sit quietly with the “not knowing” when in the presence of someone with dementia, and slowing down enough to allow time for the person to find a way to say what they might want to say or show me.’ Linda added: ‘The other aspect of Quaker wisdom which I found very helpful was in the concept of “answering that of God in each person” – it can perhaps be one way of holding a reminder to see and relate to the person who is still there, even if clouded by dementia.’
Eva Kalmus will discuss her work in looking after patients with dementia in an acute hospital setting and facilitating their move back into the community. She told the Friend that Quakers have an important contribution to make in that they recognise the intrinsic value of every person while not following a formal creed.
‘This allows us to explore the best ways to support affected individuals, carers and the communities in which we all live,’ she explained.
‘We also have a history of imaginative and innovative ways of addressing mental health challenges which can be part of dementia.
‘We understand that communi-cation, often affected in late stage dementia, can be nonverbal, and our testimonies to equality and simplicity have been of particular value to me working with patients affected by dementia.’
Lisa Hill will give the patient, carer and GP perspectives and consider the use of art to safely stimulate debate.
Clerk Keith Walton told the Friend that a London Quakers event last year focused on dying but time constraints meant that dementia had to be covered separately, hence this gathering. Dementia, he added, is ‘a subject that many of us will face, or indeed are facing today. It can be a lonely struggle.’
The talks will be followed by a dementia café, where participants will be encouraged to share their experiences of the condition. The event is open to all.
