Combined Touch CIC

Get in touch ☺️

Do you have what it takes to do a rewarding job? Do you have empathy and compassion? can you put yourself in someone else's shoes?

We are a small non-profit company that offers homecare to clients with and without Alzheimer's.

We offer companionship, we take our clients out wherever they would like to go and we also sit with them in their homes.

We do meal preparation, medication administration/prompts, we do personal care - baths, showers and bed baths.

We do light cleaning which consists of washing clothes, hoovering, dusting, mopping.

If you have a heart centred approach and can offer your skills, time and attention, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Phillip came to me today,
and said it was time to go.
I looked at him and smiled,
as i whispered that "I know"

I then turned and looked behind me,
and seen I was asleep.
All my Family were around me,
and I could hear them weep.

I gently touched each shoulder,
with Phillip by my side.
Then I turned away and walked,
with My Angel guide.

Phillip held my hand,
as he lead the way,
to a world where King's and Queens,
are Monarch's every day.

I was given a crown to wear
or a Halo known by some.
The difference is up here,
they are worn by everyone.

I felt a sense of peace,
my reign had seen its end.
70 years I had served my Country,
as the peoples friend.

Thank you for the years,
for all your time and love.
Now I am one of two again,
in our Palace up above.

We have a keen bird watcher who turns out to have quite a talent for drawing birds as well.

At Combined Touch our Service Users are encouraged to enjoy past and present hobbies.

J. just loves birds! 😁 We had a look at a big book of British birds together and then he decided to draw a woodpecker from the book cover.

Working with dementia sufferers at Combined Touch CIC, South Shields.

Working with Marian our Art Specialist from Callooh, we all loved this activity.

Walk With Me

by Norma McNamara

Walk a while with me my friends, walk with me today,
Come and see what I see, and listen to what I say,
Yes I have dementia, and sometimes I get worse,
Please be very grateful, that you don’t have this curse,
But are we all that different, the likes of you and me?
We breathe the same; we feel the same,
the same things we do see
The only different my friends, I don’t feel that well,
When I can’t remember, everything you tell,
My heart beats just as quickly as yours, my blood
runs just as fast,
But because of my dementia, my shadow, it is cast,
It’s the shadow cast by others, that takes away my light,
Turns my life to darkness, my pleasure to fright
For when you cast that shadow, and it comes my way,
It drains me of my energy, makes me hide, or run away,
Sometimes I do different things, my mind is not my own,
But do YOU never talk to yourself, when you are alone?
So am I all that different, the likes of you and me,
So my friends come walk a while, the futures ours to see.

There are nearly 50 million people worldwide with Dementia and this figure is set to treble by 2050.

Below is an extract taken from the Alzheimers Society publication with suggestions of 7 things not to say to someone with Dementia and giving some alternatives. Have a look at them and next time you have a conversation with somebody who has a form of Dementia, bear the alternatives in mind.

7 things not to say to somebody with Dementia

1. ‘Remember when…?’
While it can be tempting to try and jog the memory of somebody living with dementia, this kind of question is often a reminder of memories lost. This can be a frustrating or painful experience, and there’s also no evidence that training the brain in this way will help somebody hold on to memories. That’s not to say you should avoid talking about the past, but it’s better to lead the conversation and allow the person to join in.
Try this instead:
Instead of posing a question, try leading with ‘I remember when…’ instead. That way the person can search their memory calmly without feeling embarrassed, then join in if they like.

2. ‘I’ve just told you that’
Having to answer the same question several times can be frustrating, but repetition will happen. There is little benefit to passing on your frustration to somebody with dementia, and saying ‘I’ve just told you that’ only reminds the person of their condition.
Try this instead:
Try to be polite and as patient as possible. It’s important for somebody with dementia to feel they’re being listened to and understood.

3. ‘Your brother died 10 years ago’
A person living with dementia may forget about a past bereavement or ask for somebody who has passed away. But reminding them of a loved one’s death can be painful, even causing them to relive the grief they’ve already experienced. How carers should respond to this may vary for different circumstances, but it’s always good to show sensitivity.
Try this instead:
It may be better to come up with another reason for somebody’s absence, while at other times a gentle reminder is appropriate. In the later stages of dementia, trying to remind them that the person has died is unlikely to work and may be best avoided.

4. ‘What did you do this morning?’
Avoid asking too many open-ended questions, as it could be stressful for a person with dementia if they can’t remember the answer. While it might seem polite to ask somebody about their day, it’s better to focus on what’s happening in the present. It’s also important that people with dementia continue to make personal choices, but defining the options might be a helpful technique.
Try this instead:
Rather than ‘what would you like to drink?’, you could ask ‘do you want tea or coffee?’ or more simply, ‘do you want a cup of tea?’.

5. ‘Do you recognise me?’
It can be distressing when somebody with dementia doesn’t recognise you, but remember that the feeling is mutual. Asking the person if they know who you are can make them feel guilty if they don’t remember, or offended if they do.
Try this instead:
The way you greet somebody with dementia might change depending on the stage of their condition – judge for yourself, but keep it friendly. A warm hello could suffice, or it may help to say your name.

6. ‘Let’s have a cup of tea now, then after that we can go for nice walk and get lunch in that café you like in town.’
Long, complex sentences can be difficult to grasp for somebody with dementia. It’s difficult to process several ideas at once as cognitive abilities slow down, so it’s better to give directions or instructions one step at a time.
Try this instead:
Use short, simple sentences as much as possible. Avoid speaking in loud environments and wait until you have the person’s full attention before you start a conversation.

7. ‘Do you need some help with that, love?’
Words like ‘love’, ‘honey’ and ‘dear’ can be patronising for people living with dementia. This is sometimes referred to as ‘elderspeak’ and can cause older people to feel infantilised.
Try this instead:
Always remember the person behind the dementia, using their name as often as appropriate. This helps keep their dignity intact and aids concentration too.

We at Combined Touch are Dementia Champions and if, after reading this article you would like to know more about becoming a Dementia Friend, contact us either by email, phone or Facebook.

We want South Shields to be a Dementia Friendly Community and with this in mind are happy to come to your place of work to hold a Dementia Friends Training Session or we can hold a Session at our Centre for you and your friends. There is no charge for these Sessions and each session takes approximately one hour.

Below is an extract from the Caterer Magazine (1.4.2017) by editor Janet Harmer. It is based on a mealtime experience – the Butterfly way which is practiced in Butterfly Care Homes and is something which anybody living with or caring for a person with Dementia should find of interest. It is also a method which we at Combined Touch try to emulate.

“Sociability and atmosphere – mealtimes should be a social occasion free from other distractions and not a task.
Staff should eat alongside residents and keep conversations going during mealtimes in order to improve appetites. This can be done by using objects and photos.
Soothing and positive music will add to the enjoyment of eating, as will colourful crockery and tablecloths.
Healthy, nutrient-rich snacks should be provided for people who tend to overeat, while the use of herbs and spices will help stimulate taste, which can diminish for people with dementia.
Enriched food should be provided for those with a poor appetite, by the addition, for instance, of butter, cream, cheese, milk powders, full-fat milk and extra sugar, as well as the use of high-energy supplement drinks.
Finger foods should be provided for people with dexterity issues.
Allow for the mixing of unusual food combinations, such as providing sweet and savoury foods, and promote bright and contrasting food colours.”

This poem was found among the possessions of an elderly lady who died in the geriatric ward of a hospital' No information is available concerning her - who she was or when she died. Reprinted from the "Assessment and Alternatives Help Guide" prepared by the Colorado Foundation for Medical Care

SEE ME

What do you see, nurses, what do you see?
Are you thinking, when you look at me —
A crabby old woman, not very wise,
Uncertain of habit, with far-away eyes,
Who dribbles her food and makes no reply,
When you say in a loud voice — “I do wish you’d try.”

Who seems not to notice the things that you do,
And forever is losing a stocking or shoe,
Who unresisting or not, lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill.
Is that what you’re thinking, is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse, you’re looking at ME…
I’ll tell you who I am, as I sit here so still;
As I rise at your bidding, as I eat at your will.

I’m a small child of ten with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters, who love one another,
A young girl of sixteen with wings on her feet.
Dreaming that soon now a lover she’ll meet;
A bride soon at twenty — my heart gives a leap,
Remembering the vows that I promised to keep;
At twenty-five now I have young of my own,
Who need me to build a secure, happy home;
A woman of thirty, my young now grow fast,
Bound to each other with ties that should last;
At forty, my young sons have grown and are gone,
But my man’s beside me to see I don’t mourn;
At fifty once more babies play ’round my knee,
Again we know children, my loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead,
I look at the future, I shudder with dread,
For my young are all rearing young of their own,
And I think of the years and the love that I’ve known;
I’m an old woman now and nature is cruel —
‘Tis her jest to make old age look like a fool.

The body is crumbled, grace and vigor depart,
There is now a stone where once I had a heart,
But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells,
And now and again my battered heart swells.

I remember the joys, I remember the pain,
And I’m loving and living life over again,
I think of the years, all too few — gone too fast,
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last —
So I open your eyes, nurses, open and see,
Not a crabby old woman, look closer, nurses — see ME!

At Combined Touch we recommend and utilise the following advice and techniques:
As a person's Dementia progresses their ability to communicate changes, explained by Lisa Ost-Beikman and Scott Silknitter, this can be challenging and upsetting both for the sufferer and their carer. Changes such as having difficulty finding the right words, making inappropriate comments or becoming demanding & making unreasonable requests. Becoming verbally abusive, sarcastic and/or easily frustrated. Dont take it personally and instead talk to the person using exact, short, positive phrases and if you have to repeat something, say it in the same way you did the first time. Speak slowly, give one instruction at a time and allow time for the answer. Use a warm gentle tone of voice, words and phrases they are familiar with and dont talk down to them.
Make eye contact, use your hands to point, wave & gesture along with your words and always keep your voice and body language calm.
Never talk about someone in the third person when they are with you, would you like someone to discuss you as though you are not there? I know I wouldnt.
Come to the Centre or contact us through our website, page, email, telephone or in person for more support and advice.

Person Centred Care, followed by Combined Touch and described by the Alzheimers Society as follows:-
This approach aims to see the person with dementia as an individual, rather than focusing on their illness or on abilities they may have lost. Instead of treating the person as a collection of symptoms and behaviours to be controlled, person-centred care considers the whole person, taking into account each individual's unique qualities, abilities, interests, preferences and needs. Person-centred care also means treating residents with dementia with dignity and respect.

When a person with dementia finds that their mental abilities are declining, they often feel vulnerable and in need of reassurance and support. The people closest to them - including their carers, friends and family - need to do everything they can to help the person to retain their sense of identity and feelings of self-worth.

At Combined Touch we also support Carers and have information and links to other agencies and charities to help form a support group for the person with dementia and their carers.

Opening day today had a lovely day meeting new and old friend thanks to all who came especially the wonderful Dolly Mixtures Margaret Dorothy and Hilda for officially opening our/your day centre, thank you all # # #. 🐘