What is Amber Dementia Space?
Amber dementia space creates an interactive space for meeting new people. Socialising, having a cup of tea or coffee and engaging in activities. I am a qualified art therapist and music therapist and also provide chair exercise sessions. Sessions will include social engagement, games, art, and activities.
Amber Dementia Space will be delivered in a safe space. The session will be led by Lesley-Anne Lloyd with the support of specially trained volunteers.
Sessions are currently running for 3 hours, the service will launch for a period, and then extend to four hours and beyond. The service has to be launched slowly to enable those who will attend to be relaxed and comfortable and not overwhelmed and stressed.
I am dedicated to the support and empowerment of people living with dementia and their carers and families.
Space to Recharge – Space to Reset
Lesley-Anne Lloyd is highly trained and qualified with expertise in dementia and many other conditions.
Lesley-Anne has created Dementia Space as a safe and supportive environment where people living with dementia can enjoy meaningful time and activities as well as enjoy friendships and chatter.
Dementia Space also supports carers who can join in with the group or leave their loved one knowing they are safe and supported.
Every week there are different activities to enjoy and there is always a cuppa to hand.
Dementia Space is also about making you feel valued as people with dementia and supporting carers who can often feel isolated by those who do not understand.
New groups coming soon ….
Dementia Space Respite Service
Are you caring for a loved one with dementia?
Caring for a loved one with dementia can be incredibly challenging. It isn’t easy, however much you love that person. Whilst most people care for a spouse, family member or partner with dementia from a place of love and dedication, it can also be physically and emotionally demanding. In fact, completely exhausting both mentally and physically.
Your life can be challenged further if you have other responsibilities such as work, family, or other responsibilities that need your time and attention. You may be retired but still have responsibilities and needing to be with your loved one 24/7 – 365 can be a very stressful impact on your life.
This is where Amber Support Dementia Space respite care comes in…
My service is here to give carers a short moment of rest and respite and allow them to recharge, this enables them to be more effective in their care role, while also allowing their loved ones to be empowered, energised and have meaningful moments during the Dementia Space activities.
All carers experience burnout, exhaustion, stress and a feeling of being completely overwhelmed. This is why respite care is so important. You are not giving up or giving in, you are not failing in your love or your commitment, you are just saying that you need to experience a little time and space for yourself.
What Is Respite Care?
Respite care might sound confusing or unfamiliar? What is it, what does it do? What can it do for me? Why do I need it?
Respite care just means some short-term care which is directed towards carers of people living with dementia. There are many different services and many different ways of delivering respite care but usually it means looking after the person living with dementia, so their primary carer can experience some time and space for themselves.
Who Is Respite Care For?
Respite care is aimed at both the carer and the person living with dementia. For one it is engagement, activities, enhancement of abilities and socialisation. For the other it is rest, respite, time to relax for a moment and for them to focus on themselves for a moment.
Carers
The main carer who is supporting a family member who is living with dementia is usually a spouse, partner, child or relative. Their responsibilities whist coming from a place of love and respect, it is also incredibly stressful, debilitating, upsetting and exhausting.
Care Recipients
People living with dementia require different support and different interactions depending on the type of dementia they have, the characteristics, their responses, medication, environment and their overall support system. People require care for different reasons within the dementia spectrum.
Respite care is a vital resource for millions of carers around the UK as it gives them a moment to recharge, reset, focus on themselves for some time, knowing their loved one is safe, engaged, looked after and receiving professional care and attention. Respite care is beneficial to both carers and their loved ones alike:
Caregivers
Dementia requires carers to spend a significant amount of time with their spouse, partner, parent or other loved one and the demands of caring can be challenging, exhausting, unpredictable, debilitating and incredibly stressful. You still need to live life, do the shopping, cooking, household chores and everyday duties whilst you have this responsibility on your shoulders.
Some common reasons carers seek to organise respite care are as follows:
- Breaks to attend appointments
- Regular respite to allow cover to work
- Arranging help while running errands, shopping, cooking etc
- Time and space to meet family and friends for a moment to catch up
If these needs are ignored for too long, a caregiver might experience fatigue, stress and sometimes even burnout so seeking support when it’s needed is an essential part of being an effective carer, being able to take a break, however short, means you can rest and recharge, restoring lost energy and the ability to care.
Due to the nature of the caring role you are in, it’s important for carers to arrange time off. That may be through a day out or simply spending time off at home. Although carers may feel guilty for taking a break, it’s essential that they invest in their own health and wellbeing and invest in their ability to care.
The person living with dementia
Besides the benefits for caregivers, respite care also provides an important service for those receiving care. Amber Dementia Support Space means that individuals can experience a range of important activities, engagement and support which will empower them. Amber dementia space will provide a variety of stimulation. Stimulation and increased socialisation and brain activitiy encourages better sleep, reduces anxiety, reduces stress reactions and also promotes empowerment for the individual.
