Symposium in Dokkum provides recognition, understanding and a listening ear to casual carers: ‘It’s extremely tough to do the fitting factor’

“Are you coming tomorrow?” the mom asks her daughter. “Sure, I’ll come tomorrow,” answered the woman. “Are you able to deliver some bananas?” her mom asks. “I am going to see,” stated the woman, “I am going to see you tomorrow, mom.” “Oh, are you coming tomorrow? Are you bringing bananas?”

In Theater Sense in Dokkum it was Wednesday afternoon and night Listening to assist to observe: a present a couple of woman who, as a casual carer, helps her mom with Alzheimer’s as finest she will, however is all the time left behind. Simply because she is so shut, she is uncovered to many. The emotions that her mom can now not cope with, the planning that she now not has so as.

The scenes replicate acquainted conditions that casual carers encounter of their care of individuals with dementia. For instance, the mom calls her daughter 5 occasions in a row, she rapidly loses her thoughts and is unsure in regards to the time.

There have been 160 guests within the corridor within the afternoon. One other 260 got here within the night, the guests included casual carers, but additionally individuals working in well being care. After the performances, guests had the chance to speak to consultants within the discipline of dementia and casual care.

Breaking taboo

“We need to break the taboo,” says Dennis Mellink, chairman of the Ik ben Wil basis, which began the efficiency. Ik ben Wil is a basis established in Dokkum that attracts consideration to Alzheimer’s and sends organized actions for individuals with the illness.

Mellink: “Alzheimer’s and the casual care of individuals with the illness should not trendy subjects. It may be very tough for casual carers to search out the fitting approach to supply care. Via the efficiency we hope to present them somewhat assist, and present that they aren’t the one ones who should not all the time recognized.”

That is the third time that Ik ben Wil is organizing a convention on despair. Final yr and two years in the past, an occasion was additionally organized within the context of Alzheimer’s and casual care. This time it was the primary time that the main target was on the casual carer, and after the present there was a spot to speak to consultants.

Sisters-in-law Aliie (58) and Betty (72), preferring to not have their surnames revealed within the newspaper, attended the night’s ceremony collectively and talked for some time. Each of them discovered the conditions that had been performed very well-known. Betty’s sister suffers from despair, Aliie’s mom additionally suffered from the illness and died final yr.

“It’s extremely tough to do the fitting factor for somebody with despair,” stated Betty, who visits her sister about twice per week. “The opposite day she teased me. She later known as to apologize. That was additionally mirrored within the efficiency. Folks with dementia now not know easy methods to cope with their feelings.”

It’s good to acknowledge doubt

It’s good to acknowledge the circumstances, she thinks. “You additionally noticed doubts within the woman within the scenes. I usually have doubts about easy methods to deal with conditions. This achievement exhibits that typically it’s regular that you just have no idea. Then perhaps I am not doing it so loopy in any case.”

Between scenes, Mireille Oosterhof, who performed the woman, informed the viewers what occurs within the brains of individuals with dementia. The a part of your mind that responds rapidly and spontaneously will nonetheless perform effectively, however harm will happen to the a part of the mind that, amongst different issues, regulates your skill to plan, arrange and take note of give to others. “It does not make any sense to say that somebody has already known as 5 occasions,” she explains. “After all, it is counterproductive. As a result of they hear what they did mistaken, they usually they hear it so usually.”

‘I am going to see what I could be myself’

After the efficiency, the viewers was requested in the event that they acknowledged themselves in conditions. Many individuals acknowledge themselves within the casual carer, a lady from Buitenpost acknowledges herself within the mom. “I acknowledge myself in oblivion. I can see what I can put on,” she stated from the viewers. “That is very controversial, nevertheless it’s additionally good to see the way it’s handled.”

Marja Meijers (60) is a case supervisor at Netwerk Dementie Fryslân and talks to guests afterwards who really feel they want a chat. Speaking is essential, she explains. “Casual carers cannot all the time inform their story, as a result of they do not need to speak badly about their cherished one. They really feel accountable and have a tendency to choose up every thing, however that does not all the time work out. It’s important that there’s consideration, understanding and help for this.”