A wife whose husband has dementia has praised a team of Marie Curie nurses and volunteers for the care and support they offer to the family during Dementia Action Week.
Avril Nicholson and husband Viv, from Pontardawe, have been receiving support from the UK’s leading end of life charity since last year – initially from Companion volunteer Maebh, and now from the charity’s palliative care nurses. The team supporting the family is the Marie Curie West Glamorgan Dementia Respite service – which recently received a highly commended award for the Dementia Respite Service and Companion volunteer service at the Together WeCare Awards.
While the Dementia Respite service sees Marie Curie nurses and healthcare assistants supporting people with clinical and personal care needs, Companion volunteers on the service support people who have a diagnosis of dementia, providing emotional and practical support and being a reassuring presence. Volunteers are asked to provide support for approximately three hours per week, being with people at home or taking them out and about.
Eighty-four-year-old Avril said the whole service has made a huge difference to her and Viv, and their daughter Kate.
"Viv has had dementia for about six or seven years, I think," she said. "It wasn't too bad at the beginning, and then this Christmas, he had a bug and he got dehydrated and he was in the hospital – we nearly lost him. But we’ve had this young girl called Maebh, she’s 22, coming to support us as a volunteer – she’s absolutely wonderful. Until Christmas she would take him out for two or three hours at a time, and when he was ill, she thought Marie Curie could help when he came home. That’s how we got the additional support."
Now, Marie Curie nurses also visit Viv at home, providing respite support to Avril – supporting him with personal care and sitting and talking to him. "The frequency varies, but sometimes it’s one a week and sometimes it’s twice. They ring up beforehand to ask do we need support," she commented.
"Sometimes Kate, my daughter, and I, we go shopping, leaving here with whoever's with him – everyone who has come has been excellent, they keep him company and he talks a lot to them - it gives him some stimulation."
Avril says it can be tiring providing care, but that the teams have 'saved my sanity', adding that Maebh continues to volunteer, sometimes taking both Avril and Viv out together.
"I know it sounds ridiculous, just a couple of hours, but it really does make a difference," she continued. "I want to spread the word about this service, because I don’t think many people are aware."
Marie Curie supports people with any illness they are likely to die from including Alzheimer’s (and other forms of dementia), heart, liver, kidney and lung disease, motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s, and advanced cancer. The charity provides expert care and support in people’s homes, in its hospices and over the phone via its free Information & Support helpline which is there for anyone who is affected by dying, death and bereavement.
Lesley Baldrain, Marie Curie senior nurse, said: "Hearing the difference our teams make to people like Avril and Viv is always heart-warming. We know many people struggle without any support through a palliative and end of life care system that is under immense pressure, so knowing we are making a difference is so worthwhile. Our award was a whole team achievement – working together as volunteers, office staff, managers, nurses and healthcare assistants helps us run a smooth service and support each other in all we do."
Chloe Abraham, Marie Curie companion volunteer coordinator for Swansea Bay, added: "Our dementia services are so vital to supporting people at end of life. I describe them as like a cup of tea and a biscuit – they are both great on their own, but together our respite service and Companion service are just so much better. We’d be delighted to talk to anyone who is able to give some of their time to support people in their community – give us a call if you think it’s something you’d like to do."
Dementia Action Week runs from May 18 to 25. If you’d like to volunteer for the Companions service, visit mariecurie.org.uk/getinvolved Location: Pontardawe
