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Expert Carers Course
- By CHERYL THE PERIL
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Tue 27 Nov 2007 20:22
Hi All
Not sure if I'm posting this in the right section.
These are my own impression of the course that I've been on over the past few weeks. Sorry it's a bit of a long read.
Wednesday 20th November 07
Anyone else been on one of these yet?
I started one 4 weeks ago, went to the first one, missed the next two, and went to the fourth one yesterday.
It's really the same as the Expert Patient course, with a bit of tweaking to make it suitable for Carers?
I don't know if it's of much use to the other Carers, I suspect not a great deal. I also suspect that because the two ladies/tutors who are running the course are so nice that none of us, if asked, would hurt their feelings by saying it's as useful as a chocolate teapot.There is some slight point in going because of being able to meet other Carers etc. And as I've discovered it's not just us on-line Carers who
feel fed up, let down and thoroughly disillussioned with the Social Care system, and the amount of Carers Allowance, and the pensioners who's CA stopped when they got their pension are well cheesed off.
Listening to them yesterday, I heard exactly the same complaints and view points as I've read on the Carer forums.If we, the on-line Carers could reach the off-line Carers, if only we could get together, we really would be a force to be reckoned with.
Yesterday I could feel the heart ache, disappointment and most definately the anger of the other Carers in the room.
It really all came about because one Carer said she was very annoyed over something or other, then another mentioned something else, I added my bit and so it went on for about 20 mins or so. I had the impression that the two ladies running the course were actually becoming a bit unnerved by us expressing how we felt, although non of it was directed at them, they were certainly looking uncomfortable. It was kind of funny when they tried putting a more positive spin on what is done to help Carers etc, phew that didn't go down to well.
Any way they managed to avert the brewing riot, and got us back on track, with out any bloodshed. But I think oneday, oneday if things don't improve Carers will erupt. I don't know when or how, but judging by the atmosphere yesterday not to far off in the future.
__________________________________Tuesday 27th November 07
This Expert Carers Course I've been attending? Odd, because I've just read that the Expert Carers courses which the Government are funding aren't due to start until August 2008.
I can't say anything about the individual circumstances of the Carers I've met and listened to, at the start of the course we all agreed that whatever was said stayed in the room. So I can only give an overview, and my own impression.
Anyway I've been again today,and I have to say that it was even worse this week. Today there were 5 of us, plus the two tutors. Today the subjects covered were the benefits of Healthy Eating, Depression, and Positive Affirmations/Thoughts. It all went ok until we got to the Positive Thoughts/Affirmations bit.
Then it all pretty much fell apart. We were all shaking our heads at the positive affirmations, they just seemed (considering our circumstances)
so ridiculous.Still the tutors struggled on with this concept, but their efforts were rather hampered by the totally negative responses from us Carers. One person burst into tears, 2 others were looking very tearfull, one admited thoughts of suicide, and one of the tutors also started crying as she recalled her difficulties when she was a Carer.
Everyone complains of the same things, lack of information, great difficulty in obtaining help and services, shortage of money, not being listened to (by various people like doctors, health care professionals, family, friends etc) every one says they feel very alone, isolated, overwhelmed by the sheer amount work or responsability, or both. Worried about today, and the future, afraid of the future, afraid of themselves becoming ill, worried about what will happen to their caree if they (the Carer is ill) resentment about a variety of things, guilt.
One thing that has made a really deep impression on me is that any of the Carers that I've been seeing, listening to and talking to over the last couple of weeks, anyone of them could be the other side of a PC screen.
.
Replies
- By kerry
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Re: Expert Carers Course
Tue 27 Nov 2007 21:12so what they are saying then is that when your son has pood himself for the 3rd time, called you a f*king B*ch for the 125th time in ten minutes, killed the fish, tortured the cats, and run around the garden naked flashing at the neighbours and pulling his ding dong in front of them (cos he thinks its funny) that if we say to ourselves "Hey life is a wonderful experience and Im simply fabulous" that we will automatically feel refreshed and revitalised ready to face the next pair of pissy pants and dead fish?
Ok wonderful, i wish i'd thought of that concept myself- would've saved a few nervous breakdowns
- By kerry
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Re: Expert Carers Course
Tue 27 Nov 2007 21:14Did anyone pick up the very slight and hardly noticeable hint of sarcasm there???????????????
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By Greebo
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Re: Expert Carers Course
Tue 27 Nov 2007 21:48It's a comfort that it's not just us lot grouching online then.
I'm just wondering how any carer in need of that course could be expected to get there for every session.
Cheryl, well done for going at least twice and thanks for the information. Definitely confirmed my belief that (even if locally available) that course wouldn't teach me anything I haven't already learnt from books and the net.
- By kerry
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Re: Expert Carers Course
Tue 27 Nov 2007 21:54haha greebo- yes ive become an expert in grouching over the last 10 years or so!!!!
- By CHERYL THE PERIL
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Re: Expert Carers Course
Tue 27 Nov 2007 23:40Hi
Greebo:
The course started with 16 Carers, I think there's about 8 left, some couldn't continue because of problems with caree, some just opted out????Kerry: Lol
As well as the positive affirmations, don't forget to eat a balanced diet, 5 portions of fresh fruit and veg a day, cut back on salt, and drink 6-8 glasses of water per day. A good nights rest is also recommended.
And just take life, one day at a time!
One day at a time!!!
Umm, I didn't know that there was another way to take life? have some of you's been cheating and grabbing two or three days at a time???
.
- By CHERYL THE PERIL
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Re: Expert Carers Course
Tue 27 Nov 2007 23:47Hi Again
Last week next week, and we are looking at dealing with Health Care Professionals I predict , that will be one hot spud.
.
- By morello
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Re: Expert Carers Course
Wed 28 Nov 2007 09:38Well I dont know about courses for carers but the people running will sure learn a lot. When I first heard about it, my thought was too little , too late and we are all learning on the job, running rings around the professionals. Couldnt they find something better to waste their money on,such as extra money so we could eat healthily, whatever that is. Obviously they have no problems with the price of fruit or veg. Such as when do we have time to actually eat them or cook them and eat them, without being disturbed, and then forgetting what we were doing. Another big joke on us I fear. I doubt most of us couldnt afford more than one meal a day and pay bills. We could leap around all day, supposing we werent disabled ourselves and that we actually had any sleep the night before to exercise without actually fainting. Can drink the water at the moment , but if a meter goes in then thats rationed too. Oh you must be having a laugh at least Cheryl what else can you do----cry no we mustnt do that must we, one day at a time remember everyone.
Mo
- By kerry
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Re: Expert Carers Course
Wed 28 Nov 2007 09:44well, one day at a time- in this madhouse one minute at a time is an acheivement! still I siuppose we can aim for one hour then two hours etc and progress to a day.
Thank goodness we have these fab people telling us how to do it. Dunno what we would do without their indispensible input. Good luck Cheryl with the health profs. you'll damn sure need it lol
PS by the way: what is 'sleep' then? does it come between 'I wish' and 'dont get any in the dictionary?????'
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By Greebo
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Re: Expert Carers Course
Wed 28 Nov 2007 11:56<Mystic Meg mode on> the high dropout rate tells me that carers have found attending the course to be more trouble than it's worth - unsurprising if it teaches them nothing they can't learn elsewhere. <Mystic Meg mode off>
It sounds to me (from the bit where one of the trainers burst into tears at her own memories) as if the people running the sessions haven't been properly counselled, trained, or supported. IMHO nobody should be running an expert carers course while still working through his/her own experiences.
Not entirely sure how this would work, but it might be better if the course sessions were run by people who are still carers - but that wouldn't work because they'd have to be getting the respite/sitting service that hardly any of us can get on our own terms. Catch 22
This is not to say ex-carers are irrelevant and have nothing to offer, but after a couple of years it's easy to lose touch with the current reality of being a carer - particularly when social services & benefits keep changeing.
So where do we go from here? Carers centres have their place, but not everyone can get to them. What about fully funded computers plus internet access (doesn't have to be broadband) provided at home for all carers, and anyone with a longterm illness or disability? Okay, the initial outlay might be a bit steep, but balance that against the amount of moral support and advice (and preventive mental healthcare) which can be given even during the small hours and banks holidays. I'm sure it'd be cost effective.
- By KenM
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Re: Expert Carers Course
Wed 28 Nov 2007 14:22Doesn't anyone realise yet??-We can't say what we want or need- the government-PRTC and CUK and all the so called experts TELL US what we need. They get paid a fortune for doing it too.
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