Message from a Carer As a carer you are too busy to eat properly Message to you from someone with aphasia Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust Send us your helpful 'hints and tips'.
Message from a Carer. Advice on finding support for a relative after his/her return home from hospital following a stroke or brain injury.     inspire-us.info can help you do some of the searching. Accept every bit of help and support and suggestion that comes your way. You know what you need - someone, somewhere must offer it. Get people on your side - they will help you research Be like a bloodhound - follow up every clue. Don't be put off by anyone. Contact every organisation, institution, person you can think of and follow up every contact they give you. Crying is allowed so is begging tearfully! There are some wonderful people out there, who you will never know or see face-to-face, who will help you. Share your findings with everyone else. top........
As a carer, are you too busy to eat properly  One in eight of us are ‘carers’, which means we look after a relative, partner or friend with a disability or chronic illness.  Indeed, one in 20 adults spend at least 20 hours a week on their caring.  No wonder the often don’t find the time to eat properly.  So if you’re a carer, here are some useful tips :   Don’t skip breakfast. It will keep your energy levels up Eat healthy snacks, such as raisins and dried apricots Add vegetables to soup, sauces and meals themselves Cook twice as much as you need and freeze the other half for another time Use tinned/frozen fruit and vegetables – they are just as healthy and save time Try to plan meals ahead.  That way, you’re more likely to eat healthily Explore the options of ‘meals direct’ for the person you are caring for   DON’T FORGET – you need to care for yourself to remain a good carer. For more information and advice, contact Wendy Westley on 0121-765 5194 (Extract from Health News Eastern Birmingham Primary Care Trust – issue 5, July 2004.) Web site : http://www.ebpct.nhs.uk)   top........
Message from Noel about Aphasia To the families and carers, who having found themselves in a position with an aphasic relative, it's up to you, to bring a little peace and sanity back to them. Be strong. Stronger, than you're ever been before in your life. ü       Talk to the person with aphasia as an adult and not as a child. Avoid talking down to the person. ü       During conversation, minimize or eliminate background noise (i.e., television, radio, other people) whenever possible. ü       Make sure you have the person's attention before communicating. ü       Praise all attempts to speak; make speaking a pleasant experience and provide stimulating conversation. ü       Encourage and use all modes of communication (speech, writing, drawing, yes/no responses, choices, gestures, eye contact, facial expressions). ü       Give them time to talk and permit a reasonable amount of time to respond. ü       Accept all communication attempts (speech, gesture, writing, drawing) rather than demanding speech. ü       Downplay errors and avoid frequent criticisms/corrections. Avoid insisting that each word be produced perfectly. ü       Keep your own communication simple, but adult. Simplify sentence structure and reduce your own rate of speech. Keep your voice at a normal volume level and emphasize key words. ü       Augment speech with gesture and visual aids whenever possible. Repeat a statement when necessary. ü       Encourage people with aphasia to be as independent as possible. Avoid being overprotective or speaking for the person except when absolutely necessary. Ask permission to do so. ü       Whenever possible continue normal home activities (i.e., dinner with family, company, going out). Do not shield people with aphasia from family or friends or ignore them in a group conversation.  Rather, try to involve them in family decision-making as much as possible keeping them informed of events but not burdening them with day-to-day details.       God bless you all.  Noel.  top........
Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust (BIRT) The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust (BIRT) is concerned with helping people with brain injury to become more independent and improve their quality of life.  The BIRT programme offers a full range of care and rehabilitation services including: assessment, including medico-legal intensive rehabilitation long-term rehabilitation and community services. BIRT can be found in a number of different places, including West Heath House, Birmingham.  For further information please contact: The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust, 32 Market Place, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 9NP É 01444 239123 Email: birt@disabilities-trust.org.uk http://www.birt.co.uk or contact the Birmingham branch: Harminder Kalsi, Unit General Manager, West Heath House, 54 Ivyhouse Road, West Heath, Birmingham B38 8JW É 0121 459 0909   http://www.birt.co.uk/westheathhouse/index.html Top........
Now........  many of you are reading this because of your personal experiences have led you here.  We would welcome helpful advice and hints and tips for coping.  Please send us yours for the benefit of others.  Email these to catherine.sharp@bournville.ac.uk top........

Copyright © 2004 Inspire Partnership