Alzheimer’s disease Polytech course for carers

Press, 25 August 1986, Page 16

Alzheimer’s disease Polytech course for carers

Carers of the elderly or disabled tend to be a much neglected group. Because they are often

with their charges 24 hours a day, they don’t have the time — or energy — to organise meetings, set up support groups or shout their cause to the public.

Yet the demands — both physical and emotional — can be enormous. Stroke victims and those crippled with arthritis need a lot of careful handling in toileting, dressing and feeding. Sometimes it means getting up to them every night — and every mother of a wakeful child knows how exhausting that becomes. Then there is the emotional strain, especially with an elderly person with Alzheimer’s Disease who needs supervision every moment of the day and night.

Social life is often nonexistent, with friendships limited to occasional chats on the phone. In many ways, the stresses are like those of bringing up small children — but with a fundamental difference.

“With children you know they are going to grow up and become more independent. You’ve that to look forward to. With a sick person, there’s only gradual decline. For full-time carers, especially, the future often doesn’t look very bright,” says Anne-Marie Dixon, former social worker for the elderly and executive member of A.D.A.R.D.S. (Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Society).

Anne-Marie is the coordinator of a new Polytech course for “Women as Carers” which begins on September 12.

The six-week course, held every Friday from 9.30 a.m. until noon, is for all women caring for mentally or physically dependent spouses, parents, in-laws, other relatives or friends on a full-time or part-time basis.

“These women need to learn to take care of themselves. They so often get to the point of exhaustion, yet even then its difficult for them to let go and have someone come in to give them a break,

or put the person in hospital for a while,” she says. “The Government gives a subsidy for one month’s break a year •— but many women don’t take it, even though they need three times that. They feel guilty not being there 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. “What they must realise is that by taking a break, the quality of their caring will be better.” Anne-Marie doesn’t know how many women in Christchurch are carers, but she guesses “an awful lot. Within one’s own network, most women know three or four who are caring for someone on a full-time basis,” she says. “Women as Carers” will teach women how to recognise their limitations, use resources and cope better with stress. The emphasis will be on informal talks, rather than lectures and lots of discussion and sharing.

Cost for the course is $l3, plus GST For more details telephone Christchurch Polytech at 798150, ext. 8091.

An experienced, caring sitter can be arranged to free women to attend the course. Please contact Anne-Marie for details at 524-034.

Tecorians For only the second time in 14 years, New Zealand Tecorians has a South Island-weighted executive.

Anne-Marie Dixon of Christchurch has been elected national president, Gwen Capill of South Canterbury Tecorians is national secretary and Frances Manson of Wanaka vice-president. “We’re all really excited about it. It’s a real boost for the South Island,” says Anne-Marie Dixon, who has been a Tecorian for four years. Tecorians is a national network of clubs aimed at building confidence, interests and friendships. Members range from high-powered professional and business people to house-bound mothers needing mental stimulation.

More and more women are joining Tecorians because they want to develop their speaking skills

and confidence, says Anne-Marie. Her club has grown from 12 to 20 within a year. Rural clubs aren’t showing the same trend though —- which reflects the growing numbers of rural women returning to the work force, she adds.

“Coping with a job and their family takes all their energy. There just isn’t the time to go to Tecorians too." Tecorians will hold their national conference in Christchurch September. For more information on Tecorians telephone Anne-Marie at 524034 (evenings). S.P.E.L.D. A private member’s bill aiming to include specific learning disabilities in special education is to be presented to the Select Committee for Education and Science later this year by Mrs Katherine O’Regan, Member of Parliament for Waipa. S.P.E.L.D., a national organisation which helps adults and children with learning disabilities, particularly in reading and spelling, would like to remind members and parents to make submissions.

Although proven very effective, S.P.E.L.D. has no official recognition in schools (teaching is done in the homes of specially trained tutors) and receives no Government funding. Mrs O’Regan herself hopes that all teachers in schools, S.P.E.L.D. teachers, parents, children and adults will take the opportunity to write to the committee — without worrying about spelling or grammar, but to write it “like it is for them.” Submissions close on September 12. For further information on S.P.E.L.D. telephone 34-039 or 585531. Zonta

A new scholarship, valued at $5OO, has been funded by the Zonta Club of the South West Christchurch Area for a female Lincoln College student. The award will be given to a student at any of the four secondary schools in the club’s area — Ellesmere College, Cashmere, Hillmorton or Lincoln High —- who plans to enrol at Lincoln the following year. The aim is to encourage young women to undertake tertiary study and

perhaps enter careers where women are underrepresented. Criteria are academic merit, contributions to school and community, suitability for the course of study chosen, and financial circumstances.

Applications should be lodged by October 18 with the President of the Zonta Club of South West Christchurch Area, P.O. Box 1859, Christchurch. Application forms and details of the award are available from the principals of the above schools.

Children's films Two popular children’s films are being offered by the Fernland Family Cinema these school holidays. “Heidi’s Song,” an animated cartoon of the Johanna Spyri novel, will screen this week at both 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., from today through to Friday. “The Great Muppet Caper,” a fast-moving musical melodrama featuring Miss Piggy, Kermit, Fozzi Bear and the rest of the gang, will be shown next week at the same times. Tickets for children and senior citizens are $1.75, and $3.50 for adults. The Fernland Family Cinema is on the second floor above Atlantis Market in Cathedral Square. The cinema also has a children’s film club which shows films on the first Saturday of each month. For details telephone 793668. Catalyst Catalyst’s next meeting is tomorrow, August 26, at the Architect’s Room in the Arts Centre. The speaker will be Geoff Lorlgan, general manager of Canterbury Dairy Farmers, who will speak on marketing. Visitors are welcome. Meet at 7 p.m. for coffee for a 7.30 p.m. start. For details telephone Sharon Glass at 554-258. Correction

In “Making It Happen,” July 28, we mistakenly reported that Judy Elvidge is president of Christchurch Parents’ Centre. Judy is president of the Christchurch Colic Support Group. Lucille Ogston is president of Parents’ Centre.

Compiled by Glenys Walker. Items for this column should be sent to Glenys Walker, Making It Happen, Home and People Page, The Press, P.O. Box 1005, Christchurch. Please submit one week before publication date.

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