PAGE 18 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 99
Huntington’s Disease and Care
By Cathy Lyons, Trustee for the Huntington's Disease Association (www.hda.org.uk)
Making the decision to place someone you love into a care home is not an easy one to make. The decision has followed months, if not years, of stress and anxiety as we watch the individual struggle on independently whilst their abilities, quality of life and self-worth diminish. This is the same for anyone, facing any life-limiting condition, at any age. Huntington’s disease is an illness caused by a faulty gene in our DNA (the biological ‘instructions’ we inherit which tell our cells what to do) and it affects the body’s nervous system. It causes changes with movement, learning, thinking and emotions. This is an inherited condition, which means that the person with Huntington’s disease and their family are very likely to have known someone else with the condition and will already know how their future might look. Huntington’s disease is rare, and many families will have encountered a lack of knowledge and understanding from their first points of contacts and help, such as their GPs, district nurses, social workers, and community carers. This inevitably leads to frustration and a general lack of trust towards those who should be relied upon; ultimately, families learn to rely on themselves. Huntington’s disease usually begins to manifest in the mid-30s and those with Huntington’s disease are likely to be much younger than the average care home resident. Because of their family history, and because of their general fear and mistrust in the health system, the individual will often have expressed a wish not to go into care. As the disease progresses, the complex symptoms become challenging; they may become unsafe physically, as well as in their thinking. Obsessions, compulsions and frustrations emerge, which lead to families developing many complicated routines and strategies so that their home life and loved one remain calm
and without incident. An integral part of the condition is that people with Huntington’s disease don’t like change. Faced with their family’s prior experiences (and often many horror stories), a fear for the future, a lack of trust towards the health services, and the age of their loved one and their complex needs, families become compressed by the stress, fear and guilt and so making the decision to place the person they love into a care home can be inconceivable. When families finally do reach out, when life at home has become unsafe or intolerable, it is a great relief for them to find care homes that state that they have specialist knowledge in Huntington’s disease. To the families this means that the home has a team of staff who have received training in the disease, that they understand the complex presentation, that they have access to a team that includes Speech and Language Therapists to advise on communication and the risks associated with deteriorating swallow, a Physiotherapist to advise on movement and safety, an Occupational Therapist to suggest appropriate equipment, a clear method of assessing risk and behaviours that escalate, links to a neurological specialist so that their conditions can be regularly reviewed and a comprehensive end of life policy and procedure. At the Huntington’s Disease Association (HDA), we can offer training and support to any home that offers care to someone with this condition. Our Specialist Huntington’s disease advisory service can provide training for staff and we provide a three-day certificated course for professionals, which can help to develop a deeper understanding. If you are already investing significant time, resources and commitment in providing specialist care for people with Huntington’s disease then you would be able to join our HDA Quality Assured programme and receive accreditation for your home and staff team. We hope that this can give people with Huntington’s disease and their families some reassurance in facing some of the challenges they face. If you would like to find out more about the HDA Quality Assured Scheme and how to support people with Huntington’s visit Website www.hda.org.uk/professionals Phone 0151 331 5444 Email info@hda.org.uk
Creepy Crawlies And Creatures Visit Gateshead Care Home Residents Gateshead’s Craigielea Care Home had some unusual guests when Discovery Zoo brought some of its creepy crawlies and creatures to visit residents. The home played host to a range of animals and insects including rabbits, snakes and lizards as part of the home’s ever evolving activities programme. Residents learned all about the creatures before having a chance to hold the mixed menagerie. Guided interaction between animals and people has been proven to cause an automatic relaxation response, relieve symptoms of dementia and prevent feelings of isolation and loneliness. Lindsay Turner, activities coordinator at Craigielea, said: “Our residents have really enjoyed their unusual visitors, especially the snake, tarantula and millipede. They’re not something you usually see up in Gateshead and for some of our residents it was the first time seeing them in real life.
“Discovery Zoo did a great job introducing the creatures to residents and explaining how to hold them. Animal visits are always such a lift for our residents and it’s great to see them so excited. “Stroking and holding the animals always puts a smile on our residents faces. It sparks their memories and I hear all about their previous pets or trips to the zoo with their families. “We’re always looking for activities to entertain our residents and really look forward to being able to do more now that restrictions are relaxed.” Paul Fenwick from Discovery Zoo said: “We love visiting care homes and seeing how much joy it brings to residents. We have some unusual animals that get people really interested, as well as things like rabbits and gerbils that people may have had as pets themselves. They are great for reviving memories, although just sitting and stroking an animal can be very relaxing too.”
Champion’s Award for Wishaw Care Home’s Squad of Football Lovers Residents at Beechwood Care Home in Wishaw, Lanarkshire are celebrating victory, after Fit-Baw instructors, Paul Mooney and Seamus Duggan, awarded them the Fit-Baw 90 accolade for their hard work throughout a 12-week fitness programme. Residents practice Fit-Baw, a gentler form of football, as part of the home’s activities programme, designed to keep them healthy and happy as they socialise and exercise together. Working with their instructors, the Fit-Baw 90 programme saw them set targets to improve their strength, balance, and coordination together. Activities Coordinator, Helen Miller teamed up with Paul and Seamus to run weekly sessions, where residents took part in arm and leg exercises using a football. Fit-Baw 90 ended with squad captain, Harry Gilmour, accepting the trophy on behalf of his team, as staff members and residents alike applauded their shared victory.
Helen Miller, Activities Coordinator at Beechwood Care Home said: “We work hard to plan new and fun activities for our residents because there’s nothing better than watching them enjoy a bit of banter and gentle exercise. We’ve plenty of laughter to go around while enjoying the beautiful game.” Paul Mooney and Seamus Duggan, Fit-Baw instructors said: “The squad was always prepared and ready to work hard to achieve their goals. We were delighted to award them the Fit-Baw 90 trophy, a well-deserved win as the first ever care home to join our Hall of Fame and for all the progress they’ve made! We look forward to setting and beating new targets with them.”
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