Bags of Support for People with Dementia and Their Carers
BCHC Charity was able to create 26 pairs of wellbeing bags for people living with dementia and the people who care for them in Edgbaston, thanks to a grant from Edgbaston Neighbourhood Network Scheme (NNS).
The idea for the bags came from Edgbaston NNS, where the need for more support for people with dementia and their carers was identified. Living with, or caring for someone with, dementia can be extremely challenging, and often the carer’s needs are overlooked as they navigate their way through the caring journey. This project aimed to improve the wellbeing of those with dementia and their carers by creating tailored wellbeing bags to make their lives easier, reduce anxiety, and promote self-care.
The Charity Team sat down with local carer groups to listen to their suggestions about the sorts of things they would find helpful to be in the bags, and the final items were carefully selected to be both practical and comforting, to help people feel more confident in going out and remaining engaged with social activity, both with each other and the wider community.
The bag for those with dementia included a ‘no spill’ cup to enjoy hot or cold drinks, a fleecy blanket to keep warm and cosy, a colouring book and pens for fun and relaxation, a photo album with space to write captions to encourage reminiscence, a sensory toy to soothe anxieties and occupy hands, and a lanyard which indicates to others that support may be needed while out and about.
The carer’s wellbeing bag included the blanket and colouring book and pens, as well a travel cup to bring hot drinks to appointments or on walks, a word search book to complete on their own or together, a radar key to access disabled toilets in public, and hand cream and lip balm for little moments of self-care. This bag also contained a booklet containing useful information and contacts, such as dementia helplines and support groups, a website for local carers support, NHS services available, and more.
An event was held in March by Edgbaston NNS, which provided people with the opportunity to see what support is available, learn about dementia friendly activities and try them out together, connect with others in similar circumstances, and enjoy a lovely lunch, and this is where the first 16 pairs of bags were given out. It was a heart-warming moment for the Charity Team to meet one of the ladies who contributed her ideas at the carers’ group again and to gift her the bags. She was delighted to see that her suggestions had been listened to, and that she was able to take a bag each for her and her husband. One man reported that he thought the event was “very uplifting, engaging, and mentally stimulating”, that his mom enjoyed the books and the pens, and how much he appreciated the thought behind the bags.
The Charity Team have been so pleased with the reaction to and feedback from the bags. One lady said; “I have used most of the items. I enjoy doing puzzles and find this relaxing. The travel cup was very handy to fill up during the day and on way home. Hand cream was very useful with constant washing of hands… The information in the pack was useful and easy to understand. Generally, the pack has taken into consideration of the carer’s role and included items for comfort, relaxation and ease in the role.”
Another lady spoke at length about the difficulties of finding disabled toilets and how helpful the radar key has been, whilst another reported that she was “very pleased with the flask to keep drinks hot”, but the standout item for her was the blanket which is “now a permanent fixture on my settee”.
As a charity, we want to continue enhancing the care for patients with dementia and the people who care for them, and as such we welcome any new ideas from staff, patients, and their carers. We also welcome individuals or companies that want to support dementia specific projects; please contact the Charity Team at bchc.charity@nhs.net