“Over the past few weeks, I have been chatting with many different people especially friends and friends of friends about dementia and how the contented dementia trust and the SPECAL way have helped us as a family cope with mums dementia and it got me thinking about how Clifton Homecare carers have helped us.

Mum was a wife, mum of three children, primary school teacher and a big supporter to her husband in the role of vicar’s wife so most of her life she cared for people and made decisions.

Now with the rapid onset of dementia the tables have turned and others are having to care for her and make decisions on her behalf which is sometimes very hard to cope with.

Over the time we, as a family, have been receiving outstanding care from Clifton Homecare there have been some moments that stand out amongst the rest:

Jenna for making mum realise it was ok to let others help her with personal care and trying to decipher the spoon banging tune.

Carla for always making her laugh, especially the day mum told her she looked like a chimney sweep because of her hair style!

Jackie for going along with mum’s idea that they were friends because they were the same size.

Lauren for singing hymns with her and also unblocking the toilet, which I am sure was not really in her job description.

Keira for being patient and encouraging mum to colour in the colouring book of psalms showing great respect for her faith. The look of excitement on Abbey’s face the last time I saw her with mum as she had just been on Caroline’s contended dementia presentation and I realised that it really does work.

There are many more little but special things that happen on a daily basis which I don’t get to see but *** tells me about. He was so grateful to Jenna, Carla and Jackie for their reassuring visits when mum was in hospital and was feeling lonely.