Mary Bolger, Alzheimer Society of Ireland - 6th Patient's Rights Day

7/31/2019 Mary Bolger, Alzheimer Society of Ireland - 6th Patient's Rights Day

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New Models of CareThe Social Club Model

Presented by Mary Bolger, Services Manager(Kildare/West Wicklow)

Alzheimer Society of Ireland


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Presentation outline

Examine the origin of the social clubs Outline the study design and procedure Present the literature supporting the

social clubs Present the core elements of what makes

the model unique

Reflect staff and members experience Discuss future developments and

implications for policy and practice


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Social Clubs Origin

Identification of unmet needNo service for both PWD and

spouse/carerCarers socially isolated

The Social ClubMeeting once a week

Outing every second week Informal and loose structure


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Study Design and Procedure

Small scale mixed quantitative andqualitative

Postal survey to members and staff Feedback of themes to one club Interviews with key stakeholders

Analysed for themes


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Supporting Literature

Dementia and effect on caregiver Increased rate of stress/depressionMore socially isolatedRequires continuous adaptation to

change Loss of confidant

Social Support and Caringstress buffering qualitiesMore significant in the elderly


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Supporting Literature

Alzheimer Caf ModelUnderlying vision of living with

dementiaMeeting places for PWD and their

families, carersSocial and educational

Couple Identity and Couplehood


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Couple Identity


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Couple Identity


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Couple Identity and Couplehood

Couple Identitybeing part of a couple as being part of

ones identity (Beeson, 2003)

Losing this identity is a real threat tocarer and to person with dementia

Celebrating personhood may requirethe celebration of couplehood

Doing things together couplereceives recognition; carer receivessupport


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Unique Elements of Social Clubs

Embrace couplehood Informal structure

Worry-free socialising OutingsMembers as opposed to Service-

Users Sense of belonging


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Reflections members of the club

it makes you realise youre not onyour own

as a couple it allows us to meetothers with similar interests

outings with security of knowingsupport and help is at hand


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Reflections facilitators of the club

Forget the formal stuff. People are lonelyand they want to talk to others in the

same boat

The person with dementia..have acontribution to make from a social pointof view.very important for self-esteem

great friendships have been born and weas a group have shared some very happyand emotional days together


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Future Developments

Expansion of social club model toother regions

Without losing uniqueness of eachgroup to function as their membersdesire

Multiple benefits, value for money Investing in staff and resources


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Implications for Practice

Some Questions Should service models continue to separate the

couple?

Which is more beneficial for spouse a breakaway from PWD or a break with them, with noresponsibility for care needs?

By having spouse involved do we share theduty of care?

Are the club and traditional service modelsmutually exclusive or mutually beneficial?


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Implications for Policy

Traditional approach needs to becritically analysed

Policy shift from providing servicesonto to in conjunction with Maintaining couple as central to all

discussions regarding care Re-examine models and further

research into emerging models


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Frankie

Muriel

AdrienneJean

Maurice

Margaret

Jenny

Monday Club, Bray Friday Club, Rathfarnham

Monday Club, Athy

Mary

Patricia

Leslie

Sr Peig

Grainne

Helena

Mary Bolger, Alzheimer Society of Ireland - 6th Patient's Rights Day

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Transcript of Mary Bolger, Alzheimer Society of Ireland - 6th Patient's Rights Day