‘A wonderful experience’ – Ro encourages others to participate in retreat for people living with dementia
Becoming a full-time carer for someone with dementia is not an easy task, and for Ro, who cares for her husband Brian, support has been key.
Ro and Brian recently participated in one of Resthaven’s fully-funded retreats for older people living with dementia, funded via the government; the ‘Staying at Home in Regional SA’ program. The couple enjoyed a stay at Cockatoo Valley, where they connected with other carers and people living with dementia.
The retreats are facilitated by Resthaven dementia care specialists and carers receive practical advice and training. The person living with dementia is able to participate in meaningful activities, and carers learn different ways to interact and engage.
‘It’s a whole different ball game,’ Ro says. ‘I had to learn how to be a carer, and it took me a little while to feel comfortable and confident in this role – a role where the skills are very tangible.’
Ro and Brian both worked as high-level professionals, and Ro says they were both very independent people. Ro joined the retreat after seeing it advertised and hearing favourable things from a friend who had taken part in something similar.
‘It seemed like a really lovely thing to do,’ Ro says. ‘I would get support, and Brian would get to do interesting things too. The ability to do something together like this really appealed to me.’
Ro says that on this particular retreat, one of the other carers brought his camera, and Brian took an interest in photography, as he had done in years gone past.
‘I had a chance to see Brian enjoying what had been a great passion that he’d pursued with so much success,’ Ro says.
‘I also found watching Brian enjoying time with the very skilled Resthaven carers very insightful. There were so many times when Brian joined with other people. It was very collaborative and very respectful. I certainly learnt different ways to interact and engage with Brian, which I use all the time now.’
Ro says that as well as feeling supported by staff, the interactions with other carers were invaluable.
‘Right from the start there was an openness amongst us all and we knew that this was a safe place where we could share anything,’ Ro says. ‘We talked about our frustrations and stresses and shared our strategies. It was such a positive experience.’
On top of everything else, Ro says that the food was fabulous and that the whole retreat flowed beautifully.
‘It was an experience that was really very important to both of us,’ Ro says. ‘The staff were wonderful and the interaction and level of skill they displayed was amazing. I enjoyed sharing experiences with the other carers and having the opportunity for further chats with them outside of group time. I continue to revisit the retreat time, gaining strength from the experience.’
Ro is happy and confident now in her role as carer.
‘I’m doing a pretty good job of it now,’ Ro says. ‘I can acknowledge when times are tough, and I know my trigger points and when I need to pull back.’
‘I encourage other carers to take advantage of any support and programs available to them.’
For more information about Resthaven’s retreats for carers and people living with dementia, click here.