Watford carer and client news!

Over the lockdown period our team have been out and about delivering distraction packs for our clients and their carers. The teams have been overwhelmed with the amount of praise from our clients.

With help from lead partner, Age UK Hertfordshire, Hertswise have been ensuring that their clients and carers have not been left behind during lockdown 3. Inside the packs included activity magazines, pencils and pencils, a pack of cards and a card game booklet, selection of PPE facemasks and sweet treats.

With our Hertswise dementia hubs closed and face-to-face meetings limited, Bill and Mary were stuck with options on how to meet their friends.

When asked whether they were confident online, Mary laughed and said: “I’m not up on all this technology stuff.”

As meeting other people physically was most likely not an option, the Hertswise Team lent Bill and Mary a tablet, donated from Age UK Hertfordshire.

The team help them set up the tablet and downloaded apps such as Colouring by Numbers, Emails and Zoom. Getting the hang of it all was a bit tricky at first for them both, but with help from Hertswise they we soon able to join their local dementia hub virtually via Zoom.

Mary said: “It was really good being able to see other people’s faces, and Bill enjoyed having chats with another chap, which made a nice change.”

“It’s been great all round support, finding things out for me and regular calls to see if we are doing okay. It’s been great!”

Since her diagnosis of dementia, Heather & her husband Mick, have been attending their local Hertswise dementia hub in Bishops Stortford.

They both thoroughly enjoyed their time at the club, especially Heather as it gave her a chance to read which she loved.

Unfortunately the club had to close in March 2020 due to COVID-19, which lead to a decline of Heathers reading abilities. During a call with Mick, the Hertswise team suggested that they could source Heather a tablet, where an e-reader and talking libraries app could be downloaded.

The team helped Mick to set up the tablet in his name so that he could access that easily.

Mick said: “This has been brilliant! Not only for me but for Heather too – she can now listen to her books.”

“I can’t single one thing out. It’s been great all round support, finding things out for me and regular calls to see if we are doing okay. It’s been great!”