Dementia board

https://megaphone.upworthy.com/p/doctor-dementia-whiteboard?fbclid=IwAR0R1jRcq4R1m8XEQFIuAXKSqKKX12KHZ_t5JKJ0YhY0dK_Cu6plxEt3sL4

Dr Phillip Grimmer is a doctor in Wiltshire who visits people suffering from dementia. People with dementia often experience memory loss, struggling to remember things which can cause worry and stress. They can also find difficult in thinking and problem solving.

Dr Grimmer was visiting one patient and saw this board on the wall that the patient's daughter had written to reassure her. The daughter said the board helped to reduce anxious phone calls from her Mum.

Dr Grimmer put the picture on twitter and got over 7000 likes. he said the board was, "caring, reassuring and sensible - it's just such a simple idea."

Lots of doctors commented on the picture. One said, "I have seen people talk down to those with dementia, which is just not right. they are still adults who know when they are being treated differently."

"People just do not know how to interact with them. It takes patience."

 What do you see in the picture?
where do you think it is?
who is it for?
Why is it there?

explain the story

- what is dementia?
- who can suffer from dementia? (anyone can)
- why do you think the Mum is making lots of "anxious phone calls"? what will she be saying?
- why has the daughter made this board?
- how do you think Mum feels when she reads the board?
- "I have seen people talk down to those with dementia," what does the doctor mean by this?
- why might having dementia make someone feel like an outsider?
- what is the daughter doing to try and stop her mum feeling like an outsider?
- do you think it's working? why?
- "people just do know know how to interact with them. It takes patience" what do you think the doctor is encouraging people to think about? (how to work with people who are different)
- what can we learn from the daughter in this story?
- why is this story about No Outsiders?

reflection: think about how we can care for people who need help. Think about something I can do this week to show care and compassion.

www.no-outsiders.com

No Outsiders in our school: teaching the Equality act in primary schools by Andrew Moffat