This week our guests were Rotarians Chris Suich and Pat King who came to talk about Bob’s Brainwaves, a charity they set up (with others) to help individuals and their carers at the point of a dementia diagnoses.
The project was born of Chris’ experience looking after her husband Bob, who was diagnosed with early onset dementia in his late 50’s. When trying to find out what benefits and assistance may be available, Chris discovered there was very little help and was left scouring websites for information and forms, all while trying to keep an eye on Bob.
The Bob’s Brainwaves Information Pack is the information she wish she’d been given. It’s a folder full of forms, information and ideas to help carers deal with organisations from the DVLA (cancellation of drivers licence) to Anglian Water (accommodating the possibility of taps been left running) and tasks from claiming a council tax reduction to gaining power of attorney.
The pack is currently specific to the East Lindsey district of Lincolnshire and around 500 have been delivered since the project launched on the 31st of January. Feedback has been excellent and the project will soon be expanded to the West Lindsey district, though this is far from the limit of Chris’ ambitions!
May saw the release of the Bob’s Brainwaves Widgit Packs, a collaboration with an education specialist to provide downloadable packs of symbols that can be used to label or sign objects, describe routines, or facilitate games and activities. Again this was born from Chris’ experience of using symbols (inspired by her work as a teacher) to help Bob stay at home as long as possible.
To request an information pack, download Widgit symbols or just learn more, visit www.bobsbrainwaves.org.uk