MINDFUL CARE
Given the choice, many of us would choose to remain in the comfort of our own homes and familiar surroundings whilst receiving quality care and support.
I am an independent care professional with many years' experience in mental health and the care sector.
It is my intention to provide you with the highest quality of compassionate care based on a care plan tailored to your specific needs and wishes.
In promoting independence, choice and dignity this approach will enable you to continue living life surrounded by your community and home comforts. It has been proven that supporting people in their own homes improves both health and well-being.
SPECIALIST DEMENTIA CARE
Simplicity . Patience . Compassion
My aim is to improve the quality of life for people living with Dementia, as well as offering support and peace of mind to their family and friends. I work closely with your GP and other health care professionals to provide the necessary stimulation and advice throughout my time with you.
My focus on a very personal and individual approach is combined with a flexible time structure to meet your needs. I strive to work with the family, giving them the information and the strength needed to enable better care.
My intention is to learn about the individual's personality, interests, likes and dislikes. It is important to allow sufficient time for the care and support of people with dementia since many will find that their communication skills are affected by the condition.
CARING FOR A LOVED ONE WITH DEMENTIA
A MINDFULNESS APPROACH
The challenges of providing appropriate care to a person with dementia are profound. This can result in extraordinary stress for dementia caregivers. Some of these challenges are:
Multiple impairments – Dementia impacts negatively on various aspects of functioning: cognitive, behavioural, language and motor. This means that the caregiver needs to care for the person not just cognitively, but also emotionally, socially and physically.
Intensity – As the disease progresses, the person requires more and more care, to the point of complete assistance.
Unpredictability – During the early and middle stages of some types of dementia, behaviours and the ability to function can vary greatly from one moment to the next.
The main hallmark of the most common types of dementia is the effect the condition has on memory and the resulting confusion surrounding memory loss. Furthermore, there is a reduced capacity to think in (and plan for) the future. The present moment is truly where the person with dementia dwells. What better way could there be to meet such a person than with a practice that brings one’s full attention into the present moment? With the appropriate patience, kindness and compassion.
I borrow from various therapeutic approaches, as well as from my own meditation practice of more than 30 years. Therapeutic approaches such as Jon Kabat-Zin’s programme, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), Marguerite Manteau-Rao’s Mindfulness-Based Dementia Care (MBDC), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Interpersonal Mindfulness (IM), as well as the SPECAL (Dementia support) method.
It is essential for the person to feel needed and useful for as long as they can. In fact, the need to feel useful, along with the ability to make decisions are the two most important emotional needs to consider when caring for your loved one. Many dementia behaviours have their roots in one of these two needs not being met.
Why Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is an ancient practice that has stood the test of time and has now spread around the world. It is a non-judgemental, moment-to-moment awareness; our powerful capacity to pay attention and be fully present for ourselves, as well as for the person with dementia. This ability to be in the present moment helps us transcend communication barriers, begin to understand distress signs and allow the cultivation of kindness, patience and compassion.
My own mindfulness practise helps me provide the best possible care as I go about interacting with the person with dementia. I find that I am calmer, more centred and more open to what each new moment brings. I can respond, rather than react. I pay attention and notice nonverbal signals from the person, and I try to attune myself to the person’s present state of being. When I am mindful of my various responsibilities and interactions, I know that the person feels recognised and they will, more likely, respond positively to my input and support.
TESTIMONIALS & RECOMMENDATIONS
"My wife developed frontal lobe dementia about nine years ago now, which slowly worsened. some four years ago, her condition had deteriorated so far that I needed outside help to look after her. One of the carers who came to us during the day, so I could continue with my own work, was Nimrod.
Nimrod developed a wonderful rapport with my wife very quickly. She loved being with him, and her spirits always rose when he came to visit. He did far better with her, especially in cheering her up and keeping her happy, than I was able to do as her husband. It was a great pleasure having him come to look after her. Whenever we were in London, trying to get him to come over for a few hours on several days in the week, was always a priority.
But, inevitably, despite his great care and help, her condition deteriorated to the point where we had to put her into a full-time care home last autumn."
Charles Goodhart, Holland Park, London
Emeritus Professor of Money and Banking
London School of economics
"As our father goes through the darkest time in his life, we truly found some light when Nimrod came into his life. Our father suffers from Dementia and can barely speak and yet Nimrod has managed to connect with him in both an emotional and intellectual way. Nimrod is kind, understanding and perceptive. He manages to create a positive and stimulating environment and our father looks forward to every one of Nimrod’s visits. Nimrod has been a life saver.”
Abigail Asher, Kensington, London
"Well into her eighties my mother was a lively, social lady rushing around London by car, foot and public transport. At 91, a widow, frail and with few friends living she feels completely isolated from the hectic world she once loved. Always hard on herself and others her physical disability and poor memory are a constant frustration to her.
Nimrod first visited her in April of this year and his now regular visits are without doubt the highlights of her week. He is very respectful of her age and at the same time makes himself at home in her house. On arrival he gauges her mood and talks and listens to her accordingly; if she doesn't wish either he sits quietly by her bed and reads while she sleeps. Her outbursts of anger and frustration can be challenging for everyone but within a few days Nimrod had found a way to calm her.
I am equally indebted to Nimrod; as my mother's carer I know that I can leave them together and that she will have plenty to tell me when I next see her. Thank you, Nimrod."
Amanda Dickson, Notting Hill, London
"I asked Nimrod to provide companionship and light care to my 85 year old mother, on a regular weekly basis. They instantly developed a very positive rapport and Nimrod's regular attendance, and assistance, has been a major comfort to all members of the family, as well as easing the burden on other friends in the area who were previously tasked with keeping an eye on my Mum when I am also away for work."
D C, Kennington, London
"Nimrod lived with my parents for a period of 7 weeks, supporting my mother who suffers from Alzheimer's and providing us, the family, with 24-hour complete reassurance. The value of this cannot be expressed in words though the gratitude will stay forever. Nimrod never hesitated to communicate with us, the immediate family, and was always available to provide updates of progress.
Nimrod showed a vast amount of sensitivity, compassion and kindness, but also common sense, practicality and the ability to put himself in the other person's shoes. His emotional depth, connection and commitment to the value of what it is to be human is unquestionable.
I have absolutely no reservation in recommending his services. He respects the needs of others and appreciates what it is to be vulnerable and totally dependent on others.
We are all forever thankful and would not hesitate to ask him to support our family again be it in crisis or to provide respite."
Dr Zoe Linton, Wimbledon, London
"Nimrod came to our house in order to suppoort my mother who has vascular dementia. He came three times a week for 3-hour sessions over a period of 6 months. His support was much-appreciated, not only for the quality of care he showed towards my mother but also for the opportunity it provided for my daughter and myself to have some much needed respite time away from caring for my mother 24/7."
A C, Chelsea, London
"Nimrod stayed at our home for 10 days to provide particular respite care for my husband, and to allow for me to go on a much-needed holiday. This involved many tasks, such as helping my husband shower in the mornings, shopping for and cooking meals, taking him out to local talks, events and social outings, and helping him get ready for bed.
Nimrod coped well and efficiently with the physical demands of supporting my husband and went about his work professionally and with a kind and friendly attitude. He was diligent, responsible and caring, providing care and support, attentive and alert throughout his time there.
My daughter felt that he engendered a calm and happy atmosphere and this gave us much comfort and peace of mind knowing that my husband was well looked after.
We would be happy to ask Nimrod to care for my husband again in the future."
Prof Ruth Itzhaki, Oxford
"I contacted Nimrod because I had heart surgery and was unable to look after myself let alone act as a full-time carer for my wife who has vascular dementia. It was fortunate for me that I did so.
Nimrod proved to be someone with a friendly disposition, caring and sensitive to my wife's problems, entirely trustworthy and reliable, and helpful in a host of practical ways. Nimrod soon became a friend to my wife, taking her for walks, chatting and doing jig saws etc. Aside from his cooking (he is a fine cook) he did pretty well everything that was involved in running a home - shopping, dusting, cleaning, washing up, doing the laundry, paying bills, taking the dog for walks.
Working as an independent, Nimrod offers a continuous relation with one person. In my experience this alone makes an entirely different and much better experience that the chop and change that charactarises much support provided by agencies (whatever promises they make).
It has been a pleasure to know him and we are very grateful for his excellent support. I recommend him in the strongest possible terms and with no reservation whatsoever."
Prof Theo Nichols, Bristol
"My father suffered from Parkinsonism with Dementia. Nimrod came into our lives and I am very grateful that he did. In helping my father by taking him out when he could no longer go out safely alone, he helped my mother have a real break too - she knew that daddy was happy and being taken care of by someone with great compassion, care and gentleness. Nimrod is, put simply, an exceptional kind of human being.
I wish my father had been able to spend more time with Nimrod, but sadly I lost both my parents in quick succession.
It is a great relief to me to this day to know that Nimrod helped us all. I remain very grateful."
Anonymous, Kensington, London
"We met Nimrod around 4 years ago - my mother was involved in a 3-month pilot to support patients with dementia. My mother took to him immediately and waited enthusiastically each week for his visits.
In May 2018, my mother's condition deteriorated. We tried a number of support agencies but my mother did not take to the individuals and rather than offering support the visits really irritated her.
Late in 2019, I managed to locate Nimrod and mentioned this to my mother - she was very enthusiastic and asked when he would visit her. Nimrod visited on a weekly basis for 3 months before my mother passed. He spent quality time with her talking about current affairs and other subjects they had in common. He treated her with such care and kindness; he felt like a member of the family. He had a soothing and relaxing effect on my mother, he knew how to calm her when she was agitated and made her laugh was delightful to hear. The family is so grateful to Nimrod for the kindness and support he gave to my mother."
Shereen Al-Khudhairy - Kensington, London
I have an up-to-date Enhanced DBS Certificate
I am comprehensively insured with Public Liability Insurance
I can provide references upon request
"Attention
is the rarest
and purest form
of generosity"
-Weil