Pamela's story
Pamela Lee contacted Manchester Carers Centre about Caring with Confidence after seeing an article about the programme in her local paper. For over 20 years she has been caring for her mother, Ambrozine, 90, who now has vascular dementia. Together with the dementia, her mother suffers from impaired hearing and sight, arthritis, diabetes and has a cardiac pacemaker to correct her heart problem.
Pamela who has two grown up daughters, lives in Manchester and travels over forty five minutes to care for her mum who lives in sheltered accommodation in South Manchester. Pamela said: “The roles have been reversed between me and mum. I do the cleaning, shopping and help with her personal care and provide emotional and physical support. Until recently I would take her to medical appointments but now my mother has refused to leave the complex so I am trying to arrange domiciliary visits were possible.
“It can get difficult at times as I feel like I have no time to myself and with running my home and keeping things together for my mother it can get very tiring.”
After attending the Caring with Confidence sessions Pamela found she picked up a lot of tips and advice that she was able to apply to help her cope better juggling her various roles.
Pamela added: “My daughters have noticed how much better I have been at managing since I started the programme and they are proud of the way I have been coping with my caring role. I have gained a lot more confidence in myself and as a carer. I have also been making sure that I rest and have time for me. If I do have a bad day, I refer to the resource books that we were given at each session for help and guidance.
“The facilitators were really helpful and pointed me in the right direction with some issues that I have had to deal with. I also learnt how to communicate more effectively with professionals about my mum’s health and about proper complaint procedures when something goes wrongs.
“I also found that the sessions were a great form of support and guidance as well as a good place to meet with friendly and interesting people. They were always something to look forward to. Even though I have finished the Caring with Confidence programme I still keep in touch with a fellow carer whose mum also suffers with dementia. It is a comfort to have someone to talk to who understands my situation.”