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New Models of Care

The Social Club Model

Presented by Mary Bolger, Services Manager (Kildare/West Wicklow)

Alzheimer Society of Ireland

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Presentation outline

Examine the origin of the social clubs Outline the study design and procedure Present the literature supporting the

social clubs Present the core elements of what makes

the model ‘unique’ Reflect staff and members’ experience Discuss future developments and

implications for policy and practice

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Social Club’s Origin

Identification of unmet need No service for both PWD and

spouse/carer Carers’ socially isolated

The Social Club Meeting once a week Outing every second week Informal and loose structure

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Study Design and Procedure

Small scale –mixed quantitative and qualitative

Postal survey to members and staff Feedback of themes to one club Interviews with key stakeholders Analysed for themes

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Supporting Literature

Dementia and effect on caregiver Increased rate of stress/depression More socially isolated Requires continuous adaptation to

change Loss of confidant

Social Support and Caring ‘stress buffering’ qualities More significant in the elderly

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Supporting Literature

Alzheimer Café Model Underlying vision of ‘living with

dementia’ Meeting places for PWD and their

families, carers Social and educational

Couple Identity and Couplehood

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Couple Identity

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Couple Identity

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Couple Identity and Couplehood

Couple Identity “being part of a couple as being part of

one’s identity” (Beeson, 2003) Losing this identity is a real threat – to

carer and to person with dementia Celebrating personhood may require

the celebration of couplehood ‘Doing things together’ – couple

receives recognition; carer receives support

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Unique Elements of Social Clubs

Embrace couplehood Informal structure ‘Worry-free socialising’ Outings ‘Members’ as opposed to ‘Service-

Users’ Sense of belonging

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Reflections – members of the club

“it makes you realise you’re not on your own”

“as a couple it allows us to meet others with similar interests”

“outings with security of knowing support and help is at hand”

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Reflections – facilitators of the club

“Forget the formal stuff. People are lonely and they want to talk to others in the

same boat”

“The person with dementia…..have a contribution to make from a social point of

view….very important for self-esteem”

“great friendships have been born and we as a group have shared some very happy

and emotional days together”

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Future Developments

Expansion of social club model to other regions

Without losing uniqueness of each group to function as their members desire

Multiple benefits, value for money Investing in staff and resources

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Implications for Practice

Some Questions Should service models continue to separate

the couple? Which is more beneficial for spouse – a break

away from PWD or a break with them, with no responsibility for care needs?

By having spouse involved – do we share the duty of care?

Are the club and traditional service models mutually exclusive or mutually beneficial?

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Implications for Policy

Traditional approach needs to be critically analysed

Policy shift from providing services ‘onto’ to ‘in conjunction with’

Maintaining couple as central to all discussions regarding care

Re-examine models and further research into emerging models

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Frankie

Muriel

AdrienneJean

Maurice

Margaret

Jenny

Monday Club, Bray Friday Club, Rathfarnham

Monday Club, Athy

Mary

Patricia

Leslie

Sr Peig

Grainne

Helena