• HOME
  • VISIT
  • EXHIBIT
  • Digital Hub
  • NEWS
  • CONTACT
  • HOME
  • VISIT
  • EXHIBIT
  • Digital Hub
  • NEWS
  • CONTACT

Joe Behrens is 93 Years Old – "Dementia doesn’t restrict my life!”

  • Posted by admin
  • On 6th May 2014

Joe Behrens is 93 years old and lives in Whetstone, North London. He has a live in carer called Jairo, who is provided through SweetTree Home Care Services.

????????

Joe fled from Germany to live in Zambia in 1939, when he was just 18 years old. He was a qualified electrician and worked on many different projects, including opening the very first open air cinema in Zambia. Whilst working in South Africa he met his wife Eva and they settled in Zambia, going on to have three sons. In 1973 they decided to move to the UK permanently.

Dementia diagnosis

It was Joe’s family who first noticed signs of dementia in his behaviour, including increasing disorientation about places. Joe subsequently went to see his GP and was referred to Barnet Hospital for a formal diagnosis. He was finally diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease after approximately one year.

Helen Behrens, Joe’s daughter in-law, is a dementia trainer who saw the signs and knew where to go to get help. Helen said: “We found getting a formal diagnosis was a prolonged experience. A timely diagnosis is extremely important. People need to feel ready for a diagnosis of dementia. Some people talk about an early diagnosis, but it needs to be timely.”

Support options

Joe and his family have always discussed his Alzheimer’s disease very openly and have worked together to manage the condition as it has progressed. Being pragmatic by nature, together with Helen’s knowledge of dementia, both Joe and his family have looked at support options and risk management planning.

In November 2012, in light of Eva’s deteriorating physical health, the family decided to contact SweetTree about possible care and flexible support options. This led to an initial stint of emergency live in care, then to blocks of short term live in care, nights or long days, being provided depending on Joe and Eva’s needs.

When Eva sadly passed away in April 2013, Jairo joined Joe as a long term live in carer. This support has enabled Joe to remain at home, whilst reducing risk and worry for his family.

“Any action we considered taking needed to be what Joe wanted, and in his best interest, to enable him to keep his freedom and independence,” said Helen. “The main benefits of the live in care arrangement are Joe maintains his independence and risks relating to safety are minimised.”

Jairo helps Joe with a range of support, from managing housework to helping with cooking and nutrition. They regularly go for trips and long walks, sightseeing and look at scrap books of past holidays, with all support being tailored to Joe’s individual passions and preferences.

Jairo also assists Joe in visiting The Sam Beckman Centre three times a week, which he really enjoys. The centre offers a programme of stimulating activities for people who have memory impairment and/or a diagnosis of a type of dementia.

Helen said: “Jairo is incredible at researching relevant activities. This input is really important, as it prompts Joe’s long term memory enabling him to retain his identity. Jairo always finds music, documentaries and movies that Joe enjoys. Just last week they were listening to Bavarian music Joe knew and loved from his past. It would just not be possible for Joe to remain at home, where he is most content, without the live-in care that Jairo provides.”

“If you’re facing this situation yourself, then plan, and be prepared,” concluded Helen. “Be pragmatic and practical, so decisions can be made early on. Even if support isn’t needed immediately, it’s so important to explore all the options.”

Joe added: “Forget about it! Dementia doesn’t restrict my life.”

SweetTree is sponsoring The Alzheimer’s Show 2014, which will be taking place 16-17 May at Olympia in London. For more information please visit www.alzheimersshow.co.uk

 

0 Comments

Recent Posts
  • Supporter Spotlight. The Good Care Group – Communicating with a loved one
  • January Supporter Spotlight. Dementia Carers Count. Free professional support.
  • How activities help Care Staff relate to the Lived Experience of Dementia
  • OMi’s sensory system to motivate and engage people with dementia.
  • Namaste Care Room at The Alzheimer’s Show
Recent Comments
  • admin on The Full Virtual Dementia Tour & Training Experience
  • Tina on The Full Virtual Dementia Tour & Training Experience
  • admin on The Full Virtual Dementia Tour & Training Experience
  • Valerei on The Full Virtual Dementia Tour & Training Experience
  • davina on Tovertafel – The Magic Table for People with Dementia
Archives
  • March 2022
  • December 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • December 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • August 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • February 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • August 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
Categories
  • #DementiaUK
  • AdmiralNurses
  • Alzheimer's
  • Alzheimer's Research
  • Alzheimer's Show
  • Alzheimer's Society
  • Beaconsfield
  • Call Prevention Registry
  • Care homes
  • CPR Call Blocker
  • Daily Telegraph
  • Dementia
  • Dementia Care
  • Dementia Challenge
  • Dementia Friends
  • Diagnosis
  • ECCA
  • Elderly care
  • G8
  • G8 Dementia Summit
  • Granddad
  • Granddaughter
  • London
  • Memory Loss
  • Memory Walk
  • Olympia
  • Red & Yellow Care
  • Research
  • RT
  • SweetTree Home Care Services
  • SweetTress
  • The Alzheimer's Show
  • Uncategorised
  • Uncategorized
  • Young Carer

Is there a way of living a good life with dementia?

Young Carer, Ryan Matthews-Robinson to Speak to The Alzheimer’s Show Visitors about Positive Impact Dementia can have on Grandchildren

Scroll

Copyright © 2022 The Alzheimer's Show – All Rights Reserved.  Privacy policy.

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Accept
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT