May 2015

Menshed Terenure – There was fantastic support for the launch of the Menshed last week in Terenure.  This is a great initiative – a member based organisation which operates at grassroots level in the community improving participants health and well-being.  If you are interested to be involved contact  Neil@applewoodhomecare.ie

 

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Also in other news Parkinson’s disease has been in the news recently as the second most common occurring neurodegenerative condition after Alzheimer’s. For staff in Applewood with family members suffering with the condition we have personal practical experience of the challenges posed by symptoms to both client and the people looking after them.

The disease is a movement disorder whose classic features are tremor, rigidity and slowness of movement but many other physical symptoms relate to Parkinson’s – difficulty with swallowing food, feelings of constipation, speech changes, blank face, dizziness and low blood pressure, and balance problems.

Mental symptoms which feature with the disease are anxiety and fixation, memory loss and depression – for some sleep problems can develop.

Parkinson’s symptoms develop over time with the reduced levels of dopamine and also can be as a result of side effects of medication.

Impulsive-compulsive behaviours which are usually noticed by family members as behaviour totally out of character are very challenging as if they are left untreated they can become addictions which take over their lives.

An example from our family is an uncontrollable urge to buy things that are not needed to the point that six boxes of the same cereal are purchased on a weekly shop resulting in hoarding about the house.  Such behaviours can be linked to medication such as dopamine replacements so it is worth investigating this cause if this is presenting in your family.  A psychologist is also very useful to help work things through as oftentimes the anxiety with Parkinson’s exacerbates these other issues.

A useful resource if you are caring for a loved one with this disease or are or dealing with a recent diagnosis is www.parkinsons.ie

 

May events at the Evergreen Club:

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Weekly activities taking place in the Evergreen Club:

Monday:

  • 11am-2pm   –   Lunches
  • 19.30-22.00 –   Bridge

Tuesday:

  • 11am-12.15pm -Coisceim Dance classes
  • 14.00-16.00     -Bridge
  • 19.00-21.00     -Red cross

Wednesday:

  • 11am-14.00     -Lunches
  • 14.00-17.00     -Boules
  • 15.00-17.00     -Mens Shed

Thursday

  • 10am-11.30    -Computer Classes
  • 14.00-16.00    -Art Classes

Friday

  • 11am-12        -Exercise Classes

Check out the progress the guys are making in the Coisceam Dance classes.

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History Lectures this month

Thursday May 7th: Mount Merrion Historical Society, Fitzwilliam Rooms Mount Merrion Community Centre 8pm, ‘For the Sake of Peat – The byways ad narrow gauge railways of Bord na Mona’ illustrated talk by Sean Cain

 

Tuesday May 19th: Foxrock Local History Club in Foxrock Pastoral Centre (Beside Foxrock Church Jct Kill Lane / Bray Rd N11) 8pm ‘Gallipoli 100 years’ Cmdt. Tony Roe.

 

Wednesday May 20th: Dun Laoghaire Historical Society in Royal Marine Hotel Dun Laoghaire. At 8pm  “Herman Goertz, the Secret Agent who came in uniform”. Speaker; Jim Scannell

 

Monday 27th May 8pm – Clondalkin Historical Society, Arás Chronáin, Watery Lane, Clondalkin : Emer Ging presents ‘ Clondalkin’s Viking Connections’

 

Thursday 28th May at 8pm to The Rathmines, Ranelagh & Rathgar Historical Society in Rathmines Town Hall, Rathmines Rd, D.6 (Admission €3) ‘The Theatre Royal’ Illustrated talk by Conor Doyle

We are currently recruiting at the moment, minimum Fetac requirement, if interested please email your CV to jane@applewoodhomecare.ie. We have recently linked up with Chevlon Training, Irelands Employment Skill Provider who provide a range of different courses available for those who think caring for others might be a career suited to them

Safety Notice – Crime Alerts:

An increased number of burglary’s are taking place in the area during the day time – the Garda advise not to keep large sums of money in the house, keep doors and windows locked and use your alarm.

ATM skimming of bank cards has occurred  at ALL banks in Rathmines. (This is where fraudsters use card reading devices either inserted into the card slot or over it so that when you put your card into the machine it can surreptitiously read its magnetic strip. Small cameras placed over the keypad then film you entering your PIN.) If you have used an ATM in Rathmines recently, ensure you carefully check your statements for suspicious activity and inform the bank immediately if you discover anything amiss.

As always beware of bogus callers to your door.