Samantha Humphreys is taking the stigma out of this debilitating condition
Samantha (Sam) Humphreys says no one should be afraid of people with dementia. The Narraweena local has been helping people with dementia for 16 years. She is a Proveda dementia advisor and home care services coordinator. Though Proveda’s office is in Frenchs Forest, Sam’s clients are all over the Beaches.
Sam says she fell into being a support worker when her youngest child started school and one of her friends recommended support work.
“I started looking after people living with dementia in their own homes,” says Sam. “Some were living by themselves, some with family, and I really enjoyed it. When the kids got older, I studied dementia, and that’s when I started to do care coordination and case management.”
Sam says the services that Proveda provide are essential, as are the social connections that they foster. She also says there’s a stigma associated with dementia.
“I think because it’s not understood,” says Sam. “People are afraid to communicate with a person with dementia because they’re afraid of silence or the person not understanding them. They’re afraid of how they’re going to react.
“And the more we are out there showing up and connecting communities, the less stigma or mystery there is going to be about it.”
Sam currently has about 43 clients that she either calls or visits. Her role is to offer information, advice and guidance to people with dementia and their carers about services and support available to help people live at home.
She also offers advice on how to manage dementia symptoms and how to adapt their homes to manage their living environment. If someone with dementia lives alone, it won’t work. They have to have support in place.
Sam’s favourite days of the month are ‘Chatter Cino’ days, where around 20 members and their carers meet up for a cuppa. Current meet-up spots include Taste Buds café in Terrey Hills and The Aqua Bar in Dee Why RSL.
Everyone is welcome and Sam links people with community transport organisations such as Easy Link and Community Connect if they need transport.
“It’s very casual, with coffee and cake, and the clients talk to each other—sometimes about their diagnosis and sometimes not,” says Sam. The carers get an opportunity to connect, share stories and support each other. There’s lots of phone number swapping, which is really nice to see because it’s a natural support system.”
What are some signs to look out for if people think they or a loved one might have dementia?
“Somebody might be very forgetful – and when I say forgetful, I don’t mean you left your keys in the other room or something like that. It’s more about forgetting a big event. For instance, you just went to a wedding, and somebody says, ‘How was the wedding?’ and you say, ‘What wedding?’”
Fast friends Joe and Steve at Chatter ‘Cino
If you recognise signs in yourself or a family member of dementia, Sam says it’s essential to visit a doctor for tests and get a referral to a geriatrician or neurologist for further testing if required.
Proveda offers many other community services and programs as well as dementia care.
The Belong Club hosts a wide array of weekly activities, including book clubs, workshops, walks, online exercise classes, computer classes and bingo.
Other services include disability and mental health support, aged care and end-of-life advice.
Visit proveda.com.au for more information.