I have learned loads of interesting stuff in the last couple of weeks. Some of it formal, other things that I have picked up on just by being there.
I find dementia far more fascinating than I expected to be honest. All aspects of mental illness interest me, and I am happy to learn about whatever, but this has been very interesting. One of the nurses spent some time with some relatives yesterday. I sat in, just cos I was eager to learn how these very sensitive issues and awkward questions are dealt with. The nurse explained to the family that their relative wasn’t going to recover from dementia. She went on to say that it is especially difficult because where as with cancer or other serious diseases, there is still hope. With dementia, there is none. She talked about how bascially, it is a reversal of developmental stages. To imagine all the things that a baby learns to do, and basically work backwards. There is no easy way to deliver that kind of information, yet she did it with such sensitivity and compassion that she managed to tell the relatives what they needed to know without devastating them entirely. I was very moved by it all.
I went to see the ECT suite yesterday. I can’t go and see the procedure until a bit further on into my training, but I got to look at the equipment and stuff. It wasn’t as daunting as I expected it to be. The nurses in there were dead helpful and answered all my questions and gave me info packs to keep. It is nothing like it looks like in One Flew over the Cuckoo’s nest I can assure you (although I love that film. Jack Nicholson is ace) Far less scary looking than I thought it would be. Still freaks me a bit to think of the brain being electrocuted however, but for some people it is highly effective and really improves their quality of life. Therefore, I am all for it.
I love this course.
