Health & FitnessHelp & Support'Life With Two Hats' - caring for those with dementia 'Life With Two Hats' - caring for those with dementia
04/06/2009
A woman's experience of caring for someone with Alzheimers led her to make an award-winning short film in 2004 called 'Life With Two Hats' to help those in similar situations. Endorsed by Claire Rayner, herself a former nurse, the film has now been released in DVD format - and is available free of charge upon receipt of an SAE.
Viviana Fain-Binda's moving film is based on the experience of two families and her own experience of caring for her mother. She said: “When you look after somebody with dementia, you wear two hats: the ‘Florence Nightingale Cap of Compassion’ looking after the physical and mental needs, and ‘The Warrior Helmet’ battling your way to find out what services and benefits are available.”
'Life With Two Hats' was made expressly for those caring for people with dementia - most of whom are unpaid, often isolated, and struggle every day to deal with the devastating effects of the disease. Viviana added: “I really want to bring to the attention of carers that they are not alone and that they should seek the help of local services and facilities. I have found that carers frequently feel guilty about asking for help and often forget even their own well-being.”
Claire Rayner, who believes the video is an important resource for everyone affected by Alzheimers, said: “Even people who feel they know all there is to know about Alzheimer’s disease will find this video useful. Those who are facing it for the first time, either as a patient or a carer, will find this video useful, as well as moving beyond measure. I hope it is seen by as many people as possible, including children, who may have a relative suffering from this most debilitating and cruel of conditions.”
The Alzheimer's Society have endorsed the film, calling it an important resource for carers. As well as being available through certain charities and libraries, it is also available free of charge upon receipt of an SAE. You will need to send a C5 envelope (plain, not padded or jiffy) with your address and 61p postage for 1st class and 47p postage for 2nd class to: PO Box 64333, London, NW6 9NB
And if you are a regular library user, then please ask your librarian to order a copy so that others may benefit from it.
For information and advice on Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia call the Alzheimer's Society national helpline on 0845 300 0336 or visit the website below.