After a period of her childrens’ illnesses, spouse job losses and her own ill-health, which had left the whole family at a very low point financially, Jane wanted to start again and rebuild her career and her family’s circumstances. She had previously worked in dementia care and seen examples of poor uninformed practice, but also some really excellent care which has inspired what she has done since. She wanted to establish a training company which would teach people how to care for people living with dementia well while also learning to care for themselves to become resilient, well care workers. Because she hadn’t been working for a couple of years, and had no funds to put in, no one would support her until she met Purple Shoots – after that first meeting, she said she could see a chink of light beginning to shine at the end of the long dark tunnel she’d been in.

With the loan she established her business DUETcare and it took off – training people from the public and private sector and becoming recognised as an expert in her field. As a result, she was encouraged to write a book and this has been published with the help of another small loan from Purple Shoots. The book is called “Finding the Light in Dementia” and is aimed at families and individuals caring for loved ones living with dementia; a simple and practical guide to help families and friends know what to say and do when caring for their loved ones living with the condition. It is a great book – everyone should have a copy – and it is a testament to her courage, perseverance and determination and her passion for caring for people living with dementia.
https://www.findingthelightindementia.com/ – you can buy her book on Amazon

Since the Covid lockdown, she has been acutely aware of the many issues exacerbated by the enforced isolation for people living with dementia and their families, and for the stress and challenges presented to care staff and providers. She has devised a plan to take DUETcare™ online, offering affordable dementia training and staff wellbeing resources to help all affected. For health and social care staff it will provide excellent care and support and for the care providers, address many of the challenges of staff retention. DUETcare™ will also provide fantastic activities to help family carers communicate and stay connected with their loved ones living with dementia.