Caremark Thanet Raise Money for Dementia Action Week

About Dementia

Dementia is not a disease; it is caused by other diseases with Alzheimer's disease being by far the biggest cause.  Dementia respects no-one. It has no sympathy for illness, for gender or status. It is not a natural part of aging though age makes us more susceptible. Dementia will touch the lives of many of us. It is estimated that in Thanet there are over 2000 people living with dementia and this figure will rise to approximately 3000 in 2026. In Kent the figures are over 22 000 people currently living with dementia, rising to over 30 000 in 2026.

Caremark Thanet's Dementia Support

As things stand, there is no cure. There are, though, things that can be done to help those living with dementia and their families. These things often cost money. And that money is often raised through charitable donations. At Caremark Thanet, we were trying to think of what we could do for Dementia Action Week, which this year takes place between the 21 and 27 May. We have supported the East Kent Hospitals' Dementia Appeal in the past and thought that me might like to do something again for that appeal.The question was what precisely could we do?

Our question was answered for us by Jay Harrison, pictured below, who volunteered to have his legs and chest waxed to raise money for this very worthwhile charity. 

Jay Harrison before his waxing

Jay who works for Caremark Thanet, is no stranger to charitable fundraising. In June 2017, he made his debut as a stand-up comedian at our charity comedy night held at Bernie's Chocolate Bar in Margate.  Let's face it, to do a stand-up comedy routine takes some courage, but probably not as much courage as having your legs waxed. With Jay's help we are trying to raise £700. If you'd like to donate you can do so by going to Jay's JustGiving page. 

Jay will be having his head shaved at 3.00 pm on 21 May 2018 at Caremark Thanet's offices - Unit A5A Continental Approach, Margate, CT9 4JG. His legs and chest will be waxed two days later on 23 May 2018 at the same location - the time to be confirmed.



Garry Costain is the Managing Director of Caremark Thanet, a domiciliary care provider with offices in Margate, Kent. Caremark Thanet provides home care services throughout the Isle of Thanet. Garry can be contacted on 01843 235910 or email: garry.costain@caremark.co.uk. You can also visit Caremark Thanet's website at: www.caremark.co.uk/thanet.

Caremark Thanet Present a Cheque to East Kent Hospitals' Dementia Appeal

In December 2017 we sponsored a quiz night at Bernie's Chocolate Bar in aid of East Kent Hospitals' Dementia Appeal. The weather was atrocious, but that did not deter some of Thanet's hardiest quizzers.

From left to right: from East Kent Hospitals: Vicky Adley, Joy Marshall, Lorna Shadbolt and Karen Scrivener; and Garry Costain, Managing Director of Caremark Thanet.

Many people living with dementia have to be admitted to hospital. The aim of the appeal is to help those people leave hospital as fit as possible. The people who attended the quiz night at Bernie's were exceptionally generous in their support of this worthwhile cause. On the night we raised almost £400 and Caremark Thanet was very pleased to match this sum. Caremark Thanet, with the support of the amazing Thanet community, has raised £2000 since June 2017 for the East Kent Hospitals' Dementia Appeal and there is no doubt that there will be more fundraising activities in the future.

From left to right: Jemma Clayton, Caremark Thanet's Business Development Manager; From East Kent Hospitals: Joy Marshall, Lorna Shadbolt and Karen Scrivener; and Garry Costain, Managing Director of Caremark Thanet.

We'd like to say a very big thank you to everyone who supported our quiz and gave so generously on the night.

Garry Costain is the Managing Director of Caremark Thanet, a domiciliary care provider with offices in Margate, Kent. Caremark Thanet provides home care services throughout the Isle of Thanet. Garry can be contacted on01843 235910or email garry.costain@caremark.co.uk. You can also visit Caremark Thanet's website atwww.caremark.co.uk/thanet.

Caremark Thanet's Cheese and Wine Evening

On Friday 15 September we held a cheese and wine evening for our customers. The event was held at Smith's Court Hotel in Margate. The hotel is a fantastic venue for events like this. We have used the hotel for training days, recruitment days and now our cheese and wine evening, and we are never disappointed.

Our evening had several aims. Firstly, we wanted to say a little thank you to our customers and provide an opportunity for them to meet and socialize with each other.

Secondly, our customers had the chance to meet some of the Caremark Thanet staff whom they would not under normal circumstances have a chance to meet.

Thirdly, and very importantly, we provided an opportunity for customers, their families and friends to get expert advice from specialist dementia nurses, Karen Scrivener and Lorna Shadbolt, who were joined on the night by Victoria Adley who is the Fund Raising and Development Officer for East Kent Hospitals. We'd like to say a very big thank you to Victoria, Lorna and Karen for giving so generously of their time.

Victoria, Karen and Lorna are pictured below with one of our customers.

The feedback from those who attended was extremely positive. The specialist dementia advice was particularly well received. Such was the success of the evening that we intend to do other events throughout the year.

Garry Costain is the Managing Director of Caremark Thanet, a domiciliary care provider with offices in Margate, Kent. Caremark Thanet provides home care services throughout the Isle of Thanet. Garry can be contacted on 01843 235910 or email garry.costain@caremark.co.uk. You can also visit Caremark Thanet's website at www.caremark.co.uk/thanet.

Support Our Dementia Appeal

Did you hear the one about the circus lion who ate a clown? He said never again because the clown tasted funny. You thought that was a bit cheesy, did you? Personally, I thought it was grate.

There's nothing like high class comedy: And that was nothing like high class comedy. However, I'll let you into a secret: I know where you can find high class comedy in Thanet. It's a secret I'm sharing with you but keep it to yourself because places will be limited. The place is Bernie's Chocolate Bar, 12-14 High Street, Margate, CT9 1AT; the date: Friday, 30 June 2017; the time 7.30 pm.

You can be sure that  in this place (Bernie's Chocolate Bar), on this day (Friday 30 June 2017) at this time (7.30) there is a stand up comedy night where the quality of the jokes will be far superior to what is on offer in this article. But this event is more than just a showcase for some of the regions comedic talent. It is also an event that will raise money for East Kent Hospital's Dementia Appeal.

Dementia is an evil, hideous, horrible condition. Dementia is not itself a disease. It is an umbrella term that refers to symptoms caused by a number of illnesses, of which Alzheimer's disease is, perhaps, the most widely known. There are probably, however, a hundred or more illnesses that can cause dementia.

The shadow of dementia will touch many of us. It is estimated that in Thanet there are over 2000 dementia patients and this figure will rise to approximately 3000 by 2026. In Kent the figures are over 22 000 current patients rising to over 30 000 by 2026.

To raise money for East Kent Hospital's Dementia Appeal, Caremark Thanet has teamed up with Bernie's Chocolate Bar to bring you a a charity comedy night. Caremark Thanet will match the sum of money raised on the night up to a maximum of £500. We have requested that the money raised goes specifically to the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital in Margate.

Come along and join us. The price of entry is just £5 on the door. We have a wide range of performers. Our youngest performer is 23 years old; our oldest is 86. Some of our comics are very experienced; some are not; one or two are first timers. Old or young; experienced or novice; all our performers want your support. And in supporting our comics you will also be supporting the most worthwhile of charitable appeals.

Alternatively, you could stay at home and wait for my next article on the subject of comedy. Did you hear the one about... .

Garry Costain is the Managing Director of Caremark Thanet, a domiciliary care provider with offices in Margate, Kent. Caremark Thanet provides home care services throughout the Isle of Thanet. Garry can be contacted on 01843 235910 or email garry.costain@caremark.co.uk. You can also visit Caremark Thanet's website at www.caremark.co.uk/thanet.

East Kent Independent Dementia Support

Dementia touches the lives of many of us. It is estimated that in Thanet there are over 2000 dementia patients and this figure will rise to approximately 3000 in 2026. In Kent the figures are over 22 000 current patients rising to over 30 000 in 2026.

Dementia is not itself a disease. It is an umbrella term that refers to symptoms caused by a number of illnesses, of which Alzheimer's disease is, perhaps, the most widely known. There are probably, however, a hundred or more illnesses that can cause dementia.

One of the most difficult things for people whose lives are affected by dementia is where to go to find support and advice. In East Kent we are very lucky to have a number of organisations, one of which, in particular, is East Kent Independent Dementia Support (EKIDS for short). I have singled out this organisation for mention in this article because today I, along with a colleague, attended one of their monthly support group meetings, where we were made very welcome indeed.

EKIDS is a support group in East Kent for people living with dementia and for their families and carers. There are five locations (see the website for details), where meetings are held, usually once each month at each location. (EKIDS do a great deal more than this, but I'll keep this article brief). The meeting we attended was at St Christopher's church in Newington, Ramsgate.

At the meeting we attended, there was a speaker named Christine Cuss, who gave a very interesting and moving talk about growing up during the blitz. In adult life, she discovered a diary kept by her father addressed to her. Christine has published this diary as a book entitled Notes to my Daughter. Proceeds from the book are donated by Christine to the British Legion.

There are a number of impressive things about EKIDS; I will mention just three. First, you are sure of a very warm welcome. If you want to attend a meeting, you can contact them in advance (01227 730000; enquiries@ekids.org.uk), or you can just turn up. Either way you will be made very welcome.

The second impressive thing is that the people there genuinely feel they are supported; it is difficult to put a price on that.

And thirdly, the people in this group are a fantastic source of knowledge. They probably do not have the answers to everyone's questions, but someone will probably be in a position to know where the answers can be found.

If you want more information about EKIDS:
go to their website: www.ekids.org.uk
telephone: 01227 73000
email: ekids.enquiries@outlook.com

They also have a Facebook page that is well worth a visit.

If you or someone you know is affected by dementia, EKIDS may be well worth looking more closely at.

Garry Costain is the Managing Director of Caremark Thanet, a domiciliary care provider with offices in Margate, Kent. Caremark Thanet provides home care services throughout the Isle of Thanet. Garry can be contacted on 01843 235910 or email garry.costain@caremark.co.uk. You can also visit Caremark Thanet's website at www.caremark.co.uk/thanet.