Amazing Person of The Week: Jane Kerr Wood

Home Care Preferred had the pleasure of meeting Jane recently, and hearing more about her inspiring project. She has recently publish a new book about ‘the funny side of being a carer’ – “Dementia Diva – tales and tips from a survivor”. Jane, a local artist, wrote and illustrated the publication herself. Born out of her years spent caring for her elderly Mother who was living with dementia.

She describes it as “a comic book for adults” as it is packed with 20 pages of cartoons in full colour; an easy read punctuated with diary entries from her experiences supporting her Mother and advice on how to cope if you are in a similar situation. Most people these days have a friend or relative touched by this condition and Jane knows from her years working as a social worker there is a great deal of heart-ache going on in isolation behind closed doors. This book is aimed at encouraging us all to be more honest and open about the negative emotions we suffer as carers however much we love the person being looked after. ”

“Dark thoughts…Of course we all have them!” Since publication last September Jane has positive feedback and it is clear the book also relates well to other conditions, for example Parkinson’s disease, so now Jane reckons she should have given it a different title such as “The Reluctant Carer”…but she admits to being a bit of a Diva so maybe she got it right first time!

Home Care Preferred now stocks “Dementia Diva – tales and tips from a survivor”