Celia Stamper is an Admiral Nurse based at a mental health unit for older adults. My day usually starts at 7am with an early morning run with my cocker spaniel, Monty. I am a fair-weather runner but try to run three times a week, I prefer the early mornings. Most of my work is sitting down so this is an energising start to the day.
Once I have had breakfast, which is my favourite meal, I set off on the 35-minute drive to work. I am based at Southlands Assessment Unit, a mental health unit for older adults within the Kent and Medway partnership trust. Dementia UK is the charity behind the Admiral Nurse model, supporting us in our practice development and ensuring we all work consistently to the charity's standards.
My day starts with a 9am appointment. Mr Jones is a younger carer who is supporting his wife; she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease when she was 53. It is an emotional appointment, working through feelings of loss and adjustment – Mr Jones has experienced lots changes to their relationship.
I have another appointment at 10.30am so I complete my electronic records and make a couple of phone calls. I get a call from the reception to let me know my next client Miss White has arrived. It is a new referral so this will take up to two hours to assess and understand her needs. Miss White is struggling to care for her mother who lives with her and has a diagnosis of Lewy Body dementia.
I think I have the best job in the world, but it can be emotionally exhausting. I receive both managerial and clinical supervision from my manager. I also receive specific Admiral Nurse group clinical supervision with an independent facilitator provided by the Dementia UK as part of our practice development day. Clinical supervision provides an opportunity to talk through themes and reflect on some of the more complex cases.
I have worked within the mental health trust for 26 years; the last four of those years have been within my current role. During my career, I have been supported to study psychotherapy, mindfulness CBT, counselling and behavioural family therapy, I feel this addition to my original nurse registration has been hugely beneficial in my work.
Admiral Nurses are specialist mental health nurses who work clinically with families affected by dementia and particularly those with complex needs. We also provide consultancy in the form of teaching, education and raising the profile of dementia. I enjoy the mix of clinical and consultancy work, and although I am ambitious to progress within my career it is difficult to find a job that equals what I am doing now. I feel hugely privileged to have the opportunity to work with and be able to make a difference to the lives of the people I meet.
At 1.15pm, I leave the office to drive to the local university in Medway. I am going to talk to a first-year cohort of nursing students prior to their older adult placement. I present the Admiral Nurse role and talk about dementia. It is a lively group of students with lots of questions and some apprehensions. It is important that we are involved in this work to talk through common myths held about dementia and reduce some of the stigmas and fears.
I finish at the university at 4pm; my last appointment is with a lady whose husband has recently moved into residential care. She was his sole carer until his move and has struggled in making the decision. Mrs Smith developed some compulsive behaviour, and she hasn't visited her husband since he left the marital home. She is tearful but she agrees to accompany me on a visit to see her husband.
This evening I am meeting friends for supper, so once home I walk Monty. We have a few games of chase the stick before getting ready to go out. When I get home at around 10pm, I have a cup of tea and cuddle with Monty before going to bed … as I drift off to sleep, I think how lucky I am.
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