Hand deliver a pack and chat to staff
Taking in an information pack and chatting to staff is quick, easy and effective. It will work well whether it is the only activity you do or you do it to reinforce other activities.
What to do
Next time you plan to pass by or go to your GP’s surgery, take a copy of ‘It All Adds Up’ with you. Talk about it to the person on reception, to a nurse or doctor, or ask to see the practice manager.
The conversation could come up very naturally during the course of an appointment. For example, if you are accompanying an older deafblind person or if your caring responsibilities affect your health.
To have impact
- Plan what it is you want to say. Decide on a couple of key points you want to make. Don’t try to say everything.
- Ask if you can give them a pack of information about working with older people who do not see or hear well. Explain that support is available that can improve deafblind older people’s quality of life and that the information pack makes it easier for primary. healthcare providers to refer deafblind older people for this support.
- Tell them why it is important to you that older deafblind people get the support they need. For example, if you have a relative who is an older deafblind person, tell them about their experience and how support has helped or would help. Personal stories bring the issue to life and motivate people to take action. (If you don’t have personal experience, you can use one of the case studies from the ‘It All Adds Up’ pack to illustrate what you are saying.)
- If there’s a leaflet or poster that you think is particularly useful, briefly show it to them as an example of what the pack includes.
- Offer to come back another time to talk to staff in more detail. Only do this if you are happy to go back.
Keep your conversation brief; staff at GP surgeries are busy.
