Breadcrumb Trail
Respite Care for Adults
It is important for Carers to have a break from time to time. You may want to spend some time with friends, or simply put your feet up and relax. Carers also need to know what support is available if, for example, they need to go into hospital. Short breaks are often the answer and can be arranged inside or outside the home.
A break away from home offers a change in surroundings and the chance to meet new people and do different things. Although some Carers can be uncomfortable with the idea that the person they care for is separated from them a Short Break can be good for everyone.
Short Breaks are usually organised following an assessment but people can contact private homes directly if you or the cared for person are prepared to pay the full costs.
Carers can have 4 weeks off from caring in every six months without it affecting their Invalid Care Allowance.
Organisations Providing Short Breaks
Trafford and Stockport Crossroads Ltd
The Avenue Methodist Church
Wincham Road
Sale M33 4PL
Email: office@traffordcrossroads.org
Telephone: 0161 905 1986
Fax: 0161 905 1962
Provides trained Carer Support Workers to take over the role of the Carer for a short while, allowing the Carer to shop, go to the hairdresser, visit friends or relatives, just do nothing or go to bed to catch up on sleep. The service is free and confidential.
Referrals for Carers of people aged over 18 can be taken from anybody after they have received permission from the Carer. Crossroads then make an appointment to visit and an assessment is made of the needs of the Carer and the cared for person. A decision is taken about how, when and if Crossroads can help. If the service is to be used regularly, a Carer Support Worker is matched to the individual family and, as far as possible, it will always be the sane Carer Support Worker that visits the family.
Time Out for Carers Fund
Telephone: 0161 861 0101
Carers can apply for a grant up to £200 to enable them to have a break from their day-to-day caring situation. Available to carers of people over 65 and those caring for someone whose primary need is a health problem or physical disability and is over the age of 18. The Carers Centre also runs monthly social events to give carers a break from their caring role.
African Caribbean Mental Health Project
African Caribbean Mental Health Project
Broome House
54-56 Seymour Grove
Old Trafford
Manchester
Telephone: 0161 226 9562
Run days out and events to give carers a break from their caring role.
Making Space
Making Space
46 Allen Street
Warrington
WA2 7JB
Telephone: 01925 571 680
Offers residential weekend breaks for carers of people with mental health needs.
Private Organisations
There are several private agencies that employ sitters, care attendants and also qualified nurses. Information can be found in the Yellow Pages or the local paper.
You can approach these agencies direct if you or the person you are caring for are prepared to pay the full costs. Trafford Carers Centre produce a leaflet called "Choosing Care in Your Home" which contains useful questions to ask a private care agency.
Hiring Your Own Helper
You may decide to employ a competent person who has the skills to care for sick, disabled or frail people. The main points to consider are:
- How much can you pay?
- Can you get financial help?
- Job Description: Decide on the main tasks and duties that have to be performed. You may find thatdiscussion with professionals who have a special interest in the care for person's illness or disability will help you to identify any special skills required of the helper.
- Where to advertise. Would the local paper, the job centre, or a specialist newsletter be most appropriate?
- References. Make sure you take them up.
- Dealing with wages, tax and National Insurance. The local tax office can offer advice.
Hospices
Hospice care allows people whose illness is not longer curable to achieve the best quality of life. Staff are specially trained to advise on pain and symptom control and to give emotional support to patients, their loved ones and friends during the patient's illness and after bereavement. Hospice care can be provided at home, in a specialist hospice, in hospital or at a hospice day centre.
Rotating Care
A planned pattern of breaks (for example one week every 4 weeks) that is continuous throughout the year. The cared for person stays in a Residential Home and has an opportunity to take part in a range of activities including Bingo, arts and crafts, video nights and sing-alongs. Many of the homes organise trips to local places of interest, theatres, pantomimes, etc. If there is a trip during the cared for person's stay, he/she is welcome to join. Contact the Initial Assessment Team (IAT) on 912-5199 to arrange an assessment.
Below is a list of providers of Rotating Care:
Ascot House
Ascot Avenue
Sale
M33 4GT
Telephone: 0161 962 0996
Brookside
Sinderland Road
Altrincham
WA14 5JA
Telephone: 0161 928 9320
This page was last updated on 7 October 2008
Page content ends
