Respite Care, Short Term Care.
Holiday Breaks for those that Care For Others(Carers Needs)
RESPITE CARE: WHAT WE WILL DO.
There comes a time when many of us need extra help in our daily lives. We may be less sure on our feet, unable to take care of ourselves properly or perhaps become forgetful in a way that may cause our loved ones to become concerned.
We may have an illness or recently had an operation.We know we need help, though often we are reluctant to admit it particularly if it means going into a care home or spending one more day in hospital than is necessary. And of course we have our dignity, our privacy and proud independence. We know that no matter how frail or sick we become we will always be happier at home, but sometimes we must reluctantly accept help.
We can help you with respite care
For a short period of time we will look after you. We will provide you with nutritious food and even feed you if necessary.
We will provide you with Personal Care and pay special attention to your appearance so that you will feel better in yourself.
We will give you a place of safety and security for a short period of time where you can recharge your batteries and regain your strength to prepare yourself for your return to your home.
We will give you companionship and be a friend when you feel low or want to share a confidence.
We will ensure that you take your medicines regularly and call the doctor or district nurse when necessary and make sure that you get to any Hospital appointments.
We are happy to offer you Respite Care and help you with any Continence problems.
Respite Care is especially useful if your principle carer becomes unwell or needs a Holiday from caring to recharge their batteries. We can offer you Respite Care if you have sight problems or are hard of hearing.
Sometimes Respite Care can be useful for a period of assessment by statutory agencies such as Social services when domestic arrangements have broken down. Perhaps giving time for your doctor to treat you or a district nurse to help you before your return home with a package of care arranged by Social Services such as Home care and Meals on Wheels etc.
Sometimes people can benefit from Respite Care. Following a minor stroke (TIA) or experiencing mild dementia or memory loss perhaps Diabetes, Angina, Arthritis, Asthma, Epilepsy, Glaucoma, brittle bones, Heart disease, Cancer, Hip replacement. Etc.
Respite care is a useful tool enabling people who should normally continue to live in their own homes the opportunity to recover lost ground and recover their health with satisfactory outcomes.
Here at Mardon House Residential Home we can help you through a short period of Care to continue to live your life independently.
If you are interested in Respite Care please contact us for further details, we shall be pleased to discuss Respite Care without obligation.
Respite care, what the carer should do first.
Assessment of needs In order to see whether you qualify for help with caring, the first step is to contact your local authority and ask them to carry out an assessment, both of the person you care for and yourself. The social worker carrying out the assessment will consider the health and social care needs of the person that you are looking after, and what community care services are required to meet those needs. Unless you are able to pay for your care needs independently without subsidy.
Under the 2004 Carers Equal Opportunity Act, the local authority also has a legal responsibility to consider:
• your own health and wellbeing,
• Financial assessment Local authorities can make a charge for care services, but it will be subject to a means tested financial assessment.
Most services have a minimum charge (or no charge at all) and a maximum charge. The person receiving the care service will be asked to complete a financial assessment form, which will take into account any income and assets they may have. They should not be charged more than it is reasonable for them to pay. What sort of financial help is available? Vouchers Some local authorities provide vouchers which can be exchanged for services, such as those offered by care agencies, or residential homes.
Direct payment Alternatively, your local authority can make a direct payment to you, or the person you care for, which can be spent on care services from an appropriate individual, or agency. The direct payments allow you to organise the support that you need in a more flexible and personalised way. Direct payments can be made to:
• older people who have been assessed and need community care services,
• carers; the money can be used to buy services that support you in your caring role.
A person must have the sufficient mental capacity to manage the direct payment. They can however have assistance to manage the payment on a day-to-day basis. The local authority has a legal responsibility to provide a direct payment when the above criteria are met, but the person receiving the payment also has a responsibility to ensure that the money is spent in an appropriate way.
Your local council social services department will explain what the money can and cannot be spent on. You will need to discuss with the council how you intend to use your direct payments to arrange services. If you prefer to receive local council services to meet some of your needs, the council may agree to offer you a combination of direct payments and services. As direct payments are designed to help people live independent lives, they cannot be spent on permanent residential care.However, you may be able to use direct payments to pay for occasional short periods in residential accommodation i.e. Respite Care, if your local council agrees that it is in the best interest of the carer and the person they care for. Most councils will not allow a direct payment to be used to pay a relative, partner, or spouse (husband or wife).
CARERS NEEDS. Why is respite care important? Although it may be unpaid, caring for somebody can be a full-time job. And, like any job, you sometimes need to take a break. You may feel guilty, or apprehensive, about taking a break from the person you are looking after. However, it is important to remember that if you go too long without a proper break, you may become ill, anxious, or depressed, which can make life more difficult for you and the person you are caring for.
Assessment of needs In order to see whether you qualify for help with caring, the first step is to contact your local authority and ask them to carry out an assessment, both of the person you care for and yourself. The social worker carrying out the assessment will consider the health and social care needs of the person that you are looking after, and what community care services are required to meet those needs. Examples of respite care are listed below.
• Residential respite care - where the person you care for goes away to live and be looked after by somebody else for a while.
• Emergency respite care - care that is provided if you are unable to fulfil your caring responsibilities due to unforeseen circumstances, such as illness.