Respite for carers
In this section you will find information about respite services
for carers available in Perth and Kinross.
What is "respite"?
Respite means so many things to so many different people. In
Perth and Kinross we tend to define "respite" as something the
carers receive when they have time to themselves because those they
care for are being looked after, or supported, by someone
else.
We define a "short break" as being on holiday. We all need a
holiday now and again and people with disabilities (whether
learning or physical) should have the access to the
same opportunities.
As a result of discussions Perth and Kinross Council
provides respite in a number of different ways. It
was very clear that whatever break the carer received, they could
fully enjoy it if they knew that those they cared for were also
happy, enjoying themselves and well looked after. We have
developed a Short Breaks Bureau, specifically for people
with learning disabilities so that they can enjoy quality time
while away from their carers.
Why always spend money enabling cared-for people to go into a care
home while the carers have time to themselves? The same money could
buy some of those people an ordinary break in the community, which
they might enjoy so much more!
Care can be provided to the cared-for person, as a result of
that person having had a community care assessment. This can be
arranged with Perth and Kinross Access Team. They are available at
0845 30 111 20 and on e-mail AccessTeam@pkc.gov.uk.
Even when it is identified as a part of the support needs of the carer the cared for person
must have a community care assessment of their needs, to help the
people, providing the care, draw up an effective care plan.
Here are some of the different kinds of respite that are
provided in Perth and Kinross:
Respite at Home
Some people simply need some supervision because there are
concerns that they could put themselves in danger if left on their
own. For example, this could be because they have dementia.
Some of these people feel happier or more secure in well known
surroundings. It may be much easier to give a carer respite by
providing people to visit and care for the person in his/her own
home while the carer goes away. For staffing reasons this is
not usually available for long periods at a time, but can be
provided on a regular basis for a few hours each week or for a few
days.
Vouchers for respite care at home
The Vouchers for Respite Care at Home scheme offers carers the
chance to book a few hours of respite care in the cared-for
person's own home.
The care is provided by a local organisation that complies with all
regulations governing the provision of care. The scheme enables
carers to have a short break away from the home and time off from
their usual routine. They can use this time for anything they want,
e.g. to meet friends, attend a class, go to a concert, go shopping,
go out for a meal - activities that most people take for granted
but carers can find very difficult to arrange.
For more information read the flyer available to download from the
right-hand side of this page or contact the Access Team on 0845 30
111 20.
Residential respite
In many cases, cared-for people are willing to consider staying
in a Care Home while their carer is away.
There are three Care Homes run by the Perth and Kinross
Council:
List of other Care Homes located in Perth and
Kinross.
List of
residential opportunities across Scotland.
Flexi respite scheme
At present residential respite within Perth and Kinross Council Care Homes is
offered through what we call a flexi respite scheme. This means
that:
- You and the person you are caring for select the Home of your
choice.
- The person you are caring for, is offered a number of nights of
care at that home and the relevant manager will be in touch to make
arrangements for dates that suit you - subject to
availability.
You do not have to take all the nights in one go, but can use
them up gradually. For example the odd weekend or
when you are feeling under the weather and want to arrange a
break quickly to allow you to recuperate.
This allows you and the person you are caring for to get to know
the staff and residents in one home. This will usually give
you greater peace of mind.
Social Respite
By "social" respite we mean time for the carer to keep in touch
with other people in their lives. As a result of their caring
responsibilities carers gradually stop keeping in touch with their
friends and begin to drop their own interests and hobbies.
Remember, you can ask for help to go out to enjoy yourself as well
as for "duties" like shopping.
It is really important for carers to keep the other parts of
their life going and to keep up with their other social networks.
Perth and Kinross Council have appointed a number of Community
Support Workers. Part of their job is to spend quality time with
cared-for people so that carers can keep up with friends and
hobbies. This social respite is usually in hours, rather than
overnight, so that carers know they can go out for lunch with
a friend, or go bell-ringing or bowling etc, and just do something
they want to do, without worrying about the people they care
for.
This service is also available in the evenings and at
weekends.
