Service Description: This service helps people to find out more about being a Carer and what support is available for Carers on the Island.
Also known as:- Adult Carers, Carer, Carers
Answer: Care at home • Friends, relatives, local church or community groups may be able to provide short periods of respite care and although you may not like to ask, many of your closest friends and relatives will probably be only too pleased to help out. • Homecare services on the Island can provide help to the person you care for at certain times of the day and be a much needed “different face” around the house. • Homecare providers can also offer “sitting” services where a trained home carer can stay with the person you care for while you take a break. • Social services do provide a 2-hour a week free sitting service when no other such help is available. • A “boarding-in” scheme is available to provide respite care in a person’s own home with a 24-hour homecare cover to allow you to go away for several days. This is a very limited service provided when nothing else would be appropriate. Away from home • There are a variety of social clubs and lunch clubs around the Island. These can provide companionship, sometimes a meal, but no personal care. Some clubs are able to help with transport. • Day-care centres offer a range of activities as well as a chance to meet other people. They will usually be able to provide personal care too, and attendance can be arranged through social services. You can also approach some day-care providers direct but in either case there will be a charge. Some day-centres provide drop-in facilities so you can leave the person for whom you care, to be looked after for a few hours, at short notice. Residential based respite • Respite care in residential and nursing homes can be arranged by community services. This service is for those who need a break from caring at least three times a year. Short breaks are then provided at a flat rate minimum charge with no means test. The breaks are usually of one or two weeks’ duration. Ad hoc breaks can also be provided and a charge made following a means test. • As well as regular respite care social services can provide emergency care in a residential nursing home to relieve carers in crisis for up to two weeks. • Hospital admission is usually a last resort for those in serious medical need. Talk to your doctor if you think this is what the person you care for needs.