Everyone needs a change occasionally and to have some time for themselves whether it is for an hour, a day or a week.  This is especially so for carers and even more so if the person being cared for cannot be left along.

Breaks from caring;

• are not an admission of failure or saying you don't care
• are a sensible thing to do if you want to carry on caring
• may prevent you becoming exhausted or unwell
• will give the person you care for a break
• will help both you, and the person for whom you care, plan for times when you might be unable to care.

There are many ways in which a break can be arranged.

Carers Services

All carers may receive advice and support.  Carers who are entitled to a carer's assessment may, in some circumstances, be provided with services for themselves.  Carer's Project Managers can tell you more about carers services.

Services for the cared for person

Services may also be provided for the cared for person to enable the carer to take a break and/or to support the carer in the caring role.

How is this care arranged?

Social care services have a duty to assess the cared for person and having done this will then decide if the person is eligible for care services help and if the service needed can be provided locally.

Services for the cared for person are charged for.  However no charge will be made until an assessment is made of ability to pay.  Your savings and income as a carer are not taken into account.

There are several types and ways in which help is available:

• Emotional support
• Benefits advice

During the day:

• Extra Home care
• Crossroads care
• Attendance at a day centre
• Sitting Service
• Lunch Clubs

Or if you as a carer wanted to stay away overnight or have a break on your own in your own home:

• Care with a family break or link scheme carer
• Holiday type break
• Residential / Nursing home break
• Help to organise for the person you care for to stay with another relative or friend
• Paid care worker to stay in your home while you are away.

The type of care needed for the cared for person will be discussed with the assessor and should fit in with the lifestyle of the carer and the cared for person and give flexibility and choice.

If the carer does not want a carers assessment, services can still be provided to the cared for person to support the carer.