Summary
Our post-covid breaks delivered 24hr carer respite over a specified time and took place in the comfort of their own home. All care was provided by our skilled and experienced Support Worker team. Carers benefited from a break, enjoying activities while their loved one was safe and being cared for.
What Post Covid Breaks did
We delivered a number of Short Breaks, consisting of 24/7 hour support, normally 4 days and 3 nights. The Support Workers lived in the home, undertaking the tasks that the carer does for their loved one. Making sure the cared for was looked after in a way that at least equated with what they were used to. If they required personal care this was carried out by our support worker team. Staff supported the cared for with any of their own activities – e.g. gardening, shopping, cooking and baking, reading books/newspapers or singing familiar songs.
Those who benefited from the Short Breaks were firstly identified through our current client list. They received an information letter about the Short Breaks and a booking form if they wished to benefit. We also offered our Short Breaks to those who were not currently on our records. Beneficiaries were identified through Social Media pages and we also advertised to our local Community Care Forum and local Social Work team.
In helping to make this project a success, we ensured staff were informed about the Short Breaks and what was involved. With each individual Short Break carried out, meetings were held with the staff involved to ensure all relevant information was passed on, what was expected during the time of the short break and the needs of the cared for.
Partnership working was an integral part of our project. We worked closely with local community care and social work to ensure our project identified the need in our community for respite at home.
All Short Breaks differed from one another because we personalised our breaks by including the carers and the cared for in the planning and decision making of each break. We added value by identifying a gap in home respite services through our local authority, supporting those who were most in need or carer respite. Feedback was important to us and carer questionnaires provided knowledge and understanding of how we can best support carers and cared for.
One of our successes included allowing a carer to have a family holiday on the mainland. This would not have been possible without the Short Break due to lack of availability in respite services due to high demand.
What Crossroads Lewis has learned
Our Short Breaks project was a great success but we learned from delivering this project:
- Originally, we targeted those who were already part of our service to offer a Short Break. Although we also supported those outwith our service, we in future would network and signpost to other professionals about the Short Breaks available. This would mean targeting people who did not access other services for support.
- Our Short Breaks covered a large geographical area. We learned that this could sometimes impact on the availability of support workers to cover the Short Break if they lived remotely on the island. However, we did support a number of families who lived in outlined areas of our island.
- The project planning took up a lot of time in preparation for Short Breaks. We learned that some information could be better collated, saving time and paperwork made more streamlined.
How Crossroads Lewis has benefitted from the funding
The funding and support from Short Breaks fund has benefited our service immensely. It has strengthened our organization's reputation by word of mouth in our community. Living on an Island and supporting people in local communities, people know each other, and families talk to one another. It also assisted families to have a much-needed break from their caring role and to attend various family events.
We learned more about the caring role as a whole. Crossroads mainly support through day respite but we now have more knowledge of 24/7 and overnight care and working together with different agencies involved in a person's care.
Project Outcomes
Outcome
Carers are more relaxed and that their own mental and physical heath is improved. Carers will feel valued and better equipped to continue in their caring role. Taking a break will remind them that there is life outside their caring role and that taking a break can have important health benefits.
Results
Our target in achieving this outcome was to deliver 24/7 care support, enabling carers to take a much needed break. We also hoped the cared for would receive the same ongoing care, allowing them to remain at home whiles their carers take a break.
How was this project outcome achieved? We measured success by issuing a questionnaire following each break, having dialogue with service users and feedback from our support worker team.
Case study
A carer who was caring for their partner 24/7, requested a short break due to feeling exhausted in her caring role. She had limited support so was in need of a break away.
Crossroads provided a Short Break of 4 nights and 5 days. During this time, our Support Worker's lived in the home while the carer was able to off island and enjoy a break away with a friend.
Following the short break, the carer is refreshed and equipped to continue her caring role. This enabled the service user to remain in their own home during this time. There was less disruption to both carer and service user.
Outcome
Carers will feel better supported to sustain their caring role. The carer will feel refreshed and valued and this will increase their confidence in their caring role.
Results
Our target in achieving this outcome was to deliver 24/7 care support, enabling carers to take a much needed break. We also hoped the cared for would receive the same ongoing care, allowing them to remain at home whiles their carers take a break.
Case study
The carer enjoyed travelling off island during the Short Break. She was able to meet a friend who she had not seen for a long time. This would not have been possible without Crossroads Support Worker's living in the home with the Service User 24/7. The carer was able to relax and not worry about leaving their loved one.
Outcome
Carers and the people they care for will have improved wellbeing. More carers will feel supported, less isolated, more refreshed and equipped – overall wellbeing is improved.
Results
Our target in achieving this outcome was to deliver 24/7 care support, enabling carers to take a much needed break. We also hoped the cared for would receive the same ongoing care, allowing them to remain at home whiles their carers take a break.
Case study
The service user enjoyed the variety of Support Worker's that visited during the Short Break. The carer felt supported in her caring role and trusted those who were looking after her loved one.
Being able to socialise with others was important to the carer and meant she was less isolated.