Respite at Home
Respite Care doesn't have to be offered in a care home, it can mean putting arrangements in place for care to be provided in the person with dementia’s own home, so that the main carer can take a break, for anything from an hour to a week or more. Respite doesn't have to be only an occasional thing; it may mean increasing care provision so that the main carer can get out of the house every day, or attend a group once a week, for example. The care can be offered by family members, friends or professional carers.
Try to accept any offers of help from friends and family as much as possible, even if it seems unnecessary in the early stages of dementia. The more involved friends and family can be, the easier it will be for them to spend time with the person with dementia. If the main carer refuses early offers of help they may find that friends and family do not feel confident to relieve them of responsibility from time to time as dementia progresses.
Guideposts can offer a sitting service for carers, so that they can attend appointments, go out socially or attend a support group knowing that their cared for person will be safe and well.
Live in Carers
It may be possible to have a home care provider who lives with the person with dementia in their home. This can be a good alternative to going into a residential care home as there is less disruption for the person with dementia and the house is kept occupied. The United Kingdom Home Care Association can provide information about live-in carers.
