The number of patients who are diagnosed with dementia is increasing. There is a corresponding increase in the number of family caregivers who are looking after patients at home. Temporary respite care for dementia patients can provide the caregiver with the opportunity to recharge and return to caring. It reduces the risk of burnout.
Dementia is increasingly prevalent in London, with a rate of 4.2% of the population that are over 65. Some London boroughs have a lower rate of dementia. The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea has a rate of 3.6%. Hammersmith & Fulham has a rate of 3.5%, the second lowest after Newham (estimated at 3.2%), where Jothno Care & Support are based. Enfield at the other end of the scale has a dementia rate of over 5% and Camden an estimated 4.8% (NHS, 2021).
Healthcare professionals in these London boroughs are key to facilitating access to respite services for families and carers. The patients’ families do not usually know where to turn to when they are burnt out from caring over the long term.
What is respite care?
Respite care provides a temporary respite from caring for the family and friends of dementia patients. Carers can provide care in the patients’ own home and care can include personal care, safeguarding, medication management, and housekeeping services.
This allows the family caregiver to step back from caregiving while knowing that their relative is safely looked after. It can reduce burnout and improve the quality of the care provided to the patient.
Types of respite care available in London
In-home care – this is temporary care provided in the patients’ own home. Jothno Care can support a patient with daily activities, provide companionship, and accompany them when they go out. This provides them with social engagement.
Day care centres – day care centres provide structured daytime support and social interaction in a safe environment. Jothno carers can accompany a patient to the day care centre.
Residential care – this is a short term stay in a care home with 24-hour supervision and specialised nursing care. The disadvantage to residential care is the disruption caused to the patient, which can cause confusion.
Live in care – Jothno carers can live in the home for a set period. A team of carers can be rotated for longer periods of respite care to provide 24-hour supervision. The live in service is typically booked after a hospital discharge or when a family caregiver goes away. They might be on holiday or be going into hospital themselves.
Emergency cover – respite care can be put into place quickly and professionally by Jothno Care when it is needed for urgent care.
Referral pathways and assessment
A formal needs assessment is the first step to getting the dementia patient the respite care that they need. It also assesses whether they are eligible for government funding to cover the costs. Needs assessments are carried out by the borough councils. They may work together with the multidisciplinary team: GPs, community nurses, and/or local dementia organisations.
Jothno Care & Support accepts referrals for respite care from individuals, their families, and health professionals. Use our referral form to make referrals for dementia patients.
Person-centred and holistic approaches
Tailoring care to meet the individual needs, preferences and routines is essential to successful respite care placement. Jothno Care & Support are experienced at personalising care plans to the individual family.
We involve family members and caregivers in care planning to ensure continuity during handover from the caregiver to our carers. By providing care at home the dementia patient benefits from the familiarity of their surroundings.
Our care plans are specific to each situation. We are cognisant of the need for cultural awareness in a diverse society, such as the one that exists in our area of London. For example, we accompany a South Asian patient to Gurdwara and celebrate holidays like Diwali and Ramadan with them.
Keeping patients active and engaged with cognitive stimulation is an important part of our care plans, even when we are providing temporary care, and it is encouraged for dementia patients.
Benefits of respite care
- For dementia patients the benefit of respite care at home is the continuity of care – they continue to be well looked after and they are in familiar surroundings. Home care can provide social interaction and mental stimulation.
- For family caregivers the primary benefit of respite care is the time to recharge while still reassured that the patient is well looked after, and receiving high quality care at home. This reduces their stress levels and can prevent burnout.
We can arrange a seamless transition between carers so that the dementia patient has the least amount of disruption in their routine. Jothno Care & Support have experience in placing trained dementia carers into temporary care situations.
Our carers are trained to handle challenging behaviours. They are dementia aware, friendly and professional. This is reassuring to patients who may be confused and upset when their circumstances change.
Respite care for dementia patients
Dementia patients can be referred to Jothno Care & Support by health professionals for respite care in their own homes. This can temporarily relieve a family caregiver, while at the same time reassuring them that the patient will receive high quality care and remain in familiar surroundings.
Our care team would be pleased to discuss a case with you if there is a specific requirement. Our respite care plans are tailored and personalised to each individual’s needs and a smooth transition into care can be arranged quickly and professionally.