Caring for a loved one with dementia is a deeply rewarding yet demanding responsibility. Recognising the challenges that come with this responsibility, many carers benefit from regular respite breaks—a chance to recharge and avoid burnout. Beyond offering carers respite, these breaks provide individuals with dementia opportunities to socialise and connect with new people.
For over 75 years, Prestige Nursing & Care has been trusted by its clients and their families to provide competent and compassionate respite dementia care at home. Our care is focused on improving health and overall well-being, and all in the place people love most – their own home.
HOW CAN RESPITE CARE FOR DEMENTIA HELP?
Respite care supports family carers facing the complexities of providing their loved ones with the high-quality dementia care they need.
Specifically tailored to address the unique needs of people living with dementia, respite care offers immediate relief during emergency situations. Family carers can also proactively schedule respite visits to ensure they receive well-deserved breaks from their responsibilities.
There are many situations where our emergency respite services can provide support:
- Family Emergencies: Unforeseen events, such as the sudden hospitalisation of another family member or urgent family matters, may necessitate temporary support, especially crucial when providing specialised care for someone with dementia.
- Carer Burnout or Overwhelm: If you’re experiencing carer burnout or feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities, respite care provides a temporary break, allowing you to recharge and prevent carer fatigue.
- Sudden Deterioration in Care Recipient’s Health: In the event of a sudden deterioration in the health of the care recipient, emergency respite care ensures immediate and appropriate care while you address the situation.
- Unexpected Events Impacting Carer Availability: Any unforeseen events, such as accidents or emergencies, that impact your availability as the primary carer may warrant the assistance of emergency respite care. This can be especially helpful when caring for someone with dementia due to the unpredictable nature of the condition.
- Companionship and Alleviating Loneliness: Recognising the importance of companionship and addressing feelings of loneliness in people with dementia, respite care provides social interaction and emotional support during times when the primary carer cannot be present.
IS DEMENTIA CARE AT HOME PREFERABLE TO A CARE HOME?
We know through our experience supporting thousands of families across the country that there truly is no place like home to receive the dedicated dementia care you need. Respite care at home offers many advantages over care homes, including:
SPECIALIST DEMENTIA EXPERTISE
We adopt a bespoke approach to training that ensures our carers have the knowledge, skills and aptitude to deliver high-quality dementia home care. Our training addresses the behavioural and communication aspects associated with dementia, empowering our carers to manage and respond to challenging behaviours with empathy and skill.
PERSONALISED, ONE-TO-ONE CARE:
Respite care at home delivers exceptionally personalised one-to-one care and support at a level of individual attention that can be challenging to replicate in even the best residential care homes. The comfort of familiar surroundings is especially beneficial for people living with conditions such as dementia or Parkinson’s. In contrast to care homes that often have rigid schedules, choosing respite care at home empowers individuals to maintain choice and independence.
PEACE OF MIND FOR FAMILIES:
Families find reassurance in the knowledge that their loved ones are receiving essential dementia care and support within the security and familiarity of their own homes. Additionally, couples can stay together in the comforting environment of their home, sidestepping potential separation issues that may arise in a care home due to accommodation constraints.
HOME IS BEST FOR DEMENTIA CARE:
Choosing home care for dementia not only provides essential sensory stimulation but also fosters an environment where people with dementia can draw comfort from their cherished belongings and memories. The preservation of highly personal and deeply integrated routines is a pivotal element of dementia care, empowering those living with the condition to retain a sense of control over their lives.
COST-EFFECTIVE
Respite care at home proves to be very cost-effective when compared with the overall weekly fees associated with receiving care in other residential care settings. Beyond the financial aspect, it ensures highly personalised one-to-one support, a level of bespoke care that may not be as achievable in residential care settings.
OVERCOMING COMMON CONCERNS
Many family carer have concerns about leaving their loved ones in the hands of a professional carer. Embracing respite care for dementia is accompanied by some common concerns, but proactive steps can help you overcome these apprehensions:
- Cost considerations: You may be concerned about the financial costs of dementia care. There is funding available to help cover the costs of care, including healthcare funding and social care funding.
- Guilt: Taking a break from your caregiving duties is not a sign of neglect but a crucial step to ensure you can rest and recharge. Seek emotional support from friends, family, or support groups to navigate their feelings and understand that prioritising self-care contributes to better care for your loved one.
- Reliability: Prioritise respite care providers with reputable track records and positive reviews. Conduct thorough research, request references, and look for providers with experience in dementia care.
- Quality of care provided: Choose respite care providers with favourable Care Quality Commission (CQC) ratings in England. The CQC assesses and monitors health and social care services in England, offering valuable insights into the quality and safety of care. Review CQC reports here. The Care Inspectorate (CI) is the national regulator for care in Scotland. Read CI reports here.
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN OUR RESPITE CARE SERVICE?
OUR APPROACH TO RESPITE CARE FOR DEMENTIA
At Prestige Nursing & Care, our respite care for dementia is designed to create an environment where your loved one can experience joy and fulfilment while remaining in the safety and familiarity of their own home. Guided by your preferences and tailored to the specific needs of your loved one, our dementia respite care empowers you to shape the support according to your preferred lifestyle.
Our person-centred approach to dementia respite care ensures that our dedicated team truly understands the unique qualities that define your loved one as an individual. We prioritise your contentment and fulfilment while respecting all your choices and preferences. Our proven approach minimises the reliance on antipsychotic medications commonly used in care homes and reduces the likelihood of hospital admissions.
We know through our experience of providing dementia care how important it is to have a healthy lifestyle, as this can help slow the progression of dementia. Our encouraging carers will ensure your loved one has a balanced and healthy diet and stays physically active and mentally stimulated to retain skills and abilities.
We work collaboratively with our clients and their families to develop a thorough care and support plan that accurately reflects a person’s holistic needs. We also adopt a partnership approach to working with local authority partners, NHS services, multidisciplinary teams, therapists and other community bodies involved in a person’s care. This means we are well-informed and can provide continuity of care, ensuring the right support is in place at the right time.
WHY CHOOSE PRESTIGE NURSING & CARE HELP?
A FULLY MANAGED SERVICE
Prestige Nursing & Care is not an introductory agency. Unlike a home care agency, we are a fully managed and regulated complex care provider. This means our clients and professional partners can be reassured that the care and support we provide are of the very highest quality.
CQC REGULATED CARE
Unlike introductory agencies, our service is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), England’s independent regulator of health and social care. We are proud that 96% of our inspected services are rated as providing a ‘Good’ service, with 4% rated ‘Outstanding’. All our services in Scotland have been awarded a 3+ rating.
CARE IN PLACE QUICKLY
We know families often need a trusted carer to look after their loved ones during emergency situations. Our responsive team makes arranging emergency respite care straightforward and easy. We can quickly arrange and deliver the high-quality, compassionate care your family needs, often within 24 hours.
RIGOURS RECRUITMENT & TRAINING PROCESS
Our commitment to excellence starts with our care team. Our rigorous recruitment process ensures only the most qualified and dedicated individuals join our team. Our carers undergo comprehensive training to ensure they possess the skills, knowledge, and compassion required to provide exceptional care. All of our carers have at least six months of care or health sector experience before being placed with a client or community partner.
COMPLEX & SPECIALIST CARE
Our service is nurse-led and our carers are expertly trained to provide care for complex, terminal and other medical conditions. They are supported by a registered home nurse who provides unrivalled monitoring and supervision of our clinical care. With this leadership and oversight, carers can perform many delegated healthcare tasks and interventions at home.
THE COST OF RESPITE CARE FOR DEMENTIA
The cost of dementia care is dependent on the level of care and support you require. If you receive our hourly dementia care, the overall cost will be determined by the number of visits and frequency of visits to you at home. Our experts will conduct a comprehensive assessment of your needs at your home, or in hospital if you are awaiting discharge, to truly understand what you need and therefore how much dementia care at home will cost.
Learn more about paying for your care.
ARRANGE RESPITE CARE FOR DEMENTIA
We are here to help you and your family every step of the way. You can call us on 0808 239 1525 and one of our friendly care advisors will provide information, guidance and advice on your care options.
We offer a free home consultation at no obligation to you. One of our Care Advisors will meet with you and your family to discuss how Prestige Nursing & Care can provide the high-quality respite care for dementia your family needs.
