The Fife Dementia Strategy: 2010 – 2020 - The Knowledge Network

with service providers and carers in Fife a number of reasons for the low rates
of completion were identified:
• The Carers Assessment is not offered by the Service Provider. This may
be for a number of reasons such as the service provider does not see or
understand the benefits of the Carers Assessment due to a lack of
education or due to experience whereby services are not available to
meet identified needs, or the provider does not have time.
• Carer declines the assessment. This may be because the assessment
was offered at an inappropriate time or in an inappropriate manner, the
carer does not want to be assessed for fear they will be seen as ‘not
coping’, or the carer does not understand the reason for the assessment.
In order to be an effective tool the Carers Assessments must be provided
using a person centred approach. The reason for and benefits of the
assessment must be fully explained and understood, and carers given the
option to participate. The Carers Assessment should not be a one-off
opportunity; the offer should stand, and be re-iterated when appropriate to
ensure the carer has full rights and access to services and support.
Each person that cares for someone in the community has unique needs
which should be assessed, met and reviewed using the Carers Assessment.
This is particularly true for carers of people with dementia as the progressive
nature of the condition means that not only with the needs of the individual
with dementia change over time, so will the needs of the carer.
Following the Carers Assessment it is necessary that services are identified to
meet the carer’s needs, and that these are accessible and appropriate as
deemed by the carer. Consultations with service users and providers
demonstrate that this is not currently the case and that often there is a lack of
available support for carers.
Despite the lack of use of the Carers Assessment, it is accepted that the
needs of the carers are considered during needs assessments and the
development of care plans. However, it is not uncommon that the needs and
wishes of the carer conflict with the person with dementia making it difficult to
determine appropriate services and care pathways. In these cases it is
essential that staff are able to communicate effectively with everyone
involved, and where necessary ensure service users have access to relevant
information and advocacy options.
Short break services are an important way of supporting people with dementia
and their carers to remain in their home in the community. When a variety of
models are available and are utilised properly they can offer benefits to both
the person with dementia and the carer through the provision of a safe,
person centred environment for the person with dementia while allowing the
carer to take a break from the daily tasks involved in their role. Short break
services should be considered as a model of anticipatory care as the benefits
that do exist for people with dementia and their carers, including the
prevention or delay of institutionalisation, are most likely to occur in those who
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