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

4.9 Short Breaks
AIM
Provide short breaks to people affected by dementia which are flexible,
accessible and tailored to the needs of the individual. Services must
include a wide range of short break options which are responsive to the needs
and preferences of the person with dementia and their carer, and are
accessible for all people living in Fife including those affected by dementia.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO ACHIEVE THIS
4.9.1 Develop the provision of short break services which meet the
needs of service users in regard to flexibility, accessibility, activity and
focus.
Traditional models of short breaks through either day or overnight care
provided in an institutional setting are still the predominant model of care
provision in Fife. This is likely the result of the still common view of short break
services being provided to relieve the main carer of their duties for a
temporary period. Although this is important, short break services must also
be recognised as an opportunity to improve the life of the person with
dementia through increased activity, and high quality care.
In order to develop more flexible and community centred models of short
breaks it is recommended that Fife Council Older People’s Service work with
the Adults Service Resource Team to develop and pilot alternate models of
community based short breaks for older people, including people with
dementia. In the Adults Service Resource Team carers are recruited through
community advertisement and offered the opportunity to provide day,
overnight or long term care within their own home. If, after extensive
interviews, training and assessment they are suitable for the role, they are
individually matched by a Social Worker with a service user who maintains
regular contact with both the service user and care worker. The service has
been developed in-line with the National Care Standards, has been very
successful in the matches it has made, and service managers report positive
feedback from all those involved.
Currently service users are left with little choice in terms of short break
options, and people with dementia are often more greatly restricted as they
may be prematurely labelled as unsuitable for a service due to their condition.
In some areas of Fife short break services are over-subscribed and individuals
are placed on a waiting list until a place opens up. The wait can vary
significantly from a matter of weeks to months or even a year. In an effort to
improve ease of access to short break services a direct access scheme has
been successfully piloted in the West of Fife, whereby service users and
carers can access Fife Council day care services by self-referring to the local
authority. The evaluation of the pilot is near conclusion and it is due to be
rolled out across Fife.
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