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

Research and consultations with service users show that often the most
challenging parts of the day for carers of people with dementia is the early
morning/breakfast period and the late evening/supper period, and that often
the reason a carer is requesting a break is to attend an activity or event which
may be in the evening or on the weekend. These are all periods not covered
by a standard short day break service whereby individuals are commonly
picked up at 9-10am and returned home from 3-4pm, leaving the bulk of the
caring activities to the carer at home. Thus, in addition to direct access, and
in an effort to ease the burden of care on family carers, short break services
provided by the Council will be developed using more flexible models of
provision such as on weekends and in the evenings, and offer greater
flexibility in duration and location. Private providers of short break services will
be supported to develop similar models. In support of this goal an increase in
the availability of respite monies in Fife is currently being used to extend
flexible short break services for people with dementia which are highly
adaptable and responsive to the needs of the service user.
In addition to traditional models of short breaks provided in large groups in
centres as well as community based short break services discussed
previously, older people and people with dementia will be encouraged to
utilise local community groups and clubs. Such groups could play an
important role in preventing social isolation of both the person with dementia
and their carer, and are available in a wide variety of locations, unique in
duration and covering a range of topics. Dementia Advisors and other health
and social care providers will play a key role in facilitating the use of
community clubs and groups, and transport is a key to the successful
utilisation. For a discussion on transport see Section 4.7.5.
As well as greater flexibility, a review will be done on improving the continuity
of care through coordination of day services and overnight services. Wherever
possible people will be offered overnight care in the same location of their day
care, and staff will be expected to transition between the two to help people
with dementia adjust to their new environment.
Research shows that services targeted to people under 65 with dementia
often have additional activity options available including activities away from
the care centre, and improved transport arrangements to make the outings a
reality. Such options are not equally available to older people, and there is no
evidence to support or contrast the reason for such arrangements. This is the
case in Fife where a specialist short break service for people under the age of
65 with dementia has one staff for every three people with dementia,
compared to short break services for people over 65 where there is generally
one staff for every five to six service users.
There are alternate opportunities available for people affected by dementia in
Fife including short break services which are based in the home and
community of the service user often on a one to one basis. This model of care
is useful; however there are additional ways to deliver flexible services which
should be adapted for use with older people and people with dementia. For
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