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

example, many services provided for people with learning disabilities may be
useful for people with dementia, including developing small circles of care with
volunteers in the local community. Rehabilitation and reablement are also
possible features of short break services. Fife Council and NHS Fife must
work in partnership with independent providers to explore and develop a
spectrum of such models of care which can be stepped up or stepped down
based on the individual needs of service users.
In order to provide proper care, activities and programmes must be built
around the individual. Activities completed in day and overnight care must be
suitable and stimulating for all service users, including people with dementia,
and satisfy their social, cultural, religious and recreational interests and needs.
Research has shown that activities that centre around the person’s normal
daily life and events, such as preparing a meal, and visiting a local shop or a
familiar sight, improves the service users quality of life, affecting mortality,
depression, physical function and behavioural symptoms for people with
dementia, and improving self esteem and sense of identity 48 .
Much like the case highlighted in the recent report Remember, I’m Still Me 49 ,
activities for people on short breaks are centred on those completed indoors
and in groups. People have an expectation and a right to meaningful activity
which is an integral part of their care and not an ‘optional extra’ 50 . All service
users are to be given a role in selecting and planning activities where
appropriate, and are supported to take part in activities outside of their normal
care environment to encourage activity and engagement in the local
community.
All short break services will be supported by an activities coordinator who has
specific knowledge and training on activities for people with dementia. Short
break services and the activities employed within them will focus on reabling
and developing service users wherever possible, and maintaining skills and
functionality.
We don’t plan anything, we discuss things and we have ideas. As for us
putting it in a diary… that might not work…it depends on staff, it depends
on transport, it depends on the clients ourselves because we change our
minds… we all compromise… we can do things this way because of the
small group. (Service user with dementia)
Well, sometimes you come in [to respite] and you sit and look at one
another… I need something more, I need to be occupied, I’ve always been
wanting to be occupied and even though I am sitting in this [wheelchair] I
still feel I can do it. (Service User)
48 SIGN 86 (2006).
49 Care Commission & Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland (2009). Remember, I’m Still
Me
50 Ibid
65