Social Time and Holidays
- for both the cared for and their Carer
TAKING A BREAK, OR A HOLIDAY
Finding alternative care to get a break or arrange a holiday is rarely easy, but it can make all the difference to your ability to carry on. Even if you don't feel you need a break at the moment, situations can change quite quickly and it is useful to know what is available and who to contact.
Holidays for the person you care for
The availability of suitable holiday accommodation will depend very much upon the level of disability of the person you care for. A number of organisations, including the Red Cross and Winged Fellowship provide holidays for people with disabilities. They can sometimes provide care aides and assistance with paying for the holiday.
A holiday together
Organisations such as Holiday Care Services, Radar and Tripscope can provide much useful information on planning a holiday. The Derbyshire Coalition for Inclusive Living also have information which will be of use to you when planning holidays and day trips. This includes information about hotels which will provide limited nursing care or help with your other particular needs to allow you to go out on your own for a while. DCIL will also have information on other accommodation which is suitable for disabled people. In addition a number of commercial holiday companies include some accessible accommodation in their brochures.
The Kiloran Trust in London offer breaks for Carers and the AA and a number of similar organisations publish guides on holiday, facilities for people with disabilities both for the UK and abroad, and local Tourist Information Centres will provide information for their own area. You can contact the Tourist Information centre in advance of your visit.
It may be difficult to find somewhere that you both feel happy with, particularly if the person you care for has very specialist needs. Some Residential Homes, particularly in recognised holiday areas offer holiday facilities and short breaks. This would allow you to take a break in the same holiday resort in the same or different accommodation.
Don't give up looking, as only by continually being asked to provide facilities will holiday organisations and the Statutory Authorities begin to recognise the extent of the need. If you find good facilities do let Your Area Co-ordinator know, so that others may benefit.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE CARER
Many Carers find it is important to maintain contact with others. There are a large number of clubs and societies around the county that cover a wide range of hobbies and interests. A good place to find out about these is your local library. Information on evening classes is also available from schools and colleges which run them and from the adult education section of your Local Education Authority.
DCA have Carers Support Groups who arrange meetings and days out for Carers.
You may not wish at this time to become involved in an organised pastime or hobby. If this is the case still take some time for yourself - go to the pictures or window shopping. Go for a walk, read a book or paint a picture. It may be that you have not been involved in social activities outside of the home for some time and now are finding it very difficult not only to know where to go and what to do, but also difficult to take that first step. Please get in touch with your local Area Co-ordinator. They may be able to help you to take that first step, or put in touch with someone else who can help you.
How about volunteering?
There are always a large number of local organisations who will be pleased for you to offer your services as a volunteer - including Derbyshire Carers Association! We have a growing group of volunteers doing a variety of tasks from admin, to the facilitation of Support Groups, helping at other meetings and compiling this website! Carers volunteer to be representatives on our Management Committee and even represent us at special events and lectures to students. Many of the volunteers meet together as a group to discuss their needs and objectives.
Other organisations that use volunteers can often be accessed through the local Volunteer Bureau.
CARE IN THE HOME
Sitting services
These will provide companionship and a watchful eye, allowing some Carers a few hours break each week. Many of the schemes are voluntary and are run by trained volunteers or paid workers, and the service is free. Sitters do not have to be medically qualified, and provision will vary from area to area depending on availability of funding and volunteers. There are also commercial sitting services, who will provide this service at a price which will be lower than that charged for nursing and personal care.
Relief care
These schemes will provide trained staff who offer personal care and if necessary nursing care. Many of these are provided by private companies, who charge an hourly rate depending on the level of care needed. Very occasionally this type of care is available from voluntary or statutory sources.
Night services and living in help. Provided by the same types of organisation as above. Again you may have to pay for this care privately.
CARE AWAY FROM HOME
Day care for children and young people.
This is usually provided in special schools, or special courses at colleges. There are also some holiday schemes during school holidays. Your local Area Co-ordinator can give you information about what is available in your area.
Day care for adults
This is normally available through Social Services although several other organisations also provide facilities for particular groups in some areas. Provision is based at day centres, sheltered workshops and sonic college courses. A number of organisations organise lunch clubs for elderly and frail and otherwise disadvantaged people.
Respite Care
In many cases relief care or respite care in a residential home, hospital, hostel, nursing home or hospice, or with another family, may be an option if you want a break away from your caring responsibilities either to give yourself a rest or because you have other responsibilities or are ill yourself. Respite care can be for only two hours or even two weeks, but this type of break is very important if Carers are to carry on coping. In some cases respite care can be arranged on a regular basis to provide the Carer with a short break every few weeks or months. Respite places are very limited so you will need to make arrangements well in advance. Provision can be made at short notice if necessary in cases of genuine emergency.
Respite care can be arranged through Social Services, who will be able to give you advise on what is available and what help is available with the costs. Where they arrange respite care some payment may have to be made towards the costs. If you make your own arrangements with a private home or hospital you will almost certainly have to pay the full costs. Respite care in a NHS hospital is arranged through the GP or consultant.
Please remember, if you feel the person you care for needs respite care so that you can keep going, keep asking. Ask your Area Co-ordinator to help you arrange this.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE PERSON YOU CARE FOR
Many Carers find one of their main difficulties is preventing the person they care for becoming bored and frustrated with their inability to get out and about. There are a number of social groups and activities available to people with many different abilities that will help to maintain a person's interest in life, as well as providing the opportunity to meet other people in similar situations.
If both you and the person you care for can pursue some form of independent social life it can provide you with a welcome break, as well as providing a fresh topic of conversation when you are together.
Day Centres
These generally provide a mix of social and recreational activities. They are run either by Social Services or by one of a number of' Voluntary Organisations.
Sheltered workshops
There are various options available to enable people with disabilities to gain work experience or further education and this need not necessarily be geared towards employment.
Leisure opportunities
The availability of' these activities varies considerably from area to area. They can include: angling, riding, swimming. PHAB clubs (for disabled and able bodied people) and other youth clubs. Increasingly, more and more mainstream activities become available to people with various disabilities as facilities become accessible. Some cinemas and theatres now have loop systems and access (although usually limited) for wheelchair users.
Adult education
Some adult education courses, and some venues, are suitable for people with disabilities, as are a number of courses held during the day at schools and further education centres. Special assistance may be available from staff, and for people with learning disabilities a learning partner can be sought to allow their participation. Please contact your Local Education Authority for details.
Home based activities
A number of organisations run home based learning schemes at all levels of ability. National newspapers and many books are available on tape, and libraries stock a wide range of large print books.
In addition to the above, there are a large number of groups and organisations catering for very many interests which whilst not specifically catering for or having any special facilities for people with disabilities, may also be very willing to accommodate the large number of people with disabilities who's interests and needs are not met by special groups.
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