Guesthouses for people with dementia

[Isabella41]

I sit on our local Health Trust as the Carer's rep. We are currently looking at respite arrangements. The issue of places where carers could go and take their loved with one with them but have them cared for while they were there was raised.

I seem to recall a thread on here some time ago where someone was talking about specialist guesthouses who cared for the dementia sufferer alongside their relative so that although the carer and caree were together the carer was still able to get a break as the caree was taken care for a large portion of the time each day.

My colleagues around the table were very interested in this approach as we have nothing like it in Northern Ireland.

Does anyone recall this being discussed and if so can you fill in the blanks for me so we can investigate it further.

many thanks

Isabella

 

[loveahug]

There is this section from the AS magazine:

http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=1891&pageNumber=6

 

[lin1]

Hi
Yes I remember such a thread , I cant remember who posted it but it was sometime ago maybe early last year I
I will have a search but I dont hold out much hope of finding it

 

[lin1]

There is this section from the AS magazine:

http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=1891&pageNumber=6

You beat me to it

 

[Big Effort]

Holiday break in France

Hi Isabella,
This is a bit off track...... but you may be able to give me some input.

My husband and I are restoring a nice, stone house here in France. Our plan was to let it out full time to a single person or couple. Then it crossed my mind that carers might like a stint, a holiday abroad, where they can bring their caree too.... and as I have a background in dementia caring, I could possibly help out if there were language issues, medical problems, transport issues or who knows what.

Would there be interest in something like this? Would anyone like to get away for awhile? Or should be revert to plan A and just let it out?

Thoughts and feedback most welcome. BE

 

[SisterAct]

Hi Isabella
When we needed a break we did look at some of those mentioned in the link (they sounded great) but the holiday for carer and caree does cost money and some people would not be able to afford this.
if this was funded or even partially funded then that would enable more carers to have the break that they deserve
Don't remember seeing a post about guest houses though....will look.

Polly x

Brilliant that you are even considering it

 

[SisterAct]

Hi Isabella,
This is a bit off track...... but you may be able to give me some input.

My husband and I are restoring a nice, stone house here in France. Our plan was to let it out full time to a single person or couple. Then it crossed my mind that carers might like a stint, a holiday abroad, where they can bring their caree too.... and as I have a background in dementia caring, I could possibly help out if there were language issues, medical problems, transport issues or who knows what.

Would there be interest in something like this? Would anyone like to get away for awhile? Or should be revert to plan A and just let it out?

Thoughts and feedback most welcome. BE

Hi BE
What a thoughtful idea.
I think you need to think about the caree and of course yourself for the revenue. I am sure that there are plenty of people out there who would love the break, Barb and I would have jumped at the chance.
I think a lot also depends on what stage their caree is at. In early stages Dad would have gone anywhere with us but in his late stage Dad did not:-
Want to go on holiday anymore
Would not have enjoyed the journey
Who knows when a UTI or chest infection rose its ugly head
Why would he go on holiday with strangers (his daughters!)
Would not move away from his GP
Had mobility issues.

Perhaps you could trial it for a year (if that is feasible) to see what the reaction is like.
Just a few thoughts as the the only predictable thing about a caree with dementia is that they are unpredictable.
Polly x

 

[jenniferpa]

There have been a few threads about this sort of thing

http://forum.alzheimers.org.uk/showthread.php?45112-Holidays-for-people-with-dementia-and-carers

http://forum.alzheimers.org.uk/showthread.php?35821-Respite-care-with-dementia-sufferer-wife

http://forum.alzheimers.org.uk/show...-find-a-holiday-let-suitable-for-my-mum-and-I

The last one has a link which no longer works. And the new gov.uk site does not have this information as far as I can see.

However the information is still available (at this time) through this link to the National Archives

 

[CollegeGirl]

Hi Isabella

My dad was given the names of a guest house and a lodge-type holiday park that offer respite breaks for sufferers and carers, both in North Yorkshire. I'll PM you the details.

CG

 

[susana53]

I remember reading about someone in the south that had a bungalow and offered this service. I'll have a delve and see what I can find.