Some Advice Please

sallie

Registered User
Apr 24, 2007
9
0
Devon
Calling all carers

My father in law has Alzheimers and my mother in law finds going away on holiday now rather difficult. I therefore looked on the internet for somewhere for them to go away with support. The only place I came across was Vitalise. I have booked them into an Alzheimer's Week in October.

I started to look into whether I could set something up on a smaller scale. I have done alot of research, found a property and now want to know whether any one would come and stay before I make that final plunge. Many people have told me it is a much needed service but I need people to start knocking on my door!!

I am working at the moment as a Practice Nurse.

I am hoping to offer a sitting service if needed, as well as accompanied or unaccompanied trips out. I would take a maximum of 4 couples at a time. They could stay upto a week at a time.

I would like to find out if you think there is a demand for this sort of care and support. CSCI have told me i would not need to be registered

Any advice you can give me would be much appreciated.:)
 
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Charlyparly

Registered User
Nov 26, 2006
217
0
Lancashire

Hi,

I would have thought you will still be required to go through the same process as a day care centre / residential care home, although I'm not entirely sure.

The only advice I can give you is to get in touch with the Commission for Social Care Inspection and ask their advice.

The following link / address provides advice and guidance to care providers and those who wish to become a registered care provider.

www.csci.org.uk/professional/all_services.aspx

Sorry I can't be of more help - but good luck!

Charlyparly ;)
 

jenniferpa

Registered User
Jun 27, 2006
39,442
0
Hmm: I would imagine that there would be a demand for a "dementia-friendly" hotel. However, I do think you will encounter difficulties with the sitting part of the service. I supect that you would need to be licensed. However, ignoring that for the moment, a hotel/guest house that is familiar with the needs of dementia sufferers, and directly address those needs seems to be a worthwhile endeavour. One problem I can forsee though: carers are not a demographic that has a great deal of disposable income - you may not get enough people to earn a living. The one thing that is quite commonly raised when we discuss holidays on the board is the incontinence issue: how will a hotel react?
 

Skye

Registered User
Aug 29, 2006
17,000
0
SW Scotland
I've been trying to find a dementia-friendly hotel ot travel company for a while. There is plenty of provision for the physically disabled, but nothing for us, that I can find.

Incontinence is the biggest problem, and there would have to be laundry facilities and hard floors. Kylie sheets are great, but they take for ever to dry!

I mentioned this a while ago to a friend who runs a B&B locally, and she said the problem is, if she advertised as being dementia-friendly, it might put other visitors off, and there might not be enough dementia families to fill the gap.

Great idea if you can do it, though, Sallie. Put me on your mailing list!
 

Natashalou

Registered User
Mar 22, 2007
426
0
london
A few thoughts

sallie said:
I am wanting to set up a small guest house in Devon exclusively for people with dementia accompanied by their carers. I have personal experience of dementia as a family carer as well as being a Nurse ( I qualified in 1985)
I am hoping to offer a sitting service if needed, as well as accompanied or unaccompanied trips out.
I would like to find out if you think there is a demand for this sort of care and support. I would not be a nursing home.
Any advice you can give me would be much appreciated.:)

I have given this a great deal of thought. I think the economics may be a little tough unless perhaps you can get funding from somewhere for subsidized holidays? i know there is such a scheme to fund holidays for families where cash is short.
I think perhaps many families in the situation of caring at home , which I guess is perhaps your target market, are not particularly wealthy, and might have a problem in funding a holiday.
would it be worth rather than catering exclusivly for dementia sufferers and carers, you reserved some parts of the year for that market, and other times for mainstream holiday makers or another specialised group?
I personally couldnt use a service like yours as my mum would become even more confused away from a place she knows, but that may not apply to everyone.
Its a massive task and I wish you luck with it
 

soulsmilin

Registered User
Feb 13, 2007
43
0
52
Tyne and wear
worked with people with dissabilities on camps in america and see this venture as also available to other people with dissabilities, not sure of the legalities if you are abroard but you could possablilly also get local groups and care homes to come out of season to boost if not taking off quick enough, where i worked was very succsessful, good luck, would recommend that all your facilities were wheelchair friendly!!
 

sallie

Registered User
Apr 24, 2007
9
0
Devon
dementia guest house care

I think I have done alot of background research and every one has been very helpful. I have also been on the carers uk forum. I want to now launch in. As you say you do not know until you try. I have produced a web site. It is in its infancy so any comments welcome. I need to do a calendar still with prices.
it is:
[Edited by Bruce.
Sorry sallie, but the I have removed your web page url as the conditions of use of Talking Point preclude advertising. I know you are only asking for feedback, but the line betweek the two is one that we want to be on the safe side of.

If a member of TP wants to know more, please would you contact sallie by PM?
]

:)
 
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