DementiaRoadmap

Promoting living well with dementia across Scotland
Caring well → Short Breaks/Respite

Short Breaks/Respite

Short Breaks (also known as respite) is any form of service, activity, support, assistance and/or resource that enables carers to take a break from their caring role and responsibilities.

A Short Break could consist of a one off service or activity or it may take the form of regular breaks from caring.

Personalised, flexible short breaks can make a real difference for carers to support the caring relationship and promote the health and wellbeing of the carer, the cared for person and other family members affected by the caring situation.

Short Breaks can take any number of forms in order to achieve the carer’s desired outcomes. The delivery of short breaks may:

  • Be for short periods (a few hours) or extended periods (a few days).

  • Take place during the day or overnight.

  • Involve the cared for person having a break away from home, enabling the carer time for themselves.

  • Enable the carer to have a break away with replacement care in place if required.

  • Allow the carer and the cared for person to have a break together, providing a break from the demands of their daily caring routines.

Short breaks can be accessed from a variety of national and local agencies. If you are eligible for West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership you will be allocated a personal budget to meet your assessed needs and desired outcomes.

West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership promote an individual, creative, personalised, person centred approach to short breaks that will meet the individual needs of each carer (and the cared for person).

Examples of Short Breaks

  • Residential accommodation with social care support.

  • Replacement care at home by a care provider.

  • Holiday break for the carer.

  • Holiday break together.

  • Time out from your daily caring routine.

  • Funding for leisure and hobby activities.

Carers of West Dunbartonshire can also provide a number of opportunities for short breaks, including the Time For Me fund. Carers can apply for a personalised budget to use towards a break from their caring role. For more information, call 0141 941 1550.

Information
Services

Information

  • Help if you are a CarerThis website link provides information on the support you can get if you are an unpaid carer in Scotland.
  • Stress and DementiaInformation about the link between stress and dementia
  • Valued Carer CardCarers registered with Carers of West Dunbartonshire are entitled to a Valued Carer card. This will act as a form of identification, while also unlocking discounts, promotions and unique services provided by local businesses. Businesses and organisations supporting the Valued Carer project have the opportunity ...
  • CEA CardOnline information and application form for a cinema card
  • Grants and DiscountsOnline information on grants and discounts available to carers.
  • Eligibility Criteria for Adult ServicesEligibility Criteria for adult social care services in West Dunbartonshire including and easy read version.
  • National Carers Strategy: Easy ReadAn easy read copy of the Scottish National Carers Strategy.
  • My Life AssessmentHow to access support from West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care services
  • Turning up the volume: unheard voices of people with dementiaThis report published by the Alzheimer’s Society brings together views of more than 3,500 people with dementia, carers and the public on what it is like to live with dementia.

Services