Short Break Stories

Creative Breaks

A story by Arden House Projects

We provided support to carers who looked after family and friends with dementia and the elderly frail in the Levenmouth area. We helped by providing day care and short breaks to cares. We also offered support to carers by having event days and invited them into Arden House to help elevate the stress they felt.

What Creative Breaks did

We offered short respite breaks to carers and support to carers through an information café, which allowed them to source infromation from Arden House.

We worked with carers on a one to one basis to provide tailor made respite breaks as well as support the caring situation.

We advertised by using our administrator service and informed carers through letters and flyers what we had planned to help them

Mrs X cared for Mrs Y without help or support for many years and was at crisis point. Mrs X cared For Mrs Y who was a neighbour and felt very much alone she spoke to a friend who advised her to contact Arden House and ask for help . We supported this lady in her caring role and then offered Mrs Y which allowed Mrs X respite breaks . Now Mrs X calls when she feels stressed or changes to Mrs Y have occurred and she needs reassurance and support to continue her caring role .

One carer was stressed as the person the cared for wanted out all the time . After a few outings they have become more alert and accepting to come to day care. Their mental well being has improved and they are more settled at home after an outing.
Mrs X was caring for her husband with dementia. His condition and the drug treatment prescribed meant that he had become quite sexualised. Mrs X really needed a break, but it was difficult to find appropriate respite. They first found a residential placement, but it didn't work due to the husband's behaviour. We found a male carer who could stay with the husband overnight in the house, allowing Mrs X to get away for a few nights with her sister.

What Arden House Projects has learned

We have been made more aware of stress that can come from caring for a loved one. We have learned how to source help for them and where to go to get it. This has made a huge difference to our organisation and upped our profile of what we can do , who we are and where we are.
Top tips Arden House Projects's top tips for an organisation that wants to run a similar project
Tip 1:
Liaise with families ,
Tip 2:
source other agencies help
Tip 3:
work with carers at every stage of a problem

"Thoroughly enjoyed the total relaxation and the time spent away from home. Did me a power of good - I am now a Pampered person! - Thank you"

Service User

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