The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Heléna Herklots CBE, has published a new guide to respite, to empower older people affected by dementia and provide them with a range of information about accessing respite, new and alternative respite options, and their rights under Welsh legislation.
The need for the guide was identified in ‘Rethinking Respite for People Affected by Dementia’, a report published by the Commissioner’s office earlier this year, which found that carers and people living with dementia were often unaware of the different respite options available to them and how these can be accessed.
The content of the guide was shaped with support from carers, people living with dementia and stakeholders, and includes information on the different types of respite available and how these can planned for and arranged, paying for respite and using direct payments, communicating needs and providing feedback to respite providers. The guide also provides details of organisations that may be able to provide help and support to carers and people living with dementia when they are looking to arrange respite.
Discussing the guide, Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Heléna Herklots CBE, said:
“Respite is vital to give carers and people living with dementia much-needed breaks, which have a positive impact on their well-being.
“However, people affected by dementia are often unaware of the different types of respite that may be available to them, such as short family breaks, day activities or one-to-one support.
“That’s why I’ve published this guide to respite, to ensure that carers and people living with dementia understand the different respite options that may be available to them, the different ways in which these can be accessed, and the rights they have under Welsh legislation.
“Carers and people living with dementia throughout Wales will be able to use the information in the guide to help them access respite options that are suited to their needs, offer greater flexibility and deliver a positive experience for them and their loved ones.
The respite guide will be distributed throughout Wales by the Commissioner and her team at engagement events, and by stakeholders working with people affected by dementia.
Click here to download A Guide to Respite for People Affected by Dementia
