SCA Group is launching a new respite service for people with dementia at the Fenwick2 Health and Well-being Centre in Lyndhurst.
The new service will operate on Thursdays from September. It will give people in the early to moderate stages of dementia the chance to attend Fenwick2 for one day a week to take part in stimulating mental and physical activities and to socialise with others.
Their carers will also gain some much-needed rest and recuperation and will be able to access the services of Carers Together New Forest, which is based at Fenwick 2, if they need further support.
The service is for people living in the New Forest and surrounding areas and must be booked in advance.
“The fifteen places initially set aside for the respite day have already been filled, but there is a waiting list for others who may be interested,” said Joy Burton, Area Manager for SCA’s Care Directorate.
“Each person attending the day will have an initial assessment to see if it is suitable for their needs. They will then have a key worker assigned to them and a care plan to check how well they are progressing.”
Joy said SCA Group is very pleased to be able to offer the service for people in the New Forest and surrounding areas, since feedback has shown there is a great need for it.
“We already run a multi-agency assessment project for people in the early stages of dementia at Fenwick2 and although this has been a big success, the funding is time-limited and only allows us to offer the service for up to 12 weeks. The new respite service will allow people in the early stages of memory loss and their carers to get ongoing support.
“Unfortunately we were unable to obtain funding to run this project so there will be a daily private charge for the service, but we have kept it to a minimum. At £29 per day it is highly competitive.”
Associate Director of Care Wendy Walsh said SCA Group has wide experience of working with those who need care and support and excellent working relationships with the relevant statutory agencies. The expertise that SCA Group has built up in day care, domiciliary care and respite services will enable people attending the dementia service to obtain high quality support and advice, she said.
“This service will be of immense benefit to the people who attend. It will enhance the quality of life of both the people with early dementia and the people who care for them, and will enable the service users to retain their independence. The service addresses the national and local personalisation agenda in health and social care by giving individuals greater choice in how they organise their own care.
“If the new project is successful and if there is sufficient demand we hope to be able to expand this service in the near future for the benefit of others,” said Wendy. “We would welcome discussions with anyone who thinks the service might benefit them and we are willing to be as flexible as possible to try to meet people’s individual needs.”
SCA’s services are not-for-profit. As a social enterprise, any surpluses are reinvested into existing or new services.
Further information is available from Joy Burton on 023 8036 6663 or email joy.burton@scaccs.org.uk |
