Older People’s Mental Health Service

Dementia Carers’ Support Service Volunteer information leaflet Updated April 2012

A member of Cambridge University Health Partners

What is the service? The Dementia Carers’ Support Service (DCSS) is a multi-awardwinning service that will provide support for carers of people with dementia throughout the journey of their caring role. This will be achieved by linking current carers of people with dementia with those who already have first-hand carer experience. These experienced carers will be a befriender or buddy and become the Dementia Carers’ Support Volunteer (DCSV). This will benefit: l

l

l

l

The person with dementia, as the carer receives regular and consistent support from someone who understands the challenges of living with dementia The family carers, as they get support from a peer, hence reducing the isolation and anxiety that often prevails as the illness progresses The Dementia Carers Support Volunteer, as they feel a sense of purpose in offering their time, knowledge and experience to others as well as building on your skills Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT), as this supports the advocated model of recovery in mental health.

2

Who are the Dementia Carers’ Support Volunteers (DCSV)? The DCSV are former carers of people with dementia or people who have transferrable knowledge, skills and experience. Their other common qualities are: l

Desire to help others

l

A good listener

l

Ability to build long-term ‘professional’ befriending relationships

l

Ability to empathise while managing emotions

l

Ability to travel independently.

The DCSV will be recruited as CPFT volunteers and will undergo the normal recruitment process for volunteers such as assessment of capability, appropriateness and CRB checks. They will undertake the CPFT induction and mandatory training programme for volunteers. In addition, Cambridgeshire Training Education and Development Service for Older People (CAMTED-OP) will deliver tailored training for the volunteers’ specific needs to help you in your new volunteering role. The DCSV will receive regular supervision (peer group or one-to-one) and expenses will be remunerated.

3

How does the service work? We cover Cambridge City and east and south Cambridgeshire. We can accept referrals from professionals, GPs, or carers can self-refer. The DCSS co-ordinators will meet with the referred carer and the person being cared for, if appropriate. They will discuss the carer’s current needs and develop a support plan. A suitable DCSV will be identified and introduced to the carer. The support plan will be discussed and agreed between the carer and DCSV. The carer is given the reassurance that the support is consistent, and will last throughout the journey of his/her caring role, unless the carer chooses otherwise. The DCSV will document the date and time of contact and will note the most appropriate activity under the following categories: l

Emotional support

l

Practical support

l

Informational support

l

Sign posting to other services

l

Social support

The DCSS co-ordinators, as employees of CPFT, will be required to keep clinical records in accordance with CPFT policy.

4

Confidentiality? It is a requirement for all volunteers placed within CPFT, just as it is with paid staff working for CPFT, to treat information in a confidential manner in accordance with Data Protection Act 1998. Thoughts of a carer “There are obviously some things that dementia sufferers cannot do. It is much better to make sure that they do carry out what activities they can as it is much easier for them to say “I can’t”. “Keep patient (often difficult) and remember that this is an illness/disease that has no outward visible signs. It can be too easy to forget that we are not dealing with someone who with normal or often logical attitudes or behaviour. There is never the same pattern of behaviour from day to day so be prepared for constant changes and surprises - some for the worse but also some for the better. “As with bringing up children it is often much easier and quicker to do things for them rather than taking longer to make sure they do whatever it is. This must be resisted. Even let them put away cutlery and crockery after washing up in the wrong places and then, when they are not around, put things back in the correct drawer or cupboard. If they see you doing this they will say “am I wrong again?” and so lose a bit more self confidence. “Keep up the many signs of affection and the “I love you’s”.. “Always remember that life is good - half a loaf is better than no bread, and the cup is half full rather than half empty! 5

“Share thoughts and difficulties with family and friends and with other carers, and carers of carers. Remember John Donne’s verse “no man is an island”. “Take them out with you whenever you can, but in any case say where you are going, and where you have been, and what you have been speaking about and done. Remember that they are lost without you, but equally you must get breaks away from the caring from time to time, whenever and however possible. These are two conflicting needs that have to be resolved with help from others. “Don’t draw attention to mistakes made, unless for safety reasons. “Try to create a “failure-free” environment. This might mean using very clear signs on the toilet door, having strongly contrasting colours in the bathroom so it is easy to locate the loo, etc. It also means asking the person to do things in ways that make it most likely that they will do it easily - no multiple requests, keep to familiar activities and don’t expect a lot of new things to be done. “You will never win an argument so just give in gracefully and tactfully. Comments about the project “I had no idea what a carer goes through until I cared for my mother who had dementia. Being a volunteer to support a carer is just as important as a carer supporting someone. Carers need equal support to that of the person cared for, not less. This project is fantastic!” “It will be reassuring to get support from someone who knows and understands the challenges of living with dementia presents. News of this project is great.”

6

Useful contacts Fe Franklin DCSS Co-ordinator (Thursday and Friday) T 01353 652092 M 07506 579367 E [email protected] Sally Kitchin DCSS Co-ordinator (Monday-Wednesday) T 01353 652092 M 07432 701833 E [email protected] Terry Dellar Team Administrator T 01353 652092 E [email protected] Intermediate Care Team T 01223 726300 Community Mental Health Teams East Cambs – 01353 652084 City – 01223 726022 Rural – 01223 726068 Willingham – 01954 206166 Royston – 01763 242923 Young Onset Dementia T 01223 218941

7

Further information For information about CPFT services or to raise an issue, contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on Freephone 0800 376 0775, or e-mail [email protected] Out-of-hours’ service 0800 052 22 52 Mondays to Fridays from 5pm to 10pm; Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays from 8am to 10pm. Leaflet updated April 2012 Leaflet review date: April 2013

HQ Elizabeth House, Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge CB21 5EF. T 01223 726789 F 01480 398501 www.cpft.nhs.uk