Council and democracy

Short breaks for carers of younger people with dementia

Operated by the charity Turning Point in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council, the short breaks for carers service offers support to carers of younger people (adults 18–65 years) with dementia who live in Watford, Three Rivers and Hertsmere. The service operates Monday to Friday 9am-5pm and complements any existing respite services.

Turning Point YPD (younger people with dementia) staff spend time with the cared-for service user, allowing the carer to take a pre-agreed number of short breaks. This can involve spending time with the service user in their home or accompanying them on social/leisure activities in the community. Activities will vary according to the service user’s abilities/preferences.

Who can use the service?

Referrals are usually made through the local Community Mental Health Team or the Elderly and Physically Disabled (EPD) Team and need to include:

• Short breaks (early onset dementia) commissioning form.
• Care Programme Approach or (EPD equivalent) form and current risk assessment.
• Carer’s assessment (if applicable).

The criteria for referrals are:

• The service user must be an adult aged 18-65 years diagnosed with early onset dementia who is already receiving support either under the Care Programme Approach or from the Elderly and Physically Disabled Team.
• The service user must be supported by a carer (as defined by the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000) aged 16 years or over who has had their needs identified.
• Both the carer and the service user must live in the Watford, Bushey and Three Rivers areas.

N.B. The short breaks for carers service does not provide personal care for the service user. Ideally the carer will already have received a carer’s assessment, which will have identified a need for this service, and will be involved in the referral process (although the level of involvement will vary).

Contact details:
Short Breaks for Carers of Younger People with Dementia
Turning Point
Charter Court
Midland Road
Hemel Hempstead
Hertfordshire HP2 5GF
Tel/Fax: 01442 275851
Email: ypd.service@turning-point.co.uk