Sheffield City Council launched an online survey in July 2020 asking for residents’ views about short-term care for older people. The aims for the strategy are to:
- Offer carers a break from their caring role.
- Allow carers to pre-book support so they can plan ahead.
- Offer both carers and cared-for people a range of options for more personalised breaks.
- Offer responsive support to the cared-for person and family at a time of need.
- Offer short term overnight support in a range of settings.
In feedback comments the aims were generally well received though the responses indicate that whilst awareness of alternative forms of short term care may be good, these options are not widely accessed.
The priorities that respondents indicated as important to them for the strategy include:
- Confidence in the quality of care provided
- Access to short term care at different times of the day/week
- Access to short term care of different types and in different settings
A number of suggestions for short term care were also provided and include ideas such as coastal respite opportunities for person and carer, personalised outcome based breaks, and morning and evening respite options.
Common themes reflected in positive experiences of short term care included information and communication, as was having consistent relationships between the person and care giver.
Areas to be addressed include a lack of flexibility in choice, lack of decisions when booking urgent respite, inconsistent care workers resulting in a lack of connection with the person, and lack of information on availability.
The feedback will now be used to help design the model for short term care for older people in Sheffield. If you have any questions or would like more information contact – Rob Addenbrooke (Commissioning Officer) Tel: 07766 3655821, Email: Robert.Addenbrooke@sheffield.gov.uk .
