Daily respite for carers of adults (Homeshare)
The Homeshare day care scheme works with volunteers who open their homes to provide regular support to the carers of adults. The scheme provides carers with a break from their caring role by looking after the cared-for person in the volunteer’s home, in small groups or as individuals.
The service may be used on a regular basis between the hours of 10.30am and 3pm, or in emergencies. The volunteers provide lunch for which there is a charge of £3.89 and transport may be provided. Volunteers also receive reimbursements to cover expenses. Volunteer carers normally manage a group of three or four people.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please complete an application form.
Applying for the scheme
Anyone wishing to use the scheme will need to check that they meet the eligibility criteria.
The scheme can provide services for people with various health needs including:
- wheelchair users
- people living with dementia
- wanderers
- the sensory impaired
- those who require assistance with dietary requirements
To be eligible for the scheme the carer must
- be in need of a break to maintain their own health and wellbeing
- require a safe, supported environment for cared for person
- consent to the cared for person being supported by volunteers
To be eligible for the scheme the cared for person must
- have a carer
- be over 18 years old
- consent to being cared for by volunteers
- be continent or self managed
- be able to transfer with one carer
- self-medicate with/without prompt or assistance
Referrals
Referrals are received from various sources including carers centres, voluntary organisations, GPs, Hackney Community Services adult teams as well as individual carers.
Apply
To apply complete the Homeshare initial contact form .
What happens next?
- once a referral is received the coordinator will make contact with the named referrer
- the coordinator will visit the carer and the cared-for person to make an assessment for a suitable placement. Some of the things discussed during the assessment are mobility, transport, health, eating and drinking and toileting and continence – there could be a time delay between this visit and a suitable placement becoming available
- once a placement has been identified the coordinator will arrange a visit for the cared-for person and the carer to meet the volunteer carer and other users of the scheme
- reviews will take place 6 weeks after the commencement of the placement at the carer’s home and the volunteer carer’s home
Apply to be a volunteer carer
As a volunteer carer you would:
- assist with and facilitate with the care of older people in their own home 10am -3pm (days as agreed)
- ensure that proper procedures are observed when doing so by offering the service users individual care and attention in a friendly and professional manner
- enhance the service users’ social life by working closely with their carers to ensure needs and aspirations are met