RESPITE CARE

Carers provide an invaluable role in looking after a loved one who is elderly, unwell or disabled. To enable carers to continue to provide this vital support it is important that they have an opportunity to take a break from their caring role. Respite breaks for carers will assist them in maintaining their own health as they continue to provide care over a prolonged period.

Grants are available towards the cost of providing a respite break in a residential care home or providing short breaks within an individual’s own home. Grants are available to support carers with a long term caring role. They are not available for convalescence care, which is more usually a short term commitment following surgery or hospitalisation.

Some of the grants we have offered previously include:

Residential respite care
In home (domiciliary) respite care
Day centre respite care

Case Study

In 2007, at the age of 68, Ray Abercromby-Little suffered a stroke. A year later he started suffering from regular and debilitating seizures and his care needs increased dramatically.

Ray’s wife Pat was looking after him without any outside support and was feeling the strain of it all, especially when the reality sank in that the damage caused by the stroke and the seizures is, in all probability, irreversible.

“I was close to breaking point myself by 2009 until our Almoner, Len Goodyer told us that we might be able to get some financial help for Respite care from the Masonic Samaritan Fund and he helped us with submitting the application.”

The application was granted before the end of 2009 and Ray experienced his first short stay in a superbly comfortable Respite Care Home shortly thereafter. Although very anxious and reluctant at first, he soon realised what a pleasant experience it could be and has returned on several occasions since then. The staff now know him well and he has always been offered the same, now-familiar room and enjoys the attention of the carers and the company of the other residents.

“For me, just having the peace of mind in knowing that Ray is being well looked after and that I can have the freedom to choose to do something that I actually want to do has helped enormously and Ray fully appreciates that I benefit greatly from the breaks. Frankly, we both benefit from being away from one another for a while and can better appreciate life and count our 'blessings' afterwards.” Pat Abercromby-Little

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