CareLine Spring 2018

Winter / Spring 2018 www.cftc.org.uk charity no. 1074906

IN THIS ISSUE •A utumn and Spring Carers’ Forums 4–5 •C arers Allowance – Know Your Facts 8 • Home from Hospital 17 • Health Checks for Carers 18

careforthecarers @care4thecarers

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Welcome to the Winter / Spring edition of CareLine

Contents Welcome

2

Contacts for Carers

3

Autumn and Spring Carers’ Forums

4–5

Carers’ Words, Carers’ Lives

6

Carers Cards

7

Carers Allowance – Know Your Facts Carers Group Directory

8 9 – 12

Carers at Roffey Park

13

Mental Health Information

14

Health Appointment Respite Grant / East Sussex Young Carers Funding

15

Hospital Discharge

16

Home from Hospital

17

Health Check for Carers

18

Help at Home

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Front cover: Evlynn Sharp Care for the Carers Writer in Residence at the Autumn Carers Forum with Pera and John who contributed to the Carers’ Words, Carers’ Lives films featured on page 6.

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Welcome to the first edition of CareLine in 2018. Do you look after someone who couldn’t manage without your support? If you do, you’re in good company – over 65,000 people in East Sussex care for a relative or friend. CareLine magazine is your round-up of useful information, news, hints and tips.

At this time of year we are encouraged to make resolutions, get organised and shape up, which can all seem too much when you are already spinning numerous plates. I hope that you will find something in this edition of CareLine that will help ease the load, whether it’s a local service that can help you to take a break from caring (page 3), information about Carers Allowance (page 8), or connecting with other carers (pages 9 to 12).

We all know that looking after our own health and wellbeing is important, but when your focus is on supporting someone else, it can be incredibly hard to find time for yourself. There are several articles in this edition providing some simple ways to start – from signing up to the Carers Card (page 7) to taking advantage of a Health Check for Carers. In 2017, we were delighted to work with Roffey Park, who offer a fantastic weekend away to local carers each year – you can read all about last year’s event on page 13.

Wishing you a happy and healthy 2018,

Jennifer Twist Chief Executive, Care for the Carers

Contacts for Carers

Age UK East Sussex www.ageuk.org.uk/eastsussex Telephone 01273 476704 charles.sheldon@ageukeastsussex.org.uk

British Red Cross www.redcross.org.uk Telephone 01435 866270 EScarerssupport@redcross.org.uk

East Sussex Parent and Carers’ Council www.eastsussexpacc.org Telephone 07432 067242 admin@eastsussexpacc.org

Health and Social Care Connect www.eastsussex.gov.uk/socialcare Telephone 0345 60 80 191 hscc@eastsussex.gov.uk

Southdown Housing Ambitions Services www.southdownhousing.org Telephone 01273 405800 paul.turk@southdown.org

ICE Project www.iceproject.co.uk Telephone 01273 617100 alan.icepro@btconnect.com jane.icepro@btconnect.com

Coastal Wellbeing - WRAP Courses www.coastalwellbeing.co.uk Telephone 07507 734 370 or 07598 323 254 molly@coastalwellbeing.co.uk lucy@coastalwellbeing.co.uk

Headway East Sussex www.headwayeastsussex.org.uk Telephone 01825 724323 trudy.mayes@headwayeastsussex.org.uk

Bexhill & Hastings Branch of the National Autistic Society www.nasbranch.org.uk/bexhill Telephone 07920 254569 bexhill@nas.org.uk

Crossroads Care www.crossroadscare-esbh.org.uk/ Telephone 01273 384916 b&hoffice@esbhcrossroads.org.uk

AGE Concern Eastbourne www.ageconcerneastbourne.co.uk Telephone 01323 638474 reception@ageconcerneastbourne.co.uk

Association of Carers www.associationofcarers.org.uk Telephone 01424 722309 info@associationofcarers.org.uk

IMAGO www.eastsussexyoungcarers.org.uk Telephone 0300 777 2011 info@eastsussexyoungcarers.org.uk

Stroke Association www.stroke.org.uk Telephone 01323 886920

Information for Families eastsussex.gov.uk/informationforfamilies Telephone 0345 60 80 192 (local rate) informationforfamilies@eastsussex.gov.uk

East Sussex Alzheimer’s Society www.alzheimers.org.uk east.sussex@alzheimers.org.uk Telephone 01424 773687

Care for the Carers www.cftc.org.uk Telephone 01323 738390 info@cftc.org.uk Text 07860 077300

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There are many organisations in East Sussex providing information, support and training for carers. If you would like to know more about what they can offer email, call or take a look at their website.

You can also follow many of them on social media.

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Autumn Carers’ Forum 2017 Carers’ Rights – Carers’ Experiences

“

The whole day was great and it was really lovely to talk to other carers in a supportive environment

”

The Care for the Carers’ Autumn Carers’ Forum took place at Sussex Downs College in Lewes on Wednesday, 25th October.

The theme of the forum was ‘Carers’ Rights, Carers’ Experiences’ and was a great success with over 100 carers, and people they care for, attending. Two Care Quality Commission reviewers also attended the event and took the opportunity to understand better the experience of carers in East Sussex.

A bustling marketplace hosted 27 stands from partner organisations where carers could share their experiences and get information about local services.

During the event the High Sheriff, Maureen Chowen, presented ‘Building a Carer Friendly Community Awards’ to six local services in recognition of the work they are doing to listen to carers, learn more about their needs and adapt their services to be more carer friendly.

Southdown Ambitions Service, Age UK East Sussex Community Navigator Service and Information and Advice Service, East Sussex Health Care NHS Trust Frailty Practitioner Team, East Sussex Better Together Engagement Team and Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust received awards at this event. Other services who are working with Care for the Carers to become more carer friendly will be recognised at future events and feature in CareLine magazine.

A highlight of the day was a special screening of three of the five short films recently produced as part of the ‘Carers’ Words, Carers’ Lives’ initiative. Evlynn Sharp, Writer in Residence and Film Maker, Dan Bridge were there to meet carers and discuss the project. All five films can be viewed on the Care for the Carers website.

Seven workshops, led by local and national facilitators from a range of services covered issues around carers’ rights. Benefits, end-of-life planning, hospital discharge, care in the community, Carers Assessments and mental health caring were all explored.

A common issue highlighted by carers across all of the workshops was that their experiences varied significantly depending on the individual practitioners they met and who dealt with their case. This applied equally across health and social care, in hospital or community settings.

While some carers shared positive experiences,

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Spring Carers’ Forum 2018 PLANNING FOR BOOK NOW THE FUTURE where communication between them, the cared for person and professionals was excellent, others spoke of the challenges they faced. Issues such as breakdown in communication, feelings of frustration and concerns for the safety or wellbeing of the person they care for were shared. Many carers identified that this can have a significant impact on their own physical and mental health.

A report has been produced which will be widely shared with local decision makers, service providers and carers. It is hoped that the insight that carers’ shared into the reality of their lives, and their experience of services, will increase recognition of the needs of unpaid carers in East Sussex and as a result improve carers’ health and well-being as well as that of the people they care for.

Wednesday 30th May 2018 10.00am – 3.30pm (Light lunch included)

Bexhill College, Penland Road Bexhill-on-Sea TN40 2JG Workshops are being planned and the choices will be sent out near the time.

Book your place now! Free for Carers – £5 for guests or the person you care for (payable on the day) Either fill out the form below, telephone Care for the Carers on: 01323 738390 Email: debbier@cftc.org.uk

I would like to attend the May 2018 Carers’ Forum Name Address

Spring Carers’ Forum 2018

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

Telephone Email Do you have any dietary or access requirements?

Would you like to bring the person you care for/guest

YES NO

Name Do they have any dietary or access requirements?

Please complete this and post to our FREEPOST address:

✁

Carers often worry about the future - what will happen to them and the person they care for if their circumstances change.

The Spring 2018 forum will help you think about some of the options available, gain support from local experts and share your experiences with other carers .

Workshops are being planned around Lasting Power of Attorney, choosing residential or home care, funeral planning, looking after your own health and wellbeing, planning for your future care needs and providing for the person you care for if you are no longer able to support them.

Postcode

Care for the Carers FREEPOST RTAC-GURC-XUJC Highlight House 8 St Leonards Road Eastbourne BN21 3UH 5

Carers’ Words, Carers’ Lives Carers’ Words, Carers’ Lives is part of Care for the Carers intergenerational creative writing project which has offered workshops, published an anthology of carers poems and produced a number of short films over the last year.

The charity’s Writer in Residence Evlynn Sharp, who is leading the project, has recently been working with Brighton-based film maker Dan Bridge to produce five short films, three of which premiered at the autumn Carers’ Forum in October 2017.

In these films Charlotte, Ian, Janice, John and Jason share their stories of caring and talk about an object that has special meaning to them.

Charlotte

Charlotte is a young adult carer who cares for her mum. She told CareLine: “I took part in the project to show pride and encouragement for what young carers do. Participating in the project gave me a chance to explain that being a young carer isn’t always easy and to get more awareness out there in our society.”

These five short films, as well as a ten minute film produced earlier in the year, can be viewed by visiting Care for the Carers website under Carers Stories or watching them on YouTube:

Ian

www.youtube.com/channel/ UCkaUvQQCBGHmfw0Xm5NBXtA/videos This project is playing an important part in ensuring that the reality of unpaid carers lives in East Sussex is shared and understood more fully.

Janice

Jennifer Twist, Chief Executive Officer at Care for the Carers, said: “We believe it is important to listen to carers and present their insights and reflections, and this is made possible thanks to great projects like Carers’ Words, Carers’ Lives.”

Building on the success of this project Care for the Carers has recently secured funding for a further year’s work. This will enable Evlynn to offer many new and exciting opportunities for carers from across the county.

John 6

If you are an unpaid carer yourself, or you host a carers group who would like to get involved with the Carers’ Words, Carers’ Lives project, please contact Care for the Carers by calling 01323 738390 or by emailing info@cftc.org.uk.

Jason

in an emergency ● E mergency Respite plan ● A discount card

As well as providing a discount from participating businesses, the East Sussex Carers Card also enables you to set up a CRESS (Carers Respite Emergency Support Service) plan as part of your carer’s assessment. Care for the Carers can also help you to set up a CRESS plan if you do not want a carer’s assessment.

someone depends on me

has three functions: ● I dentifies you as a carer

carers card

THE EAST SUSSEX CARERS CARD

carers card

me someone dependstheon instructions In an emegency please follow on the back of this card

Discounts for carers

If you do not wish to put an emergency plan in place but would still like to benefit from discounts for carers you can apply for a Carers Card directly from Care for the Carers by phoning 01323 738390, or by filling in a short registration form on the Care for the Carers website at www.cftc.org.uk/get-a-carers-card. This card is also available to parent carers of children.

Discounts can be gained at a variety of retail and leisure venues in East Sussex. We are working to add new businesses all the time and each month, CareLine will feature new businesses that have signed up to the East Sussex Carers Card scheme!

Don’t forget you can get hospital parking for £1.60 at both the Conquest Hospital Hastings and Eastbourne DGH by showing your Carers Card.

Here are the latest businesses to sign up to the scheme: BROOKES FAMILY MEDIATION

FLOWERS OF EASTBOURNE

If you are separating or divorcing, family mediation can help you to work out the future arrangements for your children, and your finances, without the need for expensive, lengthy and stressful court proceedings. 20% discount across all of our services. Covers all of East Sussex.

Tel: 01323 411629 Email: sarah@brookesfamilymediation.co.uk www.brookesfamilymediation.co.uk

Flowers of Eastbourne are a local florist with passion to create your bouquet requirements or be creative and create something bespoke just for you. Local and international delivery. Fresh and silk flowers. Cover Eastbourne, Pevensey, Westham, Hailsham, Polegate, Langney and Herstmonceaux.

20% extra flowers – Local only, not international deliveries.

Please mention the offer before the purchase Tel: 01323 738147 Email: info@flowersofeastbourne.co.uk www.enterprise-centre.org

C.P.J FIELD HAINE & SON • FUNERAL DIRECTORS

CPJ Field promises to make the funeral experience as personal and individual as possible in every detail. They are offering 10% off their fees on a traditional funeral. This does not include third party fees. The offer can be taken up by carers at the time of arrangement on receipt of a Carers Card. www.cpjfield.co.uk Eastbourne branch: 19 South Street, Eastbourne BN21 4UJ Tel: 01323 727801 Email: haine.son.eastbourne@cpjfield.co.uk Polegate branch: 65 High Street, Polegate BN26 6AH Tel: 01323 489127 Email: haine.son.polegate@cpjfield.co.uk Hailsham branch: 46 South Road, Hailsham BN27 3JQ Tel: 01323 840049 Email: haine.son.hailsham@cpjfield.co.uk Battle branch: 19 Market Square, Battle TN33 0XB Tel: 01424 236000 Email: haine.son.battle@cpjfield.co.uk EASTBOURNE NAIL CUTTING SERVICE

Eastbourne Mobile Senior Citizens Nail Cutting Service covering Eastbourne, Willingdon, Polegate and Pevensey Bay. Fully Certified Nail Technician £1 off Nail Cutting Service from January 2018 Tel: 07581 695348

FUSS FREE PHONES

Fuss Free Phones has a telephonist service that helps older people and those with sight or hearing impairment to make calls, send texts and look up information on the Internet. The service is normally £20 a month for 600 minutes of call time, unlimited texts, 24/7 access to the telephonists and no nuisance calls. Fuss Free Phones is offering the service for £10 a month to all carers. Only one subscription per household. There is no contract. Mention the Carers Card and the offer you are claiming.

Tel: 020 8002 0000 Email: happytohelp@fussfreephones.com www.fussfreephones.com TOWN TAXIS

Town Taxis is based in Bexhill but they do passengers to and from all surrounding areas. They are 3 offering carers with a Carers Card a 10% discount off their fare. This discount can’t be used with any other offer Town Taxis may offer.

Please advise the controller at the time of booking that you will be using the Carers Card, or if you are using one of their taxis off a taxi rank, please let the driver know that you will be using your card before your journey commences.

16 Station Road, Bexhill-on-Sea TN40 1RE Tel: 01424 733733 Email: towntaxis@hotmail.com www.towntaxis.com

To apply for an East Sussex Carers Card, find out more, or access the full directory of businesses signed up to the scheme, you can visit: www.cftc.org.uk/get-a-carers-card Call 01323 738390 or Email info@cftc.org.uk

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! s t c a f r u o y w o n k – e c n a w o l l Carers A

In this article Oliver Mawdsley, Outreach Manager from the Department of Work and Pensions Carers Allowance Unit shares some useful facts he spoke about at the Autumn 2018 Carers Forum where he facilitated a workshop with Michelle Javary, Macmillan East Sussex Welfare Benefits Advice.

Carers’ Allowance is paid at £62.70 per week and is not means tested - savings and private pensions are disregarded (including your partner’s).

DWP take into account payments such as State Pension, Employment Support Allowance and other means tested benefits.

If you are a pensioner you might not receive a payment from Carers Allowance but might receive up to £35 per week Carers Premium if you are also entitled to Pension Credit, you can check on our Pension Credit Calculator or Pension Credit claim line.

Telephone: 0800 99 1234.

To be entitled to Carers Allowance you must care for someone for 35 hours per week or more.

The person you care for must be on one of the following benefits: Personal Independence Payment or Armed Forces Independence Payment - daily living component, Disability Living Allowance – middle or high rate care, Attendance Allowance.

If you are working you can earn £116 per week net.

DWP can deduct expenses such as tax, Ni, 50% private pension and care costs for children or the disabled person.

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If you are in Full Time Education and study for more than 21 hours per week you will not be entitled.

You must have lived in the UK for two of the last three years.

Carers Allowance pays your National Insurance credit each week you are entitled.

Carers Allowance is a taxable benefit and you must inform HMRC if your income exceeds the tax threshold.

Claiming on-line is the quickest and easiest way to claim. To find out more visit www.carersallowance.service.gov.uk/ allowance/benefits.

If you would like a paper claim contact the Carers Allowance Unit on 0345 608 4321.

If you are a pensioner, or vulnerable, DWP Visiting Officers can help with your application and assess your household for other benefits. You can request a home visit by contacting the Carers Allowance Unit or any other DWP helpline.

If you are unsure of what benefits you are entitled to try the DWP benefits calculator. To take a look visit www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators. wance led to Carers Allo If you are not entit which d to Carers Credit le tit en be ay m u yo not a surance Credit but In l na io at N ur yo pays for 20 t care for someone payment - you mus . ents can also claim hours or more, stud

Supporting Carers in East Sussex

Care for the Carers Carers Information and Advice Groups Our Carers Information and Advice Groups are regular meetings for all carers, facilitated by Carer Support Workers. The first half of the meeting gives time to have a cuppa and a chat with other carers, and the second half usually has a guest speaker who brings useful information and advice relevant to carers.

They meet monthly in Willingdon, Herstmonceux, Ore, Battle, Newhaven, Heathfield, and Crowborough.

Carers Wellbeing Groups Our Carers Wellbeing Groups are regular informal drop-in groups for all carers, with input at some groups from Carer Support Workers, which meet monthly in Pevensey, Langney, Eastbourne, Bexhill, Ringmer, Peacehaven, and Broad Oak.

The Young Adult Carers (YACs) Group

These are usually the ‘next step’ groups for carers after they have been attending our Information and Advice Groups for 12 months.

Young Adult Carers (YACs) Groups

Our Young Adult Carers (YACs) Groups are monthly evening groups for carers aged 17-25yrs, run by Carer Support Workers.

Mental Health Carers The first hour is a structured Support Groups workshop related to education, Our Mental Health Carers Support training, employment or ‘having Groups are regular meetings for your voice heard’, based on carers of people with mental what carers tell us they want health issues, facilitated by Carer to discuss. The second hour is Support Workers. The group is for carers to ‘chill’, catch up with run in partnership by Care for the each other and access support Carers and the ICE Project, and from the workers present if meets on the last Saturday of the required. To find out the date of month, from 10am to 12.30pm, the next group, and to request at Carisbrooke House, an invite to CftC’s private YAC Stockleigh Road, Facebook group, contact our St Leonards-on-Sea TN38 0JP. Gateway service by calling us on 01323 738390, emailing us on info@cftc.org.uk, or texting us on 07860 077300.

For more information about carers groups run by Care for the Carers or our partners, contact our Gateway service for more information

Hailsham Wellbeing Group enjoying an afternoon tea

Call us on 01323 738390 Email us on info@cftc.org.uk or Text us on 07860 077300 9

Carers’ Clinics Care for the Carers runs Carers’ Clinics, which are pre-booked hour-long face-to-face or telephone appointments with an experienced Carer Support Worker. The appointments are an opportunity for carers to talk through any worries or concerns that they have and to discuss what they need and want, and to get advice, information and support regarding their caring role.

services. People with dementia and their carers can contact a Dementia Adviser whenever they need further information or support to find other services.

Dementia Support Service Provides ongoing support and information for people with dementia and family members/ carers through home visits.

Carers Support Groups

The peer support group gives people the opportunity to meet To book an appointment for with others who understand a one-to-one support and some of what they are going advice appointment, or for through. Run by a facilitator, the more information, contact our sessions offer a chance to ask Gateway service - call us on questions, get information and 01323 738390, email us on share experiences in a safe and info@cftc.org.uk, or text us on supportive environment.

07860 077300.

St Marks Church, Please note that our groups do Little Common, not run on Bank Holidays or the Bexhill on Sea, 3rd Wednesday week between Christmas and of each month, New Year.

2pm – 4pm Milton Grange, Milton Road, Eastbourne, 2nd Monday of each month, Alzheimer’s Society 1.30pm – 3.30pm St Barnabas Church, Services available to those Hoads Wood Road, living in East Sussex.

Hastings, Dementia Adviser Service (this last Monday service is not available through of each month, the Alzheimer’s Society within 2pm – 4pm the High Weald, Lewes & St. James Trust, Havens CCG area).

11 Blatchington Road, The Dementia Adviser service Seaford, 2nd Tuesday of offers information about all each month, aspects of living with dementia 2pm - 4pm. and supports people to access 10

Singing for the Brain Singing for the Brain brings people together in a friendly, fun and social environment.

Based around the principles of music therapy, the stimulating sessions include vocal warm ups and singing a wide variety of familiar and new songs.

Carers Information and Support Programme (CrISP) CrISP 1 (6 week programme) is a series of sessions for carers, family and friends of people recently diagnosed with dementia and offers effective support and up-todate, relevant information about dementia in a group environment.

CrISP 2 (4 week programme) is for those who have been living with dementia for some time.

Topics include: understanding dementia, legal and money matters, support and care, coping with dementia day to day and caring for those with more complex needs.

Sussex Helpline Provides support, information and a listening ear.

01403 213017 or e-mail: sussex.helpline@alzheimers. org.uk

See Haven Club Provides day care provision for those with a diagnosis of early onset dementia (under 65) and gives the opportunity for people to socialise and participate in activities.

Meets Monday and Thursday, 8.30am-4.30pm at, 3VA, Saffrons Road, Eastbourne BN21 1DG or Tuesdays, 8.30am-4.30pm at Charter Centre, 36 London Road, Bexhill TN39 3JU

Side by Side The Side by Side service helps people with dementia to continue to live independently and remain active members of their local community.

Volunteers will provide support to enable people with dementia to go out and about in their community and keep doing the things they enjoy or to try out new activities.

The service is unique to each individual as it is based upon what the person with dementia would like to do.

For further information on any of the above services please contact the East Sussex office on 01424 773687 or east.sussex@alzheimers.org.uk.

Memory Lane Social activities for people with dementia and their carers to attend together.

For more information, please contact Carole McHale on 07800 874361.

Carers Breaks and Engagement Service Dementia Lunch and Supper Clubs An opportunity for carers and people to meet, share experiences and meet new friends over a meal or a drink.

For more information, contact Lynn Leeves on 07740 338120.

For Seaford and district, please contact Wendy Morley on 07759 370090.

For Robertsbridge, please contact Sally English on 07557 480685.

For Bexhill, please contact Jayne Hicks on 07876 351487.

Dementia Support East Sussex Dementia Support East Sussex is an independent, not for profit, constituted voluntary initiative, bringing innovative, interactive group singing sessions for those living with dementia, while offering respite opportunities for carers.

We have clubs in community day centres, Council and Age UK-run, and dedicated care homes, with monthly meetings in Eastbourne, Bexhill, Lewes, Horam, Heathfield, Hastings, Newhaven, Hailsham, Peacehaven, Ditchling, and a weekly Saturday club in Bexhill .

We have now opened our first Crafty Craft Club in Bexhill, designed to stimulate past skill For Hailsham and Eastbourne, interests in creative crafts, painting please contact Lynn Leeves and drawing, sewing and knitting on 07740 338120. and, giving an opportunity for families to share quality, creative For Hastings, time, in a group setting. please contact Louise Vladi on 01424 722309.

We make no charge for our services, ensuring that none are Halton Dementia excluded through price, and all are welcome. By taking our Group activity into the community Formerly Dementia Support we aim to address some of the at The Bridge gaps in the existing provision Dementia Support at The Bridge of available support, with a is on the move. From Friday commitment to bringing carers, 3 November the group will be cared-for, and the community continuing our meetings on together through the joy of Monday and Friday afternoons at singing and performing.

Halton Baptist Church, We have a structured and Old London Road, positive approach, aiming to Hastings. help slow the progression of For further information, the condition with stimulation, call 07847 214961. while helping to delay the onset of 11

institutional care. Being structured, and interactive, each session is designed to stimulate all the key senses, to produce response, recall and develop co-ordination.

We hold a yearly Christmas concert, bringing our dementia singing groups together in seasonal goodwill.

Herstmonceux Village Hall, Saturday 2nd December 2017, from 2.30pm, will bring friends, families and community together, in celebration of achievement.

Please contact Cliff Slack on 07869 619861, email whitegates@mail.com or by visiting www.dementiasupport.me.uk

Know Dementia

Dementia Support East Sussex

Forget Me Not Forget Me Not is a support network for all post-dementia and Parkinson’s disease carers.

The Forget Me Not group is an opportunity for carers who An informal café for people have lost a loved one from any with memory problems and their family supporters/carers. form of dementia or Parkinson’s disease, or who have recently Includes tea, coffee, and cake. A little fun and laughter put them into a care home, to meet with other individuals with games, talks, music and with similar circumstances. dance.

Memory Moments Café

The groups meets on the last Thursday of each month, Share a musical experience with 2-4pm, St Marks Complex, people with memory problems Green Lane, Little Common, and their family supporters/ Bexhill-on-Sea. carers by joining our choir led Please note that the group will by classically trained singer/ not be meeting in December, but musician Mae Heydorn. will be substituting this with a No experience necessary, only lunch. a desire to enjoy singing.

For more information, Cost is £2 per session. please contact Rosie by For more information, contact calling Know Dementia on 07889 343111, 01373 494300 or email or by emailing info@knowdementia.co.uk rosie_costar@hotmail.com

Musical Moments

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If you know of a group that is not included here and would like to see it promoted in future CareLine editions please let us know by: emailing: info@cftc.org.uk or calling: 01323 738390

Supporting Carers in East Sussex

www.cftc.org.uk

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from across East Sussex experienced a weekend of relaxation and pampering in the heart of the Sussex countryside in November 2017. n pa i d c a r e r s

Carers enjoy a weekend break at

Each year, East Sussex County Council and Brighton and Hove City Council work together with Roffey Park in Horsham, West Sussex to offer carers a relaxing weekend break.

This year, from the 4th to the 5th November, 28 carers from across the county – and a similar number from Brighton and Hove – enjoyed a two-day retreat at Roffey Park.

Carers were also able to take part in a range of useful workshops on themes such as health, wellbeing and cookery.

Joy, who cares for her husband, said: “I had a wonderful weekend, the accommodation, food, company, and all the opportunities to participate, or just be quiet, were outstanding.

The grounds were lovely to walk in, and the quietness both inside and outside was so soothing.”

Ann, who cares for her 56-year-old husband who has Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), told CareLine: “The weekend break away was fantastic, much more than I expected. The people running Roffey Park could not do any more to help us.”

Taking some time away from their caring role, carers were offered a range of relaxing activities which included massages, swimming, reflexology, yoga, forest walks and cycling.

Ann added: “The massage was very good and the amount of food that was put on was amazing. I was very spoilt all weekend.”

The weekend break also included an after-dinner guest speaker, Helena Herklots, Chief Executive Officer of Carers UK, and during their time at Roffey Park, attendees had the opportunity to meet with other unpaid carers.

Paul, who cares for his mum and had been put forward for the weekend break by the Dementia Society, told CareLine: “It was good to know that you are not alone as there were people in similar situations and you were able to engage in conversations knowing other people have an awareness of what you are going through.

A big thanks to everyone involved in setting up the weekend, including staff at Roffey Park.”

Care for the Carers also offers a range of activities throughout the year aimed at improving carers health and wellbeing. For more information about these, please contact Care for the Carers by calling 01323 738390 or by emailing info@cftc.org.uk.

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Good practice in sharing mental health information Jacqueline Clarke-Mapp, Carer Leader and Jane Shepherd, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, both from Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, facilitated a workshop for mental health carers at the Autumn Carers Forum 2017. In this article they share some of the information they explored in their workshop.

From the perspective of the person being cared for - able to exercise your right to give consent to share or withhold personal information and information about your particular mental health problems from others.

Opportunity to say what care and support you would like in the future.

From the carer’s perspective Recognition of your role and your relevant and important knowledge about the person you support.

Access to someone to talk to about your concerns and information to care the best you can and to feel supported.

Family and Friend Carer rights regarding information-sharing Know what information we can share with you and to understand when information can’t be shared.

Benefits of sharing information with family and friend carers Family and friend carers often play a vital role in the lives of people who are in the care of our mental health services. You may be the only constant support in the person’s life and therefore likely to know the person better than we do. You can be vital in helping a person follow a care plan, take medication and keep in contact with services. Therefore, it’s important that you have the right information and know what information we can share with each other. This will help you feel supported at difficult times and be able to carry on supporting your loved one. If we work together, we are better able to help people’s recovery.

Key to good information-sharing For everyone to understand the benefits of sharing information plus open and honest communication between all concerned.

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Know who to contact, usually this will be the Lead Practitioner of the person receiving care from our services. The Lead Practitioner helps the person and family and friend carers access the help they need.

Talk to someone about your concerns, especially to avoid crises and when there are different views.

Discuss an issue that you already know about.

We may ask you questions to determine your knowledge about the specific topic before we can give certain information.

Be involved in care and risk plans, unless there are clear reasons why this is not possible.

Be given general information about mental health problems, types of interventions and medication and local services.

Your information will be treated as confidential and not be shared with your loved one without talking with you.

For more information contact Jacqueline Clarke-Mapp, Carer Leader by emailing families@sussexpartnership.nhs.uk

Does your caring role prevent you from attending your own healthcare appointments? You could be eligible for a Health Appointment Respite Grant.

The Health Appointment Respite Grant (HARG), administered by Care for the Carers on behalf of ESCC, pays for replacement care in order that carers can attend the following:

HEALTH APPOINTMENT RESPITE GRANT

●H ealthcare appointments,

e.g. GP, hospital, optician or dentist.

●H ealth treatments prescribed

by the NHS, e.g. physiotherapy and Live Well e.g. stop smoking clinics, weight management, falls prevention.

●C ounselling sessions through Care

for the Carers or your GP.

●T raining relating to the caring role,

e.g. First Aid, CrISP, conditionspecific training.

●P re-employment related activities,

specifically job interviews,

employment skills training courses up to 5 days, and work trials up to 5 days.

Replacement care may not be required for the whole period of time away from the cared for person, e.g. someone may be required to prepare a meal or give medication.

Instead of replacement care, the funding may be used to pay for: Replacement meal services.

Travel costs to an appointment which will reduce the time away from the cared for person.

More information about HARGs, including detailed guidance on eligibility criteria and costs covered, is available at www.cftc.org/grants-for-carers and through Care for the Carers on 01323 738390 or info@cftc.org.uk

More funding granted for East Sussex Young Carers East Sussex Young Carers (ESYC) supports Young Carers aged 5 - 18 who are responsible for caring for a family member with a long-term illness, disability and mental health or drug and alcohol issues.

Following three years of successful delivery of the ESYC project through social action organisation, Imago, further funding has been granted for another two years. ESYC have refined the project to ensure it continues to be able to support the most vulnerable young carers in East Sussex.

Starting this October, the East Sussex Imago Young Carers Project will be delivered as follows: Every referral made will receive an assessment ESYC speak to the family and the young carer, either in person at a home visit, or at a school visit. They establish what caring roles are being undertaken and for whom, look at whether there are other adults in the home who could provide care instead of that child, assess how much time this takes out of the young person’s day, and the positive and negative impacts of that caring role.

Establish the level of risk of inappropriate or excessive caring.

The level of risk will dictate which intervention is most appropriate – either targeted one-to-one support, group work in a school or community setting, or through condition-specific small group work.

Advocacy ESYC will advocate on behalf of the young person, with any organisation.

ESYC will carry out work in schools to include staff training, assemblies, and awareness raising sessions for professionals working with young people, and will encourage greater in-school identification and provision for young carers.

Refer a young carer for support.

Call 0300 777 2011 Email info@eastsussexyoungcarers.org.uk or visit Children and Young People in East Sussex 15

Hospital Discharge – what are your rights?

Whether you are a patient yourself, or a carer supporting someone who has been admitted to hospital, understanding hospital discharge planning can make a big difference to your experience.

Discharge planning starts when the person you care for has been admitted into hospital, and whilst each hospital will have its own discharge policy based upon Government guidance, all hospital discharge policies should highlight the importance of involving carers and the person they care for in the discharge plan.

Before a person is discharged from hospital: An assessment should be carried out to see if the person you are caring for is medically fit to be discharged.

If a person is deemed medically fit to be discharged, an additional assessment may be carried out to see what support may be needed at home.

A carer’s assessment should be arranged to see if you need support as a carer once the person you are caring for has been discharged. All carers are entitled to a carer’s assessment and this will usually take place in the community once the cared for person has been discharged.

The person you care for should receive a support plan, and you should also receive one if you

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have had a carer’s assessment. The plan, or plans, should outline the support needed and what is going to be provided.

The support plan, or plans, should be in place.

In addition, carers should be informed about: What is required to discharge a patient safely.

When services and equipment are in place (they will usually be involved in accepting delivery of equipment).

Capacity Where the patient has capacity, staff will primarily liaise with the patient about this, but it is usual for carers to be involved in planning meetings.

If the person you are caring for lacks mental capacity, you might be able to make decisions in relation to their health and welfare if there is a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place.

If there is no LPA, then hospital staff are required by law to act in the ‘best interests’ of the person you are caring for and you should be included in the decision making process.

The Carers UK leaflet “Coming out of hospital” is a useful resource to read and is available to download from their website: www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/practicalsupport/coming-out-of-hospital

Action to help patients home from hospital NHS organisations across East Sussex are taking part in a big initiative to ensure that patients spend no longer than they need to in hospital.

Let’s Get You Home will support them to return home safely or, if this is not possible, to move to a care home or supported housing once their treatment in hospital is complete.

Hospitals have a duty to ensure that their beds are occupied only by people who need treatment there. Let’s Get You Home will help Sussex hospitals have beds available when they are most needed, especially through the winter when more people are ill or have accidents.

There is a lot of evidence to show that patients recover better away from hospital. Doctors know that people recover better at home once their treatment in hospital is complete and they are ready to leave. This campaign is supporting patients, their families and carers to ensure that they leave hospital with the right support as soon as they are ready to go.

After a long hospital stay it can be hard to move around because you have lost strength. That’s why doctors don’t want to keep you in hospital any longer than you need to be there. Patients may become used to living in hospital, leaving them less able to manage in their own homes.

Hospitals work hard to prevent infections but can’t eliminate the risk of a patient catching one which they may be ill-equipped to resist.

The initiative includes: Staff having earlier conversations with patients about how they will leave hospital – usually

within 24 hours of being admitted – and being given clear information about their choices.

Hospital staff and local council adult services teams working more closely with each other and with patients and carers to ensure patients have the care and support they need to return home (or go into a care home or supported housing if they can’t go home).

More assessments on people’s long-term care needs taking place in their own homes, where they can be assessed more accurately, rather than in hospital.

Making patient choice policies consistent across Sussex and East Surrey so the process of leaving hospital will be the same wherever patients are treated.

Establishing pilots in hospital wards across Sussex and East Surrey to develop and share good practice on getting patients safely home.

New plain English leaflets for patients and staff and clearer information for patients.

The initiative is being implemented by the 24 NHS organisations and local councils across the Sussex and East Surrey Sustainability and Transformation Partnership, including adult services teams at East Sussex County Council, West Sussex County Council, Surrey County Council and Brighton and Hove City Council.

For copies of leaflets or further information either call 01273 485300 or email hwlhccg.lgyh@nhs.net You can also pick up a leaflet from your local hospital.

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HEALTH CHECKS FOR CARERS As a Carer its hard finding time to look after yourself but think about it – in order for you to be someone’s Carer you need to take time to look after yourself.

Health Checks ● Are you a resident of East Sussex? ● Are you aged 40-74? ● Do not already have or are receiving treatment for: heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease, high cholesterol or high blood pressure. ● Have not had a Health Check in the last 5 years.

Call 0300 303 3624 Why should you have a Health Check As we get older, we have a higher risk of developing conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease or type 2 diabetes. Your free Health Check can spot early signs and help prevent these happening to you, which means you’ll be more likely to enjoy life for longer.

Sussex Community Development Association We have dates across the county throughout the year. Please call to find out what is in your area of the county.

If you are part of a social group, community group, we can come along and deliver clinics to suit your group’s availability – so please ask.

Call 0300 303 3624 to book.

Or email healthy@sussexcommunity.org.uk www.sussexcommunity.org.uk Sussex Community Counselling Confidential Low-Cost Counselling Short-term counselling – up to 12 sessions.

We ask for a contribution per session of £12 – £25. This will be discussed at the introductory meeting.

Please call 01273 519108. counselling@sussexcommunity.org.uk for a referral form.

Free Classes available for you Dementia Friends Training ● Emergency First Aid ● Walking Football ●

Diabetes Support Group ● Tai Chi/Yoga ● Back Care ●

Are you an unpaid Carer living in East Sussex that never or rarely gets a break? Never fear, help is at hand. The Association of Carers could provide you with a volunteer who would sit with your loved one for three hours a week so that you could get a regular break.

The volunteer would be fully trained and 18

●

Cooking Classes

For more information Call 01273 516032

vetted, then matched with you and your loved one to make sure that you all have something in common.

You could go shopping, meet friends, have your hair done, do some gardening or even just have some uninterrupted sleep.

Does this sound too good to be true?

Well it gets better…it’s FREE! Call the Association of Carers on

01424 722309 and let us help you.

It’s the same number if you would like to volunteer.

Or visit www.associationofcarers.org.uk

HELP AT HOME THEY CAN TRUST When it becomes difficult for someone to live independently, whether due to illness, frailty or a disability, there can be a lot to think about for the person who becomes their carer. Most carers are constantly juggling commitments and responsibilities and sometimes a helping hand is all that’s needed.

Support with Confidence is a directory of vetted and approved care and support providers who can assist with: ●

●

●

●

omestic duties such as cooking, shopping, D cleaning and ironing

upporting with social or education activities, S helping with paperwork or offering transportation upporting to work or maintain the S household and garden

ersonal support, such as assisting to wash P and dress, and to mobilise as required.

Wendy is a Personal Assistant to an elderly gentleman in a care home in Bexhill: take my client out for coffee on Wednesday “ Imornings and we visit garden centres or go browsing in the shops. I also find reminiscence through books, photographs and general chat is a valuable activity.

”

Alison provides support to a number of people across East Sussex: people need a lot of time and patience “ Some to overcome anxieties, and others are ready

and waiting to go out. I love the satisfaction of empowering others in a way that is totally bespoke to their needs.

”

Phil takes care of a gentleman who doesn’t want to give up outdoor activities despite being less mobile now that he’s older:

people to build skills and confidence “ Iforsupport independent living. I take one gentlemen

out for social activities like archery and golf, and take part in singing groups in Bexhill, Battle and Wannock.

”

Support with Confidence is an East Sussex County Council accreditation scheme and all providers have undertaken relevant training required for their role. There is peace of mind in knowing: ● You can choose services from providers who have been vetted and trained ● All our members have enhanced DBS checks ● They receive on-going support, training and networking opportunities to ensure they are compliant with new legislation.

Could Support with Confidence help you as a carer?

Find out more at eastsussex.gov.uk/supportwithconfidence or call 01323 463440 19

Kamsons Pharmacy Kamsons are a Sussex based, family owned group of pharmacies with branches throughout East Sussex.

Discounts offered to holders of a Carers Card.

Visit www.kamsons.co.uk to find your nearest Kamsons Pharmacy.

Free Prescription Collection and local delivery

Ask your Kamsons Pharmacist for advice.

Contact us Name Address

Care for the Carers Web: www.cftc.org.uk Telephone: 01323 738390 Email: info@cftc.org.uk

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