To coincide with Emergency Services Day on 9th September, we are shining a light on the Crossroads Care Emergency Respite Service which supports unpaid carers in times of crisis
When Ian, 86, experienced heart pains and needed to be rushed to hospital in an ambulance late one night, he first had to think about who could care for his wife Ann, 82, who has advanced Alzheimer’s and cannot be left alone.
Since the couple’s son lives too far away to get to them at short notice, there was no one that could look after Ann except for Crossroads.
Thanks to Ian attending the charity’s caring café with Ann — a twice-monthly meetup for carers and those they look after living with dementia — he was aware of the Crossroads Emergency Respite Service. Fifteen minutes after calling the charity’s afterhours phoneline, the emergency Crossroads care support worker arrived at the house to take care of Ann. This meant that Ian could go to hospital and stay overnight for tests.
‘As soon as care support worker Michelle walked in, my worries about Ann’s welfare eased,’ says Ian. ‘Michelle was lovely, self-assured and knew exactly what to do. If Crossroads hadn’t been there, I couldn’t have gone to hospital because I have no one else to look after Ann at short notice.’
The Crossroads Emergency Respite Service, funded by Richmond Council, has been running for fifteen years and offers carers registered with the council peace of mind, that should they become ill, a highly trained staff member will step in to ensure continued care in the home for up to 48 hours.
Crossroads Care are now also providing home respite and support to Ian and Ann.
Ian says: ‘It’s not easy looking after someone with Alzheimer’s, especially when you’re my age. I find it difficult to cope.
‘The respite breaks that Crossroads provides mean that I can visit the doctor, go to the supermarket and even for a short walk which is my only exercise.
‘Whenever Crossroads staff arrive at the house, the stress leaves my shoulders. You feel like you can share the responsibility with someone else. The care support workers are so capable and confident. If I didn’t have their help, I’d be totally housebound because Ann often refuses to go out.’
To find out more about registering as a carer with Richmond Council, ring 020 8891 7971 or visit: https://www.richmond.gov.uk/carers_assessments
