Halton Carers Centre – Dementia Carer Support
On this page
- Lead Organisation
Halton Carers Centre
- Project contacts
Halton Borough Council – Adult Social Care – 0151 907 8306
Halton Carers Centre – 01928 580182
Alzheimer’s Society – Halton Dementia Advisor Service – 0151 420 8010
In Autumn 2023, almost a quarter of new carer registrations to Halton Carers Centre were for an individual caring for someone with dementia. We currently have 594 dementia carers.
Our work puts the carer at the centre. We aim to help give them a sense of strong well-being, the skills they need to perform their caring role and the knowledge of the support options available to them. In turn, this helps them support their loved one at home, reducing the need for acute interventions from the NHS.
Our current offer for dementia carers involves providing information advice and signposting; support groups specifically for dementia carers; trips and activities; holistic therapies, counselling and access to the carer break fund – a pot of money that enables carers to purchase bespoke activities that help them take a break. We’ve found that it is essential that carers supporting someone with dementia connect with others in the same situation as this reduces isolation and enables people to share coping strategies. Social activities and the ability to feel ‘normal’ are also incredibly important to carers.
We offer START training; a programme for carers supporting a loved one with dementia. This training is offered in person and remotely. Providing an online option was felt to be essential due to the unpredictable nature of caring for someone with dementia.
We also offer support for when the caring role ends or changes, helping a carer with the grief process while enabling to look to their own future.
- Partners
Age UK – Mid Mersey, HBC Social Services, GPs, Hope Dementia Café, Admiral Nurses, Alzheimer’s Society, Catalyst Science and Discovery Centre, Halton Library Service
- Project duration
Our support package for carers runs all year and have no end date. We are a long-term service for all carers living in Halton.
- Key beneficiaries
Carers of people with dementia
Halton Carers Centre – Dementia Carer Support
Why we started this initiative
Halton has an ageing population. This, combined with increased number of referrals, encouraged us to create a bespoke project for dementia carers in 2008.
Looking after a loved one with dementia is all encompassing and involves a grieving process. Carers in this situation tell us that they need information and advice, however what they really benefit from are enjoyable activities that reduce isolation and build well-being. As a result, a lot of our activities focus on fun. Carers value having something positive in their week where they can relax and enjoy an activity that makes them feel better.
Our goals
The aim or vision of Halton Carers Centre is for carers in Halton to live fulfilled lives that enable them to perform their caring role to the best of their abilities whilst also achieving their own potential.
The goals for our work with dementia carers are the same as our goals for all our service.
1. To enhance well-being– building resilience and reducing isolation.
2. To increase skills– both skills relating to the caring role and for wider life and work.
3. To build knowledge– so carers know the support they are entitled to and how to get it.
How we’re implementing it
At first point of contact a carer meets with their carer support worker to create a bespoke package of support. Someone caring for a loved one with dementia will always be referred to our dementia carers support group which meets fortnightly both online and in-person. Then carers can access the full range of activities available in Halton Carers Centre including trips, well-being groups, holistic therapies and carer break fund. It is important that carers have the flexibility to access the support they need when they need it.
Carer well-being – The caring role tend to isolate people. In our carers forum in May 2023, carers told us that they were struggling with being tired, exhausted, having no time for themselves and feeling stressed and lonely. These difficulties can become compounded with age as people tend to get out less as they get older. Whilst any caring role isolates people caring for someone with dementia is particularly difficult. A carer can grieve the loss of their former life, while still wanting to care for their loved one. Many must navigate the health and social care system, and some can hide the diagnosis as they find it difficult to accept what is happening. Carers need someone to listen and a space to be themselves and not be defined by their caring role. Our work supports carers pre-diagnosis as they learn to accept the changes they see, post-diagnosis as they learn to live with their new reality and as the caring role ends as their loved one moves into residential care or passes away.
Referrals – Most of our new dementia carer registrations come from referrals from professionals. As a result, Halton Carers Centre needs to be well connected locally. We have a visible outreach presence in GP surgeries and hospitals, and deliver outreach sessions in the local shopping centre. We also provide space for the carer to bring their loved one to sessions as often they may not be able to leave them home alone.