Breaks from caring for people with dementia are rare, report finds

The majority of people with dementia and their carers living in
the community do not receive a break, according to a new report by
Alzheimer’s Scotland, writes Maggie
Wood.

Published to coincide with  Dementia Awareness week, and  a new
campaign supported by the Scottish executive to raise public
awareness of dementia, the report examines the effectiveness of
short breaks for the estimated 61,000 people in Scotland suffering
from dementia.

It shows that while short breaks can improve the health of
carers, delay the need for long-term care, and act as a safety
valve in relationships, there is a large variation in levels of
local authority provision.

Jim Jackson, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Scotland,
said: “The importance of short breaks will increase year on
year because of our ageing population. We hope to see a vast
increase in the amount of short breaks available and that every
person with dementia and carer who needs a short break will be
assisted to get one.”

The new public awareness campaign, funded in part by the
Scottish executive, marks the start of a five year public strategy
aimed to change the misperceptions about dementia, and the fear and
stigma attached.

Deputy health minister Euan Robson said he hoped the campaign
would “help ensure that people with mental health problems
and those taking care of them will know where to get support and
help”.

Short break services for people with dementia and their
carers in Scotland from www.alzscot.org