Alzheimer's Society, Durham and Chester-le-Street Branch, UK. Local Sitting Service

The Home Support Service

Jennifer Brown, Branch Manager, runs the Home Support Service

The Durham and Chester-le-Street Branch of the Alzheimer's Society is funded by County Durham Social Services to provide a relief care scheme which enables carers looking after a friend or loved one with dementia to have a break and a few hours time for themselves.

This free service is designed to meet your individual circumstances. Our Co-ordinator will visit you at home to discuss how our service will help you.

Relief Carers

Careful assessment is made of all our 'relief carers' and references are required. Emphasis is placed on training and providing good supervision and support throughout.

Relief Carers understand that people caring for those with dementia are faced with unusual and distressing problems. Care is taken to ensure compatibility of the worker with the client and carer to establish good relationships.

The role of the Relief Carer is to provide practical support and companionship. Some attend to personal care tasks such as feeding assistance with grooming and personal hygiene. Others spend time chatting, making a cup of tea or taking the client for a walk.

To Apply For The Service

The person being cared for must be a person with dementia.
There must be a carer, friend or relative to relieve.
The person with dementia must live in their own home or that of a carer.
The carer must be willing to welcome 'relief carers' into their own home or that of the person with dementia.

Referral can be made through a Social Worker, G.P., Health Visitor or District Nurse, or, from a friend or the carer themselves.

To find out more:
Telephone (0191)- 389 0400
any week day between 8.30 am - 4.30 pm.
(There is an answer phone facility when there is no-one available)

Branch Premises in Bullion Lane or you can call in to see us at:-
Branch Office
South Approach
Bullion Lane
Chester-le-Street
DH2 2DW

We are also able to offer advice on all aspects of our projects as well as providing information on other locally and nationally run services.

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