KEMP Hospice in Kidderminster has launched a new service designed to help support people who are the main carers looking after loved ones with life-limiting conditions at home.
The KEMP for Carers team will visit the homes of people with life-limiting conditions to offer four hours per week of support for the carer, known as respite support. This will enable carers to have much needed time to themselves; to rest, attend appointments, go shopping, meet a friend for coffee or to simply just relax, knowing that their loved one is in safe, professional caring hands.
The service is offered free-of-charge to carers of patients who are deemed to be within their last 12 months and are not receiving any NHS funded care services.
Head of Care at KEMP’ Hospices Karen Coles explains:
“We saw a need for a service that really looked after local carers, and as KEMP enters its 50th anniversary in 2019 we wanted to have the service in place in time for our golden year. Looking after someone every hour of every day can be very taxing, KEMP for Carers are there to provide that extra help – so that carers know that they are not alone and that together we can care and support.
“Our KEMP for Carers team provide personal care such as assisting people to the bathroom; monitoring conditions and communicating with other professionals involved in the person’s care. Most importantly, our carers, trained to KEMP’s high standards, provide that crucial reassurance with our high quality, friendly, compassionate communication and company.”
The new service has been endorsed by former Wyre Forest MP and health campaigner Dr. Richard Taylor who said it was much needed:
“It’s extremely important to have this type of service and it’s getting more and more so for professionals like myself to be able to refer patients to charities like KEMP, who provide their care free of charge.
“The life of a carer can be terribly hard and lonely and, unless there’s somewhere like KEMP to provide a special service for those caring for loved ones, how do those carers get that crucial time off? That important time to themselves, time to do the things that other people take for granted. To be able to offer a family that ‘freedom’ is special and that’s why I think KEMP for Carers is crucial to the community.”
For more information visit KEMP Hospice
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