Services
How to Access Crossroads Services
Respite Support for Carers
Crossroads support Carers of all ages who are responsible for the care of someone who may have a physical/sensory disability, learning disability, mental health issue or who are chronically ill.
Home-based respite support provides help in the home. Respite support is provided by highly trained care attendants who undertake the adult carer’s normal caring responsibilities for an agreed period of time. In some cases the care attendants can accompany the person with care needs on a social outing to allow the carer respite at home.
Respite support can be provided up to 24 hours per day 365 days per year.
There are 3 possible routes to access this service:
- Referral by Social Worker
- Referral by health professional e.g. G.P
- Self referral – privately funded package
Young Carers Project
The Young Carers project is for young people (aged 5-23) whose lives are affected by caring for a family member who has a long-term illness or disability, mental health issue, or possibly an addiction to alcohol or drugs.
Crossroads Young Carers Project offers
- Social activities – young carers can meet others in similar situations for social outings
- Befriending – on a one-to-one basis.
- Practical help – someone to talk to or help with light household duties e.g.shopping, preparing meals and laundry.
- Provide respite – Crossroads can provide young carers with a break through respite care to enable them to spend time with friends, take part in after school activity, or sport and handling schoolwork.
The leisure/social activities are carried out on a variety of locations. Favourite activities include: ice skating, cinema, bowling and mini golf. Practical help and the respite service are home-based and tailored to meet the needs of each caring situation.
The four schemes arrange the young carers activities on regular nights during the week. The schemes arrange young carers activities and the young people can expect to go out at least once a month.
There are 3 possible routes to access this FREE service:
- Referral by a Social Worker
- Referral by G.P
- Self referral
- Other sources e.g. school nurse
Terminal Care Project
Crossroads palliative care service is individually tailored to meet the needs of each care situation. All support is appropriate to meet the needs of the care recipient and is based on a detailed assessment. Night care may be available and in addition Crossroads may provide care to people whose relatives live a distance away to the person with care needs.
Life Limited Children Project
Crossroads Terminal care project provides care and support for a family who has been affected from the effects of a terminal illness. Crossroads help to enhance the quality of life for those in a caring role and for the person with care needs. Crossroads provide the means and support to allow carers to continue in their caring roles. Crossroads care attendants not only provide carers with a break, they also provide a listening ear for carers to voice their concerns and worries.
The project enables people of all ages who are suffering a terminal illness to remain at home where they would be most comfortable. This service is aimed at providing support for the whole family and easing the stress at what must be a very difficult time.
GP Project – Emergency Respite Carer Programme
With the support of the British Medical Association Northern Ireland Crossroads works with many General Practitioners in Northern Ireland to help identify carers and to ensure that the relevant help is made available to them. GP’s can refer carers to Crossroads to receive respite care for a 6-8 week period. This service is free of charge to both the doctor and the carer.
Dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease Project
An aging population mean the number of people with dementia is growing at an alarming rate. In the UK dementia will effect 1 person in 20 over 65 years old, and 1 person in 5 as they reach 80. Looking after someone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with dementia can be both physically and emotionally exhausting for the carer. Crossroads provide a break for the carers by offering home-based respite care. We realise it is important that the same care attendant is put into the home to cause as little disruption to the persons routine.