Care Attendant Scheme
(Badenoch and Strathspey)Tel 01540 662029
marlynncrossroadsbs@tiscali.co.uk.
What is Crossroads?
Crossroads is an organisation set up to help anyone who spends a lot of their time caring for someone else. A high quality respite care service is provided by fully trained and experienced Care Attendants who are available all hours of the day to take over the caring duties, and free the carer to do whatever else they want or need to do. Often carers simply need a break and some much deserved time to themselves, and this is exactly what Crossroads aims to provide.Crossroads (Badenoch and Strathspey) is one of a number of regional schemes operating throughout the UK. It is a registered charity (Scottish Charity No. SC 013133) with a local voluntary Board of Directors.
What does Crossroads offer?
The service is Carer-centred and aims to be as flexible as possible,
providing Care Attendants at the times and places where they are needed most. Care Attendants are trained and experienced in looking after people of all
ages with a range of disabilities and health problems including frailty/old age, dementia, depression and other mental health complaints, learning disability,
physical disability, stroke, etc. They will do whatever their regular carer does. This covers personal care such as help with feeding, lifting, bathing,
dressing and management of incontinence, but could also include preparing a meal, shopping or providing companionship for a trip out or a chat at home.
All Carers will get together with the Scheme's Co-ordinator, Marlynn Mackay, to discuss their particular needs and the needs of the one they care for
and to put together a Care Plan. The details of the time and length of visits by a Care Attendant can then be agreed. Care Attendants are carefully matched
with their clients, and over time rewarding friendships often build up. Some clients receive regular care from Crossroads, others call on the service as
and when it is needed. In some instances emergency respite care can be arranged.
Who pays for Crossroads?
Care Attendants wages and the costs of running the Scheme are funded mainly through the Highland Health Board and the Social Work Department. However, as for most charities resources are limited, and the Scheme also relies on the fund-raising activities of its support organisation, 'Friends of Crossroads', and on donations.
Crossroads for Holiday-makers
Most of the Carers using Crossroads are people living in Badenoch and Strathspey area, in and around Newtonmore, Kingussie, Aviemore, Grantown on Spey and the smaller villages in the area. However, visitors on holiday in the valley are also welcome to contact the Scheme to arrange for a Care Attendant to look after a friend or relative who is on holiday with them for a period, allowing the Carer some free time.
Can Crossroads help you?
What to do next... If you need a break from caring don't hesitate to contact the Co-ordinator, Marlynn Mackay, or the Assistant Co-ordinator, Jan Smith. You can phone 01540 662029 (answerphone if no-one available), or write to Marlynn Mackay, St Vincents Hospital, Gynack Road, Kingussie, PH21 1LR, or email Marlynn at wkmackay32@aol.com.
Useful links
If you require disabled adapted
accommodation in Nethy Bridge, click below for details.
Fhuarain
Forest Cottages ; Speyside
Cottages
To find out more about facilities in Badenoch and Strathspey for people with special needs, click here.
We are looking for volunteers within Badenoch and Strathspey to join the management committee.
No formal qualifications are needed, but a genuine interest in the work of Crossroads and a willingness to contribute time each month for meetings and occasional other jobs are essential.
We would particularly welcome people with business and/or financial experience, IT skills, and also anyone who has previously been a carer themselves.
Could you help raise funds for Crossroads?
The Friends of Crossroads are a hard working group of volunteers who organise various fun events and activities (sales, teas etc) around Badenoch and Strathspey.
The money they raise is invaluable in helping Crossroads meet its costs and continue to provide as much help to carers as possible.
If you would like to get involved with the group, or have any other fund-raising ideas, please contact Anita Brown, 35 Strathspey Drive, Grantown-on-Spey, PH26 3EY, Tel 01479 872357.For more general information, comments or questions, email penny@nethy-pottery.freeserve.co.uk.