A carer who fears that a break means giving up

Setting: A planned home visit

You are speaking to the wife of a patient receiving an established care package. She reports exhaustion but is reluctant to discuss short-break support.

Task

Explore the carer’s daily demands and beliefs about support.
Acknowledge guilt without promising a particular outcome.
Explain assessment versus confirmed placement.
Ask permission for referral and agree contact preferences.

Carer support service information

A referral starts a discussion of the carer’s needs and preferences.
The service can discuss short breaks at home or away from home, subject to assessment and availability.
No place, date or permanent move is agreed by sending this referral.
The first discussion can be requested by private telephone contact.
The existing patient care plan continues while options are explored.

Fictional scenario information supplied by the treating team; not medical guidance for real patients.