FOR the past five years I have been looking after my mother, who has senile dementia.

The stresses and strains of caring for her make it vital for my husband and I, along with the rest of my family, to have a break now and then.

However, getting a break is not so easy.

My mother does not like going into rest homes even for short periods and I have been looking for someone to stay with her in our own home but such a service is not available.

The local authority has new funding to provide flexible short-term breaks for carers on the condition that they seek the views of carers on what services they need locally.

I would urge Citizen readers who are looking after a friend or relative to do what I have done and contact their local authority to tell them what they need in order to get a break.

Name and address supplied.

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