Respite care are services that allow carers to take a break from looking after a family member, relative or any other person being cared for while they are cared for by someone else.
Taking a break from caring allows you to take a step back for a day to recharge your batteries, spend time with friends and family or enable you to go on holiday with or without the person you care for.
How you use the time is up to you, but it is important to take a break if you feel that you need to.
For people receiving support, respite care can give a change of scenery and the opportunity to get out and about, meet other people and take part in activities in the community.
Respite care is an important service because the responsibility of caring for someone else can be overwhelming, stressful and tiring.
It allows carers to take some of that pressure off, safe in the knowledge someone else will look after their loved one.
Respite care can be provided in many ways, and as many people prefer to be looked after in their own homes, it can be provided to people in the comfort of their own house.
Arranging respite care
Respite care can be arranged through your local council, by contacting a charity or by using a private home care provider.
Depending on the option, you may only have to pay some of the costs, get services for free or pay for all the fees yourself.
Help with respite care from social services
Your local council might fund your respite care through its social services. They can assess you and the person being cared for to determine if they should provide respite care.
Respite services are means-tested, and you may have to contribute to some or all of the costs.
Carer’s assessment
You are entitled to a Carer’s Assessment if you regularly provide a significant amount of care for someone. This comes under the Care Act 2014.
If social services conclude that you need respite in your caring role, they will write a personalised plan outlining what your needs are and how they will be met.
This can include getting someone else to take over your caring role for a short time, training or help with gardening and work around the house.
It may include a personal budget, which is a set amount of money to help you meet your needs.
To get an assessment, get in touch with your local adult social services. The assessment is free and available to anyone over 18.
The person being cared for may have their respite care funded by local authorities, determined by a separate needs assessment. Both can be done at the same time.
Needs assessment
The person being cared for could get their respite care funded by their local council as a result of a needs assessment.
During the assessment, a social worker or other professional from the council will ask questions to understand how the person being cared for is coping with daily life.
Paying for respite care
Paying for care can be expensive and every bit of financial support helps, which is why it is advisable to request an assessment from your local social services.
Whether the council will help you with respite costs depends on your savings and income, which will be determined through a financial assessment.
This is done after the carer’s assessment or needs assessment.
You can find detailed information about paying for care here.
For information about benefits you may be able to claim to help with costs, click here.
What are the different types of respite care?
Depending on the needs of the carer and the person being cared for, respite care can be provided in a number of ways.
For example, the different options can be provided short-term or on a regular basis from home care providers, care homes or a day centre.
The person being cared for may have a social worker visit them in their home for a few hours or using a short stay service which many care homes offer.
Respite care options include:
- Help at home from a home care provider
- Day care centres
- Short stays at residential homes
- Respite holidays
- Sitting services
- Help from friends and family
Respite care from home care providers
Many home care providers offer respite care, and some can look after your loved one for 24-hours a day through live-in care if required.
A paid carer can visit for short periods of time one day a week to allow you some time off or even for a week if you want to go on holiday.
Your local council may fund home care provision for the person in need of care, determined by a needs assessment.
Day care centres
It can be difficult for some people with care needs to meet others outside their homes to socialise or take part in activities.
A day care centre is an opportunity for the person being cared for to get involved in the community and enables the carer to take a break.
The person you care for may have their day centre visit paid for by the council as a result of a needs assessment.
Short stays in care homes
Many care homes across the UK provide short-term respite care and gives the person being cared for access to residential or nursing care while you take a break.
Respite holidays
A respite holiday enables the carer and the person they care for to escape daily life for a period of time.
Charities such as MindforYou enable people living with dementia and their carer to enjoy some time away together.
Another charity, Family Holiday Association, offers day trips and short trips to holiday locations and can provide grants to help families with low incomes with holiday costs.
To be offered help you need to be referred by other professionals, such as a GP, social worker or a welfare agent.
Sitting service
A sitting service involves a trained volunteer who visits the person being cared for in their home and provides company for a few hours, usually free of charge.
Royal Voluntary Service is an example of a charity that provides sitting services, which can give carers some well-deserved respite.
Respite care from family and friends
If you look after someone and have relatives living nearby, it might be an option to ask them to visit the person you care for or move into their home for a while.
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