Although rewarding in many ways, caring for a loved one can be emotionally and physically challenging, and it’s more than likely you’ll reach a point when you could really do with some time out.
Respite care offers alternative support, typically on a short-term basis, allowing carers to take a break from their care duties. Whether you use the time to recharge your batteries, spend time with friends and family or even go on holiday, it’s important to take a break if you feel that you need to.
Respite care can also benefit the person receiving support too; offering 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 can be provided in many ways, and in a variety of different settings.
Arranging respite care
It’s possible to arrange respite care through your local council, by contacting a charity or by using a private home care provider.
How you arrange respite care will determine how much you pay towards the services, with some options being free and others requiring you to pay towards the services or cover the whole cost.
Help with respite care from social services
In some cases, local councils are able to fund 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
If you regularly provide a significant amount of care for someone, you are entitled to a carer’s assessment. This is outlined under the Care Act 2014.
This assessment will be carried out by a member of the council, and they’ll ask you questions about how you’re coping with your role as a carer. It’s important that you’re as honest as you can be during this assessment; remember that sharing anything you are struggling with is not letting the person you care for down, instead it will ensure that you’re both getting the care and support you deserve.
If it’s decided that you would benefit from respite in your caring role, a personalised plan will be created which will outline 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, as well as other forms of support such as additional training in providing care or help with work around the house or garden.
Your plan may also 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.
Needs assessment
If you are the person receiving care, it’s possible to have respite care funded by your local council as a result of a needs assessment.
During the assessment, a social worker or another professional from the council will ask questions to understand how you are managing everyday life, including things like finances as well as physical and emotional wellbeing. Again, you should be as open as you can to ensure you have access to the best possible quality of care.
A needs assessment can usually be carried out at the same time as a carer’s assessment.
Paying for respite care
Whether the council will help you with respite costs depends on your savings and income, which will be determined through a financial assessment.
Paying for care can be expensive and every bit of financial support helps, so it’s a good idea to request an assessment from your local social services whether you think you’re likely to be eligible or not.
This should be done after the carer’s assessment and/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 your needs as a carer, as well as the needs of the person you support, respite care can be provided in a number of ways.
For example, it could be over a short period of time on a one-off basis, or planned regularly, such as once a week.
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 will provide care to meet your loved one’s needs from the comfort of their home.
A paid carer will visit the home as often as required, from a few hours per day to 24-hours a day through live-in care.
This can also be arranged as often as you like. For example, one day or a week on an ongoing basis or for one continuous week whilst you go on holiday.
Day care centres
For people receiving care, life can sometimes be quite isolating, and it may be difficult for them to meet others outside their home 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 whilst also making it possible for the carer to take a break.
Short stays in care homes
Many care homes across the UK provide short-term respite care, giving the person being cared for access to residential or nursing care while you take a break.
As well as offering peace of mind that your loved one has round-the-clock care, a temporary stay in a care home may be a good idea if you’re worried about the future and wondering if residential care is a good option. Respite care can provide an insight into how a care home works and give the person receiving care a chance to see what it’s like to live there.
You can use the filter on carehome.co.uk to find care homes that offer respite care in your area here.
Respite holidays
A respite holiday enables the carer and the person they care for to escape daily life for a period of time.
There are a range of organisations and charities across the UK which offer respite holidays, including:
- MindforYou – enables people living with dementia and their carer to enjoy some time away together.
- 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 through these services, you usually need to be referred by other professionals, such as a GP or social worker.
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 care for a loved one and are fortunate enough to 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.
This will give you the chance to have some time away without the worry of arranging, and potentially paying for, alternative formal care.
However you choose to do it, respite care is essential to maintaining your wellbeing as a carer. Seeking the right support will mean that you can continue to provide the best possible care to your loved one.
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