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Respite Care
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What is respite care?
How to get it?
Is there any help to pay for it?
How to find a provider?
Providers of respite care and associated services. If you click on a highlighted name, their details will open in a new window:
What is respite care?
If you are taking care of another person, both of you need a break from time to time, for the sake of your physical and mental wellbeing.
Respite care is any break from your job as a carer, whether it involves the person you care for going away for a few hours to a day centre; a few days' holiday for them in a residential centre; or someone coming into your home to look after them while you have some time for yourself. Sometimes, it is a change of scene rather than a break from the caring that is required, in which case a respite holiday which you can take with the person you care for, can be really beneficial
Ideally, respite care should be planned, giving both carer and cared-for a chance to consider the options and make a decision that suits both. Sometimes, life doesn't work out so neatly, though, and respite care has to be organised on an emergency basis - if the carer suddenly becomes ill, for example.
Planned respite care can be a good opportunity for the person you care for to receive rehabilitation or some form of complementary therapy, or just to widen their social circle and spend time in a different environment.
How to get it?
The law has been changed to recognise more fully the fact that carers, as well as those they care for, have needs. Just as anybody with a disability or long-term illness has the right to ask their local authority for an assessment of their needs, so too do carers. In fact, both should be considered together, so that a care plan is drawn up which recognises any support required by the carer in order to cope with their role.
Under the Carers Equal Opportunities Act 2004, the carer's right to work, study and keep up leisure pursuits as they want, must be considered when assessing the support that they require.
Needs assessments are generally carried out by an Occupational Therapist or qualified Social Worker: it will help if you give some thought before the assessment visit to what sort of support you need, so that they are aware of the demands placed on you by your caring role.
Although every carer is entitled to have their needs assessed, including the need for respite care, there is no statutory obligation for a local authority to provide it themselves. Attitudes towards the amount of care required and the degree to which it should be funded, are variable.
There is always a right of appeal if you are not happy with the decision reached by your local authority.
Is there any help to pay for it?
You may be entitled to financial help from your Local Authority to pay for respite care: this will depend on their policy, which does vary from council to council, and your financial situation. If you are eligible for support, the council may pay for the services; they may provide vouchers which can be redeemed for appropriate services; or you or the person you care for can choose to receive Direct Payments (click the link to read more: the page will open in a new browser window).
If the person you care for has significant health needs, then your local health authority may make a contribution. This will also depend on financing arrangements in place between social services and the local health trust.
There are also charities which provide respite care, or financial help to pay for it. It is probably a good idea to contact any charitable organisation associated with the medical condition / illness of the person you care for: they may provide support themselves, or they will be able to signpost you to alternative sources of aid. There are also various charities dedicated to the needs of carers, some of which run respite schemes or can help with finance.
How to find a provider
1. Support at home
If you are looking for a carer to come into your home for a few hours to look after the person you care for while you take a break, there are private care agencies who can help. Your social services department will have a list.
The United Kingdom Home Care Association Ltd (UKHCA) is the professional association for providers, including statutory and not-for-profit providers, as well as independent organisations. They have a Code of Practice for their 1500 - plus members across the United Kingdom, to ensure high standards of care.
Crossroads-Caring for Carers is a national charity which has schemes across the country to provide support for carers. Many of their local schemes don't make a charge, but there is usually a waiting list.
2. Day care for the person you care for
Your local social services may well provide day care services, where the person you care for can spend some time with other people, perhaps learn new skills or join organised activities, while you have a break. Meals and transport to and from the centre are usually also included.
Some organisations provide day care facilities for particular groups of people - for example, the Alzheimer's Society for people with dementia. Once again, it is a good idea to contact the relevant national organisation if you don't know about local facilities - they will be able to signpost you.
3. Short breaks
Among the possibilities for a few days' break, charities such as Leonard Cheshire offer facilities for respite stays in a supported environment, with nursing care and therapy as required. Organisations like Scope (for cerebral palsy) and the MS Society also provide some respite care facilities for people with those particular conditions.
Some nursing and residential care homes can provide respite care: once again, your local social services department should be able to let you know about this.
This link will take you to a list of useful resources for respite care
Remember - if you don't find the answer to your question here, you can always email us, and we'll do our best to help.