Why respite matters
Caring without breaks increases the risk of carer breakdown, which ultimately affects the person being cared for as well as the carer. Planned respite is better than emergency respite, but both matter. Building respite into a care arrangement from the start is more sustainable than waiting for crisis.
Types of respite care
The main types of respite are: residential respite (a short stay in a care home), home-based respite (a carer comes to the home so the family carer can leave), day centre attendance, and overnight sitting services. Each suits different situations and the right choice depends on the person being cared for as well as the family carer.
Emergency respite
For emergency respite, the local authority adult social care team is the first point of contact. Some areas have dedicated emergency respite services; others rely on negotiating short-notice placements with local care homes. Outcomes vary significantly by area, so it is worth knowing in advance who to call.
Funded respite
A carer’s assessment can result in funded respite for the family carer. The person being cared for may also be eligible for short-term funded placements through their care package. Both routes are worth exploring — they are not mutually exclusive.
Arranging planned respite
Planned respite typically means booking a short stay at a local care home. Ask the home about how they manage the transition back — what handover information they need, how they help the person settle in, and what they do if behaviour becomes unsettled. Prepare the person for a temporary change of environment with as much notice as possible.
Connecting to a carer’s assessment
See The Family Carer Option for more on carer’s assessments and the entitlements that come with them.