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What is respite care?
Respite care is a short break away from your carer, which provides a rest for yourself and your carer. If you are being cared for in your home because of illness, disability or frailty, your Social Services Department may be able to offer respite care services to support your carer to continue their caring role.
Respite care can take place in a variety of settings. It might be for a few hours a day at a day centre; or for a few days, or a couple of weeks in a residential home or nursing home or living with an approved support family in some areas. A sitting service at home can also sometimes be arranged.
How does it work?
Your Social Services Department will have criteria for the services it provides. They can offer advice and information or arrange an assessment of your or your carers needs at home. Social services will normally have a charging policy for home care and residential care services. Costs will usually depend on your benefits, savings, or income.
Under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970, the Local Authority has a duty to provide welfare services that include the provision of a holiday for people with disabilities.
Your Social Services department may also be able to put you in touch with voluntary organisations that may also be able to offer respite care services.
Some voluntary organisations for specific health conditions have their own holiday homes (e.g. Diabetes UK, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Arthritis Care).
