What is respite home care?
Caring for a loved one is a role that demands a lot of commitment and selflessness and can take up a lot of emotional and physical energy. It’s understandable that at times you’ll need a break in order to rest and recuperate. In fact, it’s important that you take time for yourself every now and then in order to relax and ensure that you can continue to provide the high-quality care that your loved one requires.

However, the prospect of leaving your loved one whilst you take a short break from your role or go on holiday can be a daunting one as you want to ensure that your loved one is still well cared for. During this time, you may consider finding a short-term, part-time or live-in carer to care for your loved one whilst you’re away.

What does respite care involve?
Respite care ensures that your loved one’s care and support needs are still met in your absence. This can be less disruptive than putting your loved one into temporary residential care as it means routines continue and that your loved one can remain in familiar surroundings with their local support system.

Respite care can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks depending on your particular needs. Of course, respite care isn’t only available for when you need a break – you can also arrange emergency respite care if you become ill or have to go into hospital at short notice. Respite care can also be invaluable if you and your loved one want to try out home care for a short period to see whether it works for you.