Respite Care
Care at home is often chosen because its allowing people to stay in their own home even when their care needs increases.
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What Is Respite Care?
Being a home carer for a loved one is an incredible thing to do, but it can be physically and mentally challenging at times. Short, regular breaks are highly encouraged to help you look after both your physical and mental health.
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Everybody needs a break some time - especially if you are caring for somebody else. That's why respite care is an important part to support you to take a break away for as long as its needed. Respite care minimises worrying and disruption in routine.
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Respite care is a short-term passage of care, often for one to two weeks, from a carer who is usually a family member. These respite breaks can be both planned or unplanned depending on circumstances, and can take place in the care recipients home.
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Whether it’s covering a two-week holiday, a short break, or needed because of sickness or a family emergency, we’re here when you need us. We offer one-to-one care from skilled professionals and trained carers.
This temporary arrangement is offered by trained carers for numerous care types including assisted living, residential care, dementia care and nursing care. Respite care is also available for elderly people or those that need extra support following an operation or illness.
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Caring for another person can be physically and mentally demanding, and much more than purely handling the day-to-day tasks. Especially when caring for long periods at a time, the emotional strain can take its toll. Respite care provides your main carer with a temporary break whilst ensuring your care needs are met. The types of respite care available will ensure that those receiving care will have their requirements met by our expert carers whilst you look after yourself.
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Depending on individual needs, our trusted and experienced home carers can visit whenever respite care is required, ensuring the care recipient feels secure, comfortable and well looked after during the required respite period.
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Different Types Of Respite Care
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Live-in care – where the carer lives in your house, offering support and company day and night
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Visiting care – if you need some extra support for a just a few hours each day or each week
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Day care centres – taking you out of your normal routine and placing the person receiving care in a day centre
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You might also need to arrange short-term care if you have to attend a family emergency or other commitments. Respite care ensures that the person you are supporting always has someone there to help them if you’re not around.
Live In Care Respite
We can arrange for live-in respite care whilst you have a break. This means much less disruption for your loved one and is easier to organise, especially if the care recipient is unwilling to leave their own home.
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A live-in carer will also take care of the house and domestic tasks whilst you’re away.
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If your loved one has more complex care needs, and requires someone to be available around the clock, live-in respite care provides peace of mind.The carer can take care of all tasks such as: domestic duties, personal care and even support with medication prompting where necessary.
Visiting Care
Visiting care are types of home care that can be arranged as a form of respite care. This is similar to Hourly care in which a carer can visit your loved one multiple times a day to help them with different tasks, cook meals and personal care needs.
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If your loved one have less complex needs, you can also consider a "sitting service". In these cases it can be arranged for a volunteer carer to come and keep your loved one company for few hours if they just need some companionship
Day Care Centres
Day care centres are typically used by those who just want to have the odd day off to visit their friends, socialise and run some errands. Day care centres may offer activities and personal care services such as hairdressing – so can be very beneficial to both the carer and care receiver.
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They are typically run by charities or local councils and aren’t always suitable for those with more complex needs such as dementia. You can find out more about your local day care centres from charities such as Age UK. You can also get a needs assessment to see if you qualify for funding.
We are with you all the way
When choosing Hearts Kind you are fully in control to make your own decision no matter what challenges you are facing, we'll be able to support every step of the way.
We are only a phone call away:
Accepting the help of a carer can be tough, and everyone processes it differently. We'll listen to you and your family, answer your questions and support you to choose whats best for you or your loved one.
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Your decision your choice:
As you know your strengths, you know what kind of care is best for you. We'll find a carer who is great match for you and you'll get the chance to view their profile, make contact with the carer then make a final decision through your Hearts Kind account.
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How To Get Started With Respite Care...
Give Us A Call
Our friendly team are here to help and are just a phone call away! We understand the first call may feel daunting but our team are here to assist you with any questions you may have. We'll never ask you to commit to anything, this is a chance for you to understand what your options are.
Meet Your Carer
We will arrange for you to meet with the carer(s) that we've matched with you, to ensure the match is correct for you.
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We pride ourselves on our quality care and experienced carers.
What is the cost of Respite care?
Costs for respite care can range from £650 a week for a visiting or ‘sitting’ service, and £1480+ per week for full-time or live–in care.
Care costs can also vary depending on the length of care required for your loved ones.
As with any type of care, the first step in considering financial options is to seek local authority funding. If your local authority has agreed to help, this may be in the form of services that they organise or by direct payments.
Direct payments can be used to pay for various services including paying home carers, funding a care home place or arranging breaks for both you and your loved one. If you’re assessed as ineligible for help from your local authority, you may still be able to access help from a benevolent fund or charity. You can find information about possible funding sources from local carers’ groups, your GP, social worker or health visitor.
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Will having a respite carer, affect my carer's allowances or other benefits?
When you are caring for someone else it is important that you get the opportunity to take regular breaks. As you the mine carer of your loved one, you need to be in good physical and emotional health to be able to care for them fully without it having a detrimental effect on your own wellbeing.
It is understandable that taking a break can also make you worry about your financial status.
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According to Age UK, it can be a complicated process so it’s a good idea to seek some advice from the Carer’s Allowance Unit on the government website, as while “The basic rule is that you can continue to receive your Carer’s Allowance for up to four weeks in any six-month period if you have a break from caring”, there are special rules that will need to be followed.
For more information, we recommend to visiting the Government website.
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What can be done during Respite care?
Your chosen respite carer is there to do all the things you normally do. They can live in your home to provide 24 hour care, or attend on a visiting basis.
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Your carer’s daily tasks could involve:​
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Personal care, including dressing, showering, and toileting
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Mobility support, helping your loved one move around the house
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Administering medication at the correct time
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Companionship Care and emotional support
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Cooking meals and fetching the food shopping
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Housekeeping, including washing and drying clothes
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Arranging visits out, for a break or to see family and friends
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Feeding and caring for pets if you have any
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Respite carer will follow the routines you or a loved one are used to. For those living with conditions such as dementia, this consistency of care is incredibly important and our care teams are trained to help them follow the routine they are comfortable with We ensure that our carers have all the skills needed to help your friend or relative feel supported in the short time you’re away.
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Arranging Respite Care
To start the process, give us a call and speak to a member of our team about any questions you may have.
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If you require council funding, contact your local social services team to arrange a care needs assessment.
This will establish what level of care your loved one needs and what type of care is best suited to meet those needs.
Having a care needs assessment can help you make sense of what type of care will be the most suitable for your loved one.
Local authorities also will be assessing the carer needs when requested. They may arrange one-to-one meeting, telephone or online discussion between the carer and one of their trained professionals. This would be considered based on the impact of the caring duties on the individual and their life, also support options would be considered and provide their decision in writing following the assessment.
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If the assessment determines that you have ‘eligible needs’, the council will be in contact with you to discuss what assistance may be available. This could be in the form of financial help or practical support.
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Even if you’re not eligible for support from your local authority, getting an assessment can still be valuable as they can put you in touch with other agencies such as voluntary organisations who may be able to help.
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