As well as looking after the people they care for, carers also need to manage their daily lives and look after their own wellbeing. Respite care is a crucial part of ensuring carers can combine their personal lives and their caring duties, and Bondcare are very proud to provide respite care across our network of care homes in the UK.
What is Respite Care?
Respite care is the term given for people taking a break from their caring responsibilities, with somebody else looking after the person you’re caring for for a short while. Respite care can range from a matter of hours to a few weeks – you might have an unavoidable appointment in a morning, for example, or you might be going abroad for a holiday.
Depending on the duration of the respite care, there are different options available. If it’s a matter of hours, then a qualified carer can come round and look after your loved one for a few hours. If respite care is required for days or weeks, then the person could move into a care home where they’ll be cared for until you return.
When Do I Need Respite Care and Why Is It Important?
Carers provide crucial support for vulnerable people, and it’s important that carers are looked after, too. Respite care is used for a variety of reasons; covering for carers when they have other business to attend to such as medical appointments or family commitments, or ensuring that a carer’s patient is looked after when the carer is taking a much-deserved holiday.
As well as being an important resource for the time when carers are unavailable, it’s also important that additional support is available to alleviate some of the pressure. Caring for someone requires round-the-clock availability, and like any job, this can take a toll on a person’s mental wellbeing if they don’t afford themselves some time off. Therefore, respite and recovery care is an important asset to each and every carer and patient; the carer can use the time to take a break or fulfil other obligations, and the patient will still receive the care, support and attention they require.
What Types of Care Are Offered on Respite Care?
Respite care covers a range of specialist care types, ensuring that people with a range of conditions and needs are looked after and cared for when their carer takes a break. Respite care is available in various forms, including:
- Respite care for dementia patients
- Respite care for disabled adults
- Respite care for adults with learning disabilities
- Respite care for the elderly
- Respite care with physiotherapy
No matter the length of the respite care, the person you care for will have all of their needs met and catered for for the duration.
How Long Can Respite Care Last?
Respite care typically lasts between one and two weeks, depending on your needs. Respite care can be made available whenever necessary, whether it’s planned in advance – such as a holiday – or an unplanned situation like a family emergency. The respite care will be provided by skilled, experienced professionals who will take care to continue the hard work of the usual carer, following all of the care receiver’s schedules and routines.
What is the Difference Between Respite Care and Hospice Care?
Respite care is provided mainly for the benefit of the carer – allowing them to take care of themselves or other aspects of their life without the person they care for losing that vital support.
Hospice care is provided for people with terminal illnesses, looking after them until the end of their life. This doesn’t mean that a person receiving hospice care is always confined to bed or has to stay in the hospice itself – people with incurable illnesses may often have spells of feeling well, and at these times they are allowed to leave the hospice temporarily.
When someone is in receipt of hospice care, all their needs are taken care of, from medical requirements to social fulfilment. This type of care is designed to give terminally ill people the best possible standard of living until they pass away.
Who Pays for Respite Care in a Nursing Home? Can You Get Free Respite Care?
Respite care is means-tested, so depending on your situation, you may be able to receive funding from your local council. The means testing can also include the person you care for, so it’s possible that you or they may have to provide a financial contribution to the respite care service.
Carers who work more than 35 hours a week and care for someone with certain benefits may be eligible for Carer’s Allowance. To make a claim for Carer’s Allowance, you need to contact the Carer’s Allowance Unit – you can do so by clicking here.
How Can I Arrange for Respite Care?
Respite care is often arranged as a result of a carer’s assessment. If the assessment of the carer or the person in your care shows that respite care is required, then your local council should arrange for respite care. If you regularly provide care for somebody, then you are entitled to a carer’s assessment.
You can apply for a needs assessment by clicking here – this will put you in contact with your local social services provider so that your requirements can be assessed.
Bondcare have care homes across the country where we can provide the highest standard of respite care. With qualified staff and warm, welcoming residential and nursing homes, we have the perfect environment to welcome the person you care for. You can browse our respite care homes below – please contact your local Bondcare care home to find out more about our respite care services.