When you can’t be there, our carers can
Loneliness can be an unwelcome guest, especially during this festive holiday.
At Helping Hands, we understand the importance of keeping loneliness at bay. As the festive season draws near, it’s a time when the joy of togetherness and celebration fills our hearts. However, it’s important to acknowledge that not everyone is fortunate enough to share this warmth with loved ones. Respite care is a solution that brings comfort and companionship to those who need it, allowing families to enjoy the holiday season with peace of mind. It’s not just about receiving support; respite care allows us to create a supportive and respectable environment where your loved one feels comfortable and safe.
It’s ultimately a bridge that connects families during the holidays; making sure that nobody feels alone, even when circumstances keep you apart. At Helping Hands, we welcome you to explore the benefits of respite care, not as a service but as a unique experience to build cherished memories, surrounded by kindness, warmth, and festivities. Because, at the end of the day, nobody should have to face loneliness during the most wonderful time of the year.
What does a respite carer do?
A respite carer’s primary aim is to ensure you continue getting the support you need so that you can maintain your independence at home. At Helping Hands, every single one of our compassionate carers has received our industry-leading training, which means they can provide seamless home care at a moment’s notice.
Personal care
Your domiciliary carer can provide discreet help with routines such as toileting and getting dressed
Housekeeping
Your carer can help around your home with chores such as cleaning, doing the laundry and tidying up
Mobility support at home
All of our carers are trained to provide mobility support, so can help you to move around your home
Light medical support
Your carer can assist with catheter care, PEG feeding and suppositories, to name just a few
Ongoing companionship
A carer can pop round for a cup of tea or spend an evening with you watching your favourite film
Help getting out the home
Whether you want to head out into your community, go shopping or visit loved ones, a carer can go with you
Preparing meals
Your carer can prepare nutritious meals and snacks and drinks at the times that best suit you
Running errands
From picking up your prescription for you to helping with the bills, your carer can provide errand support
I was worried about leaving my loved one with a stranger. Once we met our carer those worries were soon gone. The carer was brilliant and very knowledgeable, which put me at ease in going away.
Christina
Start receiving respite care in under 24 hours!
Need emergency support? We endeavour to offer expert home help within 24 hours.
From the moment you call our friendly customer support team, we’ll make it our priority to ensure you get the respite support you need as quickly as possible, for a minimum seven-day period.
Fully regulated Visiting and Live-in Care
Visiting and Live in Care
We are a fully regulated home care provider, closely monitored by the Care Quality Commission
Independent inspections
Regular inspections, including unannounced visits, give you peace of mind that we are committed to doing what we say we will do.
Fully vetted carers
We have a robust recruitment processes in place and ensure all necessary checks are carried out before we employ someone to work at Helping Hands. We take the time to make sure we only employ the right people.
Consistently meet high standards of care
We must consistently show that we meet the highest standards of care and provide safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led services.
Guaranteed training and development
All our employers are trained to nationally-recognised standards before they work unsupervised with our customers. We provide ongoing professional development and support so our carers remain competent and safe to carry out their role.
The benefits of respite care at home
Having respite care at home means you can receive continuous, convenient support in the place you love the most.
At Helping Hands, we firmly believe that home is the best place to receive the care that you need. We’ve been specialising in compassionate, person-centred home care since 1989, so it’s safe to say we’re experts when it comes to providing meaningful support that truly makes a difference. Here are just some of the many benefits of respite care at home:
Retain your independence
Respite care at home allows you to keep living life on your own terms, meaning you can continue doing the activities and routines you enjoy
Support when you most need it
Whether you’ve had an accident, are recovering from surgery or have been discharged from hospital, we’ll support you in your hour of need
Valuable rest for your normal carer
Respite care allows your normal carer to take a well-deserved break, meaning that when they return they’ll be refreshed and re-energised
Personalised support
We know that you might like things to be done in a certain way, so we’ll make sure you continue to get the type of home care you’re used to
Maintain routines and hobbies
You’ll be able to continue enjoying your favourite routines and hobbies without worrying about being left unsupported or isolated
Spend more time with loved ones
Staying at home for respite care means you’ll still be able to see loved ones whenever you wish, including visiting them with the help of your carer
What our customers are saying
Read some of the Trustpilot reviews that our wonderful customers are leaving us:
Emergency respite care
Need emergency care? We can provide you with a respite carer within 24 hours.
At Helping Hands, we’ve got over 30 years’ experience in providing elderly people with urgent support at the times they need it most.
If you find yourself requiring immediate care at home, we’re here to help you out. Your local care team will generally be able to send one of our wonderful carers to you at home within 24 hours of your call, ensuring minimal disruption to your routines. What’s more, we won’t cut any corners – you’ll still receive the same exceptional support that our customers have come to expect from Helping Hands.
The different types of respite care
Respite care provides your main carer with a temporary break while ensuring your care needs are met. We offer respite care on both a visiting and live-in basis; you can find out more about each type below.
Visiting care
Live-in care
Cost of respite care
Our respite care prices will vary depending on your personal needs and location, but we’ll always make sure your costs are fully transparent and easy to understand.
Visiting care pricing
From £32.40 per hour
Live-in care pricing
From £345 per day
When to consider respite care
Respite care is ideal for times when you need short-term help. We only provide care at home, because we believe that that’s the best place to receive the support you need. Having respite care at home offers a number of benefits that you simply won’t get if you choose to move into residential care. Here are some of the many reasons why our customers opt for care at home:
You can remain in the comfort of your own home
You have full control over your meal times and preferences
One-to-one, 24-hour care from your own dedicated carer
You can continue with your preferred lifestyle and routines
Your friends and family can visit as much as they like
Helping Hands provided cover while I was away. I felt reassured that all was well in my absence, and on my return Mum looked happy and the house had been cleaned and tidied for me.
Kathleen
How respite care can help
At Helping Hands, we know that a brilliant carer can make all the difference to your life.
With Helping Hands, you can be assured of receiving support from the very best carers available. We’re extremely selective about who we recruit to our local care teams – we’ll only ever hire candidates who possess naturally kind and empathetic personalities, and who share our commitment to providing first-rate care day in, day out.
All of our carers undergo extensive background checks before joining us, as well as receiving comprehensive, industry-leading training that equips them to provide a wide range of respite care services to people with varying needs and preferences.
Respite care for disabled young adults
A young adult living with a disability can experience many challenges that are different than those faced by older people. Coming to terms with these challenges can be quite an emotional process, particularly for those who have acquired their disability later in life. Our wonderful carers are trained in providing physical, emotional and practical respite care to younger adults (over the age of 18) living with a range of disabilities.
3 simple steps…
How to organise care
Speak to our team
Our friendly, knowledgeable team can answer your questions and talk you through your options. We are available 7 days a week.
Book a free care assessment
Your local Helping Hands care manager will visit you to understand your needs and preferences and discuss how we can help. We can visit you at home, in hospital or even a care home to carry out the care assessment.
Confirm your care package
We create a tailored care plan for you to review. Once you’ve agreed the plan, we can organise care in as little as 24 hours.
Better than a care agency
Helping Hands are a private care provider, which means that unlike an average home care agency, our service is fully managed and overseen by a dedicated team of senior carers and managers.
Respite care FAQs
Respite care is a temporary package of care available immediately when you need it. Whether it is planned or unplanned, our carers are able to support you with household duties, companionship and personal care.
Carers’ breaks are required when a regular carer takes a break from caring, allowing them to relax and take time for themselves. Here, a professional carer will take over your regular duties, giving you piece of mind that your loved one is being well looked after.
If you think you could benefit from respite care, please get in touch with a member of our team who will be happy to assist you in arranging respite care; whether it is for yourself, a family member or to take a break.
A respite carer can help you with a number of tasks, including nursing care, personal care, administering medication, companionship, general housekeeping and more. We’ll take the time to listen to your needs and fully understand your circumstances so that we can ensure your respite carer is giving you exactly the type of support that you’re looking for.
Respite care differs from assisted living in that it is is a temporary care solution, whereas assisted living is a permanent care arrangement.
Respite care can last for anything from a few days up to a month, and sometimes even longer. For visiting care, typically anything over five weeks becomes ongoing care, whilst live-in care becomes ongoing care after eight weeks. If you or your loved one do end up requiring care beyond your initial term, your local care manager will always be happy to help arrange a more permanent support solution.
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, although there are special rules that will need to be followed. For more information, we recommend visiting the Government website.