In home respite care, for when you’re in a need of a break
Respite care is a short-term passage of care, often for one to two weeks, from a carer who is different from your usual provider. These respite breaks can be both planned or unplanned depending on circumstances, and can take place in your own home.
Everybody needs some time for themselves, even more so when they care for someone else. This is where respite care can be integral to you and your carer’s routine. Typically, this will be done to give your current carer a well-needed break from their duties.
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 trained on our Skills for Care endorsed training programme.
With 30 years’ experience, our team of dedicated carers are all trained to provide the highest standard of care possible. We’re here to make sure the person you care for has the right support, even if you’re not around. As we’re regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), you can rest assured that your loved one is safe and has everything they need. Whether respite care is for disabled people, companionship or condition led care, we are able to support you every step of the way. We will give you information and advice throughout and aid you when you’re arranging respite care to get a change of scenery.
Call me back now
I was worried about leaving my husband 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, a Helping Hands customer
What is respite care?
Respite care is temporary care for the elderly or individuals when their normal carers are not available. Respite care, or a carers respite, is typically used as part of recovery after an accident, illness or surgery when regular carers need a break, or additional specialised support is required.
This temporary arrangement is offered by trained carers for numerous care types including assisted living, residential care, types of dementia care and nursing care. Respite care is also available for elderly people or those that need extra support following an operation or illness. While regular carers take a well-earned break from the demanding duties of being a full-time carer, our team are on hand to help. This type of care is available to keep the recipient at home and without disturbing their routine or taking them from their familiar surroundings. The person you look after will receive expert temporary care at home instead of in a care home.
Unlike an average homecare agency, our service is fully managed, and overseen by a dedicated team of senior carers and managers.
The different types of respite care:
- Live-in care – where the carer lives in your house, offering support and company day and night
- Visiting care – if you need some extra support for a just a few hours each day or each week
- Day care centres – taking you out of your normal routine and placing the person receiving care in a day centre
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. With our expert carer assessments in place, we are able to provide the highest quality respite care breaks for carers, friends and family.
Helping Hands provided cover whilst 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 from Leicestershire
What is the cost of respite care?
If you’re in need of a carer respite or your primary carer has let you down, we can provide care on a temporary basis for you. We pride ourselves on offering prices which are clear and up-front, without any hidden costs. To help cover the costs and pay for respite care, it would be worth looking into whether you are entitled to a carers’ allowance from your local council.
Live-in care
Live-in care can be arranged for a minimum of two weeks. The prices start from £270 per day for a unique package of support with a dedicated live-in carer able to help with standard visiting and elderly care, up to more complex conditions such as dementia care. This price includes having a locally based manager to arrange and coordinate the support you receive and handle any queries or concerns.
If you need live-in care for more than 28 days, our weekly prices for live-in care apply.
Read more about what live in care covers here.
Visiting care
- Prices start from £20 per hour for one-to-one personal home care
- Flexible costs for visits lasting 30, 45 or 60 minutes
- Prices depend on your location and specific care needs, with differences for overnight care and support provided during weekends and bank holidays
- Call-out fee of £3.50 per visit to cover travel costs
For a full quote which takes into account your individual needs and priorities, call us today to discuss this. Our knowledgeable and friendly team is here seven days a week to talk to you and walk through your options.
Direct payments
We can accept direct payments for your care if you’re receiving social care funding. This is completed through your local authority following a financial assessment and having opted for this to be paid directly to you.
Will having a carer respite affect my carer’s allowances or other benefits?
When you are caring for someone else it is essential that you get the opportunity to take regular breaks; after all, 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. However, taking a break can also make you worry about your financial status; after all, if you’re not caring for the person, does that mean you can still receive your carer’s allowance and other benefits?
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 visiting the Government website.
What does a respite carer do?
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 – your care plan is tailored completely to your needs. An individual support plan is created before any care commences to ensure our carers meet all of your requirements.
Your carer’s daily tasks could involve:
- Nursing care needs, such as catheter or continence support
- Personal care, including dressing, showering, and toileting
- Mobility support, helping your loved one move around the house
- Administering medication at the correct times
- Ongoing companionship and emotional support
- Cooking meals and fetching the food shopping
- Housekeeping, including washing and drying clothes
- Arranging visits out, for a break or to see family and friends
- Feeding and caring for pets if you have any
Respite carers also 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. In being members of the Dementia Action Alliance, we’re constantly striving for the best possible support for people with dementia or alzheimers disease. Our care teams are trained to help them follow the routine they are comfortable with.
Our respite carers all undertake extensive training. This training occurs at one of our regional training centres or at one of our local visiting care branches. 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.
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. If you simply want to know more about the service, please get in touch.
We will arrange a no-obligation home meeting, giving you the chance to talk through your package of care. During this time, you will be able to give an insight into your preferences for a carer which we will work hard to meet. We help to match you with a fully trained carer who fits into your life and respects your space and dignity at all times.
Whether your regular carer is going away or you need support following an operation, we can tailor a care package to suit you.
We cannot speak highly enough of our carer and of the way Helping Hands arranged this. I would have no hesitation of in going back to Helpings Hands when I need to have another respite.
Christina, a Helping Hands customer
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.
Other people are interested in...
We’re here seven days a week to talk through your home care needs and find the best option for you. Call 03300376958 or request a callback and we will call you.
Page reviewed by Louise Bradley, Regional Care Director on October 26, 2021
