Can I Get Respite Care At Home?

When you are a carer, looking after a loved one can be extremely demanding. It is vital to take regular breaks from your caring responsibilities to recharge. Respite care provides carers with a much-needed rest, while the person you care for is looked after temporarily by someone else. This could take place in your own home, allowing your loved one to stay in familiar surroundings. Here at KYN, we understand the challenges faced by carers and provide compassionate respite care. Our person-centred approach allows us to get to know each individual, catering to their unique needs. Read on to find out more about respite care and how it could benefit you and your loved one.

What is Respite Care?

Respite care gives family carers a break from their regular caring duties. It involves arranging for a professional care provider to look after the person you care for, for a short period of time. This allows you to take some time for yourself, while your loved one continues to receive high-quality care tailored to suit their needs. There are several types of respite care:

Care Home Respite

With care home respite, your loved one temporarily stays in a care home or nursing home, where they receive 24/7 care. The length of the respite break could range from a weekend to several weeks. Care home respite allows carers to go away without worrying, knowing their loved one is safe and cared for.

Respite at Home

Respite care can also take place in your own home, with a professional carer coming to provide in-home support. This type of respite care means your loved one can remain comfortable in familiar home surroundings. With at-home respite, you don't need to worry about the stress of moving your loved one or transporting their belongings.

Day Care Respite

Day care respite involves your loved one spending set days per week at a day care centre. Here they can take part in therapeutic activities and socialise with others, while giving family carers a regular short break each week. Day respite care enables your loved one to still spend nights at home.

Emergency Respite

If you experience an emergency situation where you are suddenly unable to provide care, emergency respite services can step in. Emergency respite care provides immediate, short-term care until you are able to resume your caring role or put longer-term arrangements in place.

How Do I Arrange Respite Care?

If you feel respite care could benefit you, consider discussing options with your loved one and their healthcare professionals. They can advise on the most suitable type of respite care based on your loved one's needs. To arrange respite, get in touch with care providers in your local area to discuss your requirements. Be clear on the level of care your loved one needs and what you hope respite will achieve. Care homes like KYN may offer private respite suites, allowing your loved one a more homely, personalised experience. When searching for respite care, the Care Quality Commission website lets you view ratings and inspection reports for care services in your vicinity. This helps ensure you select a high-quality provider. Visiting potential respite care providers also gives you a chance to view the facilities and meet the care team.

Who Pays For Respite Care?

The cost of respite care varies depending on the type and length of the respite break. In some cases, your local council or trust may cover the costs after conducting a financial assessment. They will determine if they will pay for replacement care and whether the person you care for needs to contribute. If your loved one stays in a care home or has a paid carer come to their home while you're away, the council may charge them for this replacement care. They may also charge you for any specific support you receive. If the council or trust does not cover the costs, you may choose to pay for respite care yourself. The person you care for could use their benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment or Attendance Allowance, to help cover the expenses. Additionally, there are several organisations that offer grants to help pay for respite breaks. These include:

• Turn2us  
• Carers Trust  
• The Respite Association  
• Revitalise  
• The Family Holiday Association  
• The Ogilvie Charities  
• The League of Helping Hand  
• The Victoria Convalescent Trust   (England and Wales)
• The 3H Foundation   (England)
• Caring Breaks   (Northern Ireland)
• Shared Care Scotland short break funds.  

To apply for these grants, you may need a referral or assistance from a professional such as a GP, nurse, or social worker. It's worth exploring these options to help make respite care more affordable and accessible.

What Are The Benefits of Respite Care?

Quality respite care offers numerous benefits, both for caregivers and care recipients:

For Carers:

• Alleviates stress and physical exhaustion from continuous caring
• Provides an opportunity to focus on your own health, relationships and interests
• Allows you to have a complete break knowing your loved one is safe and cared for
• Can improve mental health, sleep and overall well being
• Helps avoid caregiver burnout so you can continue in your caring role long-term

For Care Recipients:

• Social interaction and mental stimulation from activities at daycare or in a care home
• Continuity of high-quality, person-centred care tailored to their changing needs
• Chance to try a residential care setting and meet potential future carers
• Allows them to see you taking steps to look after your own wellbeing
• Opportunity to give feedback about ideal care approaches that work best for them

Luxury Respite Care with KYN

Here at KYN, we provide respite care service in our beautifully appointed care homes across London and the South East. Our respite suites allow guests to benefit from our award-winning hospitality, outstanding cuisine and stimulating activities during their stay. To find out more about respite care and support with KYN, contact us today or call our friendly team on +44 (0) 20 3535 1923.