What Is Respite Care?

Caring for a loved one can be a rewarding and relationship-strengthening experience. However, it's important to take regular breaks to look after your own mental and physical health. Respite care can provide much-needed temporary relief for full-time caregivers and those requiring support with their care needs.

In-home respite care involves a carer or nurse staying with the individual in their home or making daily visits. Alternatively, the person in need of support can move to a care home for a short-term stay. This is called residential respite care or short stay care.

In this guide, we'll discuss what respite care is and what kinds of respite care are available. We’ll also explain how to make a respite care plan.

What Does Respite Care Mean?

Respite care means providing temporary relief to caregivers of individuals (or the individuals themselves) who need daily care or supervision.

It allows carers to take a short break from their daily responsibilities to rest, recharge or attend to personal matters. It offers the individual a break too, whilst affording carers peace of mind that their loved ones are in safe hands.

Short-stay respite breaks may last anywhere from one day to several weeks. Respite care is also helpful for those who usually live alone but would benefit from short-term care. For example, while recovering from a medical condition. They can enjoy the company of others in a safe environment where their care needs will be met.

Respite care for elderly people, or anyone who needs assistance with day-to-day living, can be arranged in advance. For example, when a caregiver plans to take time off to go on holiday. It can also be organised at short notice in an emergency.

What Is Emergency Respite Care?

Emergency respite care refers to respite care that is arranged at short notice (e.g. on the same day). It aims to provide care for those that cannot live independently when their usual carer suddenly becomes unavailable. This is usually due to unforeseen personal circumstances, such as:

• Illness
• Injury
• Bereavement
• A family emergency
• Travel delays

Emergency respite care may be provided in the individual's own home or at a care home.

How Much Does Respite Care Cost?

The cost of respite care can vary widely according to several factors, such as:

• Which type of respite care you choose (visiting care, live-in or residential)
• The duration of the respite break
• The level of support required (help with day-to-day living or more specialised nursing and medical care)

Care home respite costs may also differ depending on the home itself and its location. Emergency respite care, required at short notice, can be more expensive than planned respite breaks.

What Types of Respite Care Are There?

There are various kinds of respite care, each with its own advantages. The right type of respite care for you will depend on your personal circumstances and preferences. The two main types of respite care are in-home respite care and residential respite care.

In-Home Respite Care

In-home respite care, also known as homecare, involves a trained carer or nurse visiting the individual's house. They can help with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing and eating. They may also take on light household chores such as preparing meals and grocery shopping.

The carer may visit the home daily or stay overnight in the person’s home. For those that require round-the-clock assistance, live-in respite care or residential respite care may be more appropriate.

Residential Respite Care

With residential respite care, the individual stays in a care home temporarily while their usual caregiver is away. Depending on the level of care required, this could be either a residential home or a nursing home. Respite care breaks in a care home have many benefits, including:

• Trained carers on call 24/7
• Socialisation opportunities with other residents
• Home-cooked meals, snacks and drinks provided throughout the day
• The chance to take part in organised activities and go on outings

Respite care also provides an opportunity to experience a care home if you’re considering full-time residential living. Before moving in, you can participate in life at the home and get to know the carers and residents.

To find a care home with respite care vacancies, search online for "respite care near me". Take your time choosing the residence that's right for your loved one. Visit the home, request brochures and ask questions to find out as much information as you can. Your loved one should enjoy their respite break in an environment where they feel safe and supported.

How to Make a Respite Care Plan

If you care for your loved one full-time, it's important to schedule regular respite breaks. You should also have a respite care plan in place for emergencies.

A respite care plan is a document or guide designed to help carers understand your loved one’s needs. The plan should include:

• Details of any past or present medical needs, allergies, food intolerances and medications
• Daily care and routines: usual sleep, wake and meal times, any tasks they require assistance with (e.g. dressing, bathing or walking)
• Any related risks (e.g. health, mobilising, falls, eating)
• Their interests, hobbies, favourite foods and activity ideas
• Emergency contact details for family members, their doctor and other healthcare providers

If an individual needs at-home or residential care, the care provider will meet with them (or their loved ones) and carry out a care assessment. They will then devise a care plan to ensure the individual's care needs are properly identified and met. This allows the carer or home to provide appropriate support, ensuring your loved one feels comfortable and secure while you’re not around.  

Contact KYN for Exquisite Residential Respite Care

For exquisite respite care in London and the South East, contact KYN today. Our luxury care homes are beautiful, stimulating and enriching environments in which to enjoy temporary care. Our priority is to enhance the lives of everyone who calls KYN their home, whether for a short- or long-term stay.

During a respite break, our short-term residents can immerse themselves in life at KYN and enjoy a varied, life-enriching programme of cultural and social activities. Our experienced carers get to know each resident personally, providing fully individualised, holistic care suited to their specific needs.

For more information, fill in our enquiry form to request a brochure or arrange a visit. You can also call us on +44 (0) 20 3535 1923 or email enquiries@kyn.co.uk.