What is Respite Care? A Complete Guide for Families and Caregivers

What is Respite Care?

Respite Care is a short-term package of care that typically lasts from 1-6 weeks.

The primary purpose of respite care is to provide temporary relief to caregivers, allowing them a chance to rest while ensuring that their loved ones continue to receive quality care. Caring for a loved one can be fulfilling, but it can also be overwhelming. There are various situations in which full-time caregivers may require respite, such as:

• Planned Breaks/Holidays: Scheduled breaks and holidays are essential for maintaining good health and well-being. Taking time to rest and recharge is important for overall wellness.
• Personal Healthcare Needs: Caregivers may become unwell and may not always be able to fulfill their caregiving duties.

Where is Respite Care Provided?

Short-term respite care can be offered in different settings, either in the comfort of an individual's own home or in a facility such as a care home or nursing home. Respite care comes in various forms, catering to diverse needs and preferences. Some common types of respite care include:

Home Care: Home care services can be provided in the comfort of your loved one's own home. The frequency and duration of visits can be customised to meet their specific needs. This option is ideal for families who require assistance with daily caregiving responsibilities while they recharge.

Live-in Care: Live-in care involves a trained caregiver staying in your home to provide round-the-clock support and assistance during your respite period. This option is suitable for individuals with significant care needs who prefer to remain in their own homes rather than temporarily relocating to a care or nursing home.

Residential Care Home: Respite care in a residential care home involves an individual temporarily moving into a facility where trained caregivers provide around-the-clock care. During their short stay, the care home offers meals, activities, and various levels of care to ensure the individual's comfort and well-being.

Nursing Home: Short-term respite care in a nursing home is similar to that in a residential care home, but it includes a Registered Nurse on duty at all times to support individuals with nursing needs.

Adult Day Centres: These centres offer structured programs and activities for older adults and individuals with disabilities in a group setting. They provide social interaction, meals, and personal care services.

Who needs Respite Care?

Respite care can be beneficial for individuals of all ages, each with various care needs and circumstances. Here are some common reasons someone might require respite care:

• Older Adults: Individuals aged 65 years and older often have age-related healthcare needs, such as reduced mobility, sensory impairments, or general frailty. Older adults may benefit from respite care to give their primary caregivers a break.
• Individuals with Disabilities: People of all ages with physical, sensory, cognitive, mental health or developmental disabilities might need support with daily living tasks and could benefit from respite care.
• Individuals Who Are Terminally Ill:  Those diagnosed with a terminal illness, such as cancer or Alzheimer's disease, will require care related to their condition.
• Individuals with Chronic Conditions: People with lifelong health issues that require continuous management, such as diabetes, heart disease, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), may require respite care.

What are the benefits of Respite Care?

Respite care offers numerous benefits for families, caregivers and individuals receiving care:

Benefits for Families / Caregivers:

• Provides caregivers with the opportunity to take a break and recharge, helping to prevent burnout.
• Allows families to go on holiday with peace of mind, knowing their loved one is receiving quality care.
• Improves caregivers' health, which in turn benefits the individuals they care for.
• Enhances the quality of life of caregivers through short breaks from caregiving responsibilities.

Benefits for the Person Receiving Care:

• Offers a welcome change of scenery if care is provided in a facility setting.
• Provide a valuable introduction to full-time care; over 30% of individuals on respite stays transition to become full-time residents in the service.
• Allows the person receiving care to experience all that life in a residential or nursing home has to offer, including:
  • Socialising with other residents
  • Access to a varied program of activities
  • Healthy and nutritious meals
  • 24-hour care and support

3 Steps to Arranging Respite Care in a Care Home or Nursing Home

Step 1: Shortlist Potential Care Homes for Respite

Begin by determining which homes are available to support you and whether they can meet your loved one's specific care needs. Generally, a Residential Care Home can assist individuals who require help with personal care and have mild to moderate mobility issues.

On the other hand, Nursing Homes cater to people with complex care needs, such as those who are immobile, need intravenous medication, require wound dressing, or have swallowing difficulties. A Registered Nurse is available on-site 24 hours a day in these facilities.

It's important to note that not all Residential Care Homes and Nursing Homes can provide care for individuals living with dementia. If you are specifically looking for dementia care, confirm with the home whether they offer this type of support. Here are some questions to ask based on the level of care needed:

• Do you provide residential dementia care?

This is suitable for individuals with mild to moderate dementia care needs, primarily characterised by short term memory loss.

• Do you provide dementia EMI care?

This is appropriate for individuals with advanced dementia and associated behavioural challenges, such as wandering or verbal/physical aggression, typically supported within a secure EMI unit.

• Do you provide dementia nursing care?

Some nursing homes will only accept individuals with dementia if their nursing needs take precedence over their dementia needs. For instance, this might apply to someone who has dementia but is also bed-bound.

Step 2: Understand the Home's Process for Booking Respite Care

Most Care Homes and Nursing Homes recommend reaching out 2 to 3 weeks before respite is needed to check for availability. If there is availability and you wish to proceed, a pre-admission assessment can be scheduled. During this assessment, the Home Manager or Clinical Lead will meet the individual requiring care.

The purpose of the assessment is to thoroughly understand the individual’s care needs. If the home determines it can meet those needs, it will create a personalised Care Plan for the individual before their respite admission.

Step 3: Admission

Communicate with the Care or Nursing Home in advance regarding the admission time. While the home will try to be flexible, it's best to avoid scheduling admissions during daily medication rounds and meal times, as these are busy periods.

The only items you need to bring are clothes and toiletries. To prevent clothing from getting lost in the wash, consider sewing in ‘name tags’ or writing initials on labels with a permanent marker. If any specialist equipment is required, such as a pressure mattress, the home will coordinate with you on the arrangements.

Common FAQs

Q: How long does respite care last?

A: Respite care generally lasts between 1 to 6 weeks, but most providers are flexible and can accommodate shorter or longer stays.

Q: Is respite care covered by insurance?

A: The coverage of respite care by insurance varies depending on the type of insurance plan, the specific terms outlined in the policy, and the eligibility of the individual receiving care. It is best to contact your insurance provider for detailed information about coverage and any potential out-of-pocket expenses related to respite care services.

Q: Can respite care be arranged at short notice?

A: Yes, respite care can be organised on short notice, often referred to as emergency respite care. This type of care is available in urgent situations, such as when the primary caregiver unexpectedly falls ill or experiences an accident.

TrustedCare.co.uk is an online directory of care services across the UK, featuring many that offer respite care. Our friendly in-house team of Care Advisers is available to provide free assistance in finding suitable respite care options, whether in-home or at a residential or nursing facility. Contact us today for help in shortlisting respite services near you!