What is Respite Care — and How Do You Arrange It?

Respite care is short-term, temporary care that provides a break for the person's regular carer — whether that is a family member, a spouse, or a friend. It can take place in a care home, in the person's own home, or in a community setting, and can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks.

Who is it for?

Respite care benefits both the person receiving care and the carer. Caring for a family member is physically and emotionally demanding — and sustainable caring requires rest. Respite care allows carers to take holidays, recover from illness, manage their own health, or simply have time to themselves without guilt.

How is it funded?

A carer's assessment from the local authority can unlock council-funded respite for eligible families. The person receiving care may also be entitled to council-funded respite through their own care needs assessment, separate from the carer's assessment. Self-funders can arrange respite directly with a care home or agency. Some charities and voluntary organisations also provide funded respite in specific circumstances.

Using respite as a trial

One of the most valuable uses of respite care is as an opportunity to try a care home before committing to a permanent placement. A two-week stay gives both the person and the family a realistic sense of what life in that home is actually like — the quality of care, the atmosphere, the food, and the social environment — in a way that a single visit never can.

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