Respite Care
Caring for an elderly parent or loved one is one of the most important things you'll ever do, but it can also be exhausting. Respite care gives family carers a much-needed break, safe in the knowledge that their loved one is being well looked after.
​
Respite care can be provided inside or outside the home, and can range from short planned breaks from daily tasks through to longer periods of cover, including supported day care, home visits, or short stays in a care setting.
​
I help families in Swindon and across surrounding counties, to understand their respite care options, whether that's arranging temporary visiting care, a short-term live-in carer, or a brief residential stay. I'll help you find a solution that works for your loved one and gives you the rest you need.
​
Respite care is also available as emergency or unplanned cover, for example, if a family carer is taken ill or has other commitments.
"Testimonials coming soon, Nancy is currently gathering feedback from the families she's worked with"
"Testimonials coming soon, Nancy is currently gathering feedback from the families she's worked with"
"Testimonials coming soon, Nancy is currently gathering feedback from the families she's worked with"
FAQ'S
1 / What is respite care and who is it for?
Respite care is short-term support arranged to give a family carer a planned break from their caring responsibilities, while their loved one continues to receive the right care in the meantime. The usual carer is almost always an unpaid family member, a spouse, an adult child, or a sibling, and the break can range from a few hours to enable them to attend their own appointments, to a couple of weeks so they can go on holiday or simply recharge. It doesn't have to be saved for a crisis. Planning respite care earlier gives everyone time to become comfortable with the arrangement and makes future breaks easier to organise. I can help families understand what's available and find the right fit.
3/ How much does respite care cost, and is
there any help with funding?
Respite care at home in the UK currently costs from around £25 per hour for visiting support, or from £1,100 per week for live-in respite cover. Costs vary depending on the level of care needed and how it's arranged. Funding is worth exploring before you commit to paying privately, in England, respite care can be funded by the local council after a needs assessment, by the NHS where someone has significant health needs, or through carers' charities via grants. Nancy can help you understand which routes may be open to you and what questions to ask
2 / Does respite care mean having
to go into a care home?
This is one of the most common misunderstandings, and it stops many people from exploring respite care at all. Respite care doesn't have to mean a care home, it can happen at home. A carer can come in for a few hours at a time, or for longer periods if needed, allowing your loved one to stay in their own surroundings with their routine intact. For most families who want their loved one to stay in familiar surroundings, home-based respite is the better fit, as leaving home for a short residential stay can be unsettling, particularly for someone living with dementia. I will talk you through all the options so you can choose what works best for everyone.
4 / I feel guilty about taking a break
from caring. Is that normal?
Completely, and you are far from alone in feeling that way. Many family carers think about respite support long before they actually arrange it, and often the biggest obstacle isn't practical, it's guilt. But taking a step back doesn't mean letting your loved one down. It's important to take a break if you need one, it doesn't mean you're failing the person you look after, and it could help you care for them better, for longer. What most families discover after using respite care for the first time is that they wish they had done it sooner. Nancy's role is to help you make the decision that's right for your family, without pressure and without judgement.