Respite care homes
Everyone is welcome to join us for a short stay, whether it’s to provide respite for a carer or family member or to experience what it’s like living in one of our care homes before moving in long-term.
What is respite care?
Respite care is a temporary, short-term stay in a care home, designed to support both you as the caregiver and the person you’re caring for. If you’re a caregiver, respite care lets you take a break or enables you to take time out to get things done. Respite care has many benefits for your elderly loved one, too, such as variety, stimulation and even new friendships.
So if you’re going on holiday, want a short break or need emergency respite care, we’re here to take good care of your loved one. We know it’s important for you to find a short-term stay where your loved one will be happy and comfortable, so we’ll work with you to find a suitable respite care option.
Alternatively, browse by region to discover available care homes within a specific area.
Short-stay care breaks to suit all needs
Caring for a loved one can be rewarding, but it’s important for you both that you get a bit of time off every now and then. This is where arranging temporary care, also known as respite care, can come in useful. As a carer, you’ll be able to relax knowing that your loved one will be in a safe and comfortable environment, receiving 24-hour care while you recharge your batteries.
We also provide short-term care in our care homes for those recovering from an operation or hospital stay. This is often called convalescent care.
When to arrange respite care
There are lots of reasons why you might want to arrange temporary care for a family member. For example, you might want to consider respite care if:
- you’re planning a holiday.
- you need additional support – perhaps after feeling unwell.
- your loved one needs help to recover from an illness or operation.
- you’re considering moving your loved one into a care home permanently, and they’d like a trial visit.
- the person you’re caring for is feeling lonely and might benefit from spending some time among other people in a care home.
Finding the right respite care home
If you or your loved one decide to book a short stay in one of our care homes, you can expect a warm welcome. You’ll be assigned a key carer who will show you both around the home and help your loved one to settle in.
We’ll work with you so we can get to know your loved one, so we can make their stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. We’ll want to find out what’s important to them, so we’ll ask questions like:
- What are your likes and dislikes?
- Do you have any routines or preferences you’d like us to know about?
- What do you like to eat and drink?
- When do you like to go to bed?
- Do you have any hobbies or interests?
Day care in a care home
Caring for a friend or relative can be hard work. You may have regular commitments outside the home, or just need a break from time to time. That’s why some of our care homes offer a pop-in day care service, so your loved one can spend a pleasant day with us while you take a break from your caring responsibilities. You’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that they’ll be very well cared for while you take time out.
Our pop-in day care service offers the benefit of all of our facilities, including any entertainment or activities that are taking place, within a safe and secure environment. Our philosophy of inclusiveness means that our pop-in guests mix with our residents, so new friendships could be on the cards.
Our pop-in service is available Monday to Friday from 10am to 6pm, with weekend visits and extended stays available on request. Care is charged by the hour, with tea and coffee included and meals charged separately. A one-off registration fee may apply for care planning. Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer day care in all of our care homes, so you’ll need to ask your local home if they offer this service.
Help with funding for respite care
If you’re thinking about respite care, it’s worth finding out from your local authority whether you’re eligible for funding.
Our customer care team will help you find out if you can apply for financial support for respite care or whether you’ll need to pay for it yourself.
Help when you need it
Choosing a care home can be stressful, especially if you've never done it before. Where do you start? Well, right here. Our helpful, understanding care advisers offer free advice on anything from funding to finding just the right home.
Call a customer care adviser on 0345 600 4622^
Ask us to assess your situation and talk to you about paying for care, and how funding works.
Find care homes that might be right for you, and book one or more visits.
^ Lines are open 8am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 12.30pm Saturday. Closed Sundays and bank holidays. Calls are charged at no more than local rate and count towards any inclusive minutes from mobiles. We may record or monitor our calls.
