Respite Care

Respite care provides temporary relief for primary caregivers by arranging for someone else to look after their loved one for a period of time. This can range from a few hours (so the caregiver can attend an appointment, meet a friend, or simply rest) to several days or weeks (for a holiday or to recover from illness).

Respite care can take many forms. In-home respite involves a trained carer coming to your home to look after your loved one in their familiar environment. Day centres offer structured programmes of activities and social interaction during daytime hours. Residential respite involves a short stay in a care home, which can also help families explore whether residential care might be appropriate in the future.

Many caregivers feel guilty about taking breaks, but respite care is not a luxury — it is a necessity. Research consistently shows that caregivers who take regular breaks are better able to provide high-quality care over the long term. Caregiver burnout, depression, and physical health problems are common when the demands of caregiving are unrelenting. Looking after yourself is not selfish — it is an essential part of looking after your loved one.

When arranging respite care, it helps to prepare a clear summary of your loved one's daily routine, preferences, medications, and any behaviours the stand-in carer should be aware of. OurTurn's Baseline Passport puts much of this on one page you can print or share — what a normal day looks like for them, what calms them, how they communicate best, what tends to upset them, their medicines and who to call — built from what you have already written in Settings.

Speak with your local council, GP, or dementia support organisation about respite care options in your area. Many areas offer funded respite care, particularly for families with significant caring responsibilities.