Respite care is designed to give carers a break from their usual duties and responsibilities, giving them time to go on holiday, attend to other responsibilities, or engage in self-care activities. Carers and individuals requiring support can determine the length of care required, whether that be a couple of hours a week for companionship and reminders, or a more complex, ongoing arrangement for reliable respite.
At Independent People Homecare, we are committed to providing bespoke respite care for our clients, for as long or short as they require. Today, we’ll explore what respite care is, how long it lasts depending on the circumstances, and whether or not it affects carers’ allowance.
What Is Respite Care?
Respite care is a form of care available to individuals who believe that they’d benefit from planned breaks in their caregiving responsibilities. Respite is temporary, providing hours, days, or weeks of relief when you need it most.
In most cases, when an individual starts requiring care, a partner, child, or close relative will typically assume the role of primary caregiver. They may take all responsibilities on themselves, making it difficult for them to continue their usual routine as they offer their time for free.
Being a family carer can be overwhelming, and you may not know how to ask for respite or feel guilty about taking time to manage other responsibilities, such as work, caring for children or pets, or attending to your own health.
Respite care is designed to allow you this opportunity without feeling worried about leaving your loved one at home alone. When they are in safe hands with your chosen respite carer, you can rest, recharge and prioritise yourself.
How Long Does Private Respite Care Last For?
Most respite carers are private, meaning you’ll have to pay for the time required yourself. As you’re in control of the funding, respite care can technically last as long as you want it to. However, this may depend on why this type of care is being used.
There are plenty of reasons why you might seek respite care, such as:
- Regular, routine breaks
It’s healthy for family carers to take short-term, regular breaks, as this can avoid carer burnout. Routine breaks may be a few hours or days off each week or month, pre-booked to ensure carers take care of themselves.
- Manage personal matters or run errands
Some carers choose to book only a few hours of respite a week to focus on running errands or attending to personal matters. This may be beneficial for individuals with dementia or complex conditions that mean they require 24/7 monitoring and support.
- Planned family holidays
If you have a planned holiday coming up, you may need respite care during your trip. Respite care offers you the opportunity to unwind and relax fully, knowing your loved one is being safely cared for at home.
- Recovery from illness or injury
When a carer falls ill or sustains an injury, they may try and power through for the sake of their loved one. Respite care ensures that they can give themselves enough time to rest and recuperate without worrying about their loved one needing them.
- An extended break from responsibilities
If you’re feeling burned out or require an extended period away from caring duties due to a significant life change, such as moving house or welcoming a new baby, several weeks of respite can be arranged.
- Special events or commitments
Carers may need a full day away from their loved one to attend a special commitment, such as a graduation, wedding or legal appointment. Respite care can be arranged for a few hours or the full day.
How Long Can Respite Care Last if Funded by a Local Council or Charity?
While most people who require respite care choose to explore private options, it’s possible that your local authority can arrange respite care if your Carer’s Assessment shows you qualify for help. The Carer’s Assessment is in place to ensure that family carers get the right amount of care, support and training required.
Free respite care isn’t a one-size-fits-all arrangement, so the amount of care your loved one requires will determine how long it lasts. Your local authority may determine that you require a set number of hours a week or month for dependable breaks from duties, or they may provide you with a one-time block of respite care for a single break.
Charities also provide assistance for family carers in need of respite. They’ll award eligible candidates a set number of hours depending on their available staff and budget. Funded respite care is a lot less flexible than private care, so it may not suit everyone’s needs.
How Long Can Emergency Respite Last For?
Emergency respite care is a flexible arrangement designed to help individuals needing care and their family carers when they need it most. It might be required if:
- You fall suddenly ill or are involved in an incident resulting in injury that makes caring substantially more difficult
- Someone else in your family falls ill and needs your attention throughout their recovery
- You require bereavement leave
- You have an unexpected emergency where you need to cover childcare, make sudden home repairs, or care for an ill pet
- You experience carer burnout and require respite to avoid ill health or improve mental well-being
It may be possible to have another family member or friend cover your absence, or you can book emergency cover from a trusted care provider. Independent People Homecare offer emergency live-in care, which can be arranged within 24 hours.
Does Respite Care Affect Carer’s Allowance?
Carer’s Allowance is designed to supplement carers’ earnings when they provide assistance to someone in need for at least 35 hours per week. This also comes with certain benefits, which may limit the amount of respite care you’re entitled to.
If you’re concerned about your payments being reduced, it’s worth reporting a change in circumstance and checking beforehand. Short respite care shouldn’t interfere with payments, but prolonged breaks or frequent respite may reduce the number of hours you care for.
Is There a Limit to How Long Respite Care Can Last?
There aren’t strict limits on how much respite care an individual can request. The duration of care depends on several factors, including individual circumstances, needs, and available resources. You can decide how much care you require, whether that be a few hours to a few weeks.
If your respite care is provided by a charity or local council, you may need to be reassessed every few weeks to ensure that your care arrangements are still necessary and effective. They may increase or decrease hours, or change the type of care your loved one needs. Respite care can be a beneficial first step towards long-term live-in care.
Call Us to Discuss Respite Care
Independent People Homecare offers a wide choice of live-in carers on both a long term and short term basis, giving you care that is flexible and tailored to your needs. To find out more, call us today on 0800 471 4741 for a friendly chat about how it works or to arrange live-in care.