Carer Respite
Accessing respite care. Caring for somebody can be a full-time job and you will need a respite break every now and then to relax and recharge your batteries.
If you're the main carer of the person you're looking after, one way you can look after yourself by taking an occasional break from your caring responsibilities this is known as respite care. Carers can use respite care to take a holiday or a break, or time off if they're ill themselves. You might take a break for a week, one morning each week, or just occasionally.
Respite care can include:
- Day-respite services, where someone will come into your home during the day to care for the person you look after, giving you a chance to go shopping, meet friends or have time for yourself.
- Offer companionship and conversation
- Arrange appointments
- Help with travel arrangements
- Escort to appointments
- Stimulate mental awareness
- Help with reading
- Monitor diet and eating
- Accompany to lunch or dinner
Night-respite services, where someone will come to your home to care for the person you look after, letting you have a proper night’s sleep.
Holidays: you can get help and support when you want to go on holiday by yourself or with the person you care for. Night- respite service include: Sleep in nights and waking nights
Barnet Carers Centre has information on family-based breaks for children and young people.
