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Respite for carers

How you can look after yourself as a carer by taking occasional breaks from your caring duties.

What is respite?

Respite is a form of care or support to enable carers to have a break for a longer period of time.

Respite is possible for both carers and the adults they care for. 

Respite for adults

There are many forms of respite for adults in need of care.

The option you choose will depend on what works best for you to be able to live as independently as possible.

You can:

  • employ a personal assistant to support your caring needs in your home for the duration you need
  • stay in a residential home temporarily as a respite guest and have your caring needs met

You could also arrange for a home care agency to provide a:

  • carer to visit you in your home and support you 
  • live-in carer to support you at home for the duration you need

Respite for carers

There are many local organisations providing breaks for family carers.

These vary from activities and breaks for carers to holidays for carers and the person they care for.

You can find a support group or scheme that provides respite, breaks or activities for carers.

Paying for respite

Most people will have to pay for respite themselves. The individual who's being cared for is the person who's charged for respite services.

You can find out more on our paying for care page.

Find out if you can get more support by reading about: