Guide to respite care services
Self-care is not egotistical; it's an act of survival. We all need that break to sit back, reflect, and compose our minds and bodies. Being a carer is a 24-hour job, especially when you are looking after someone who’s sick or disabled. It necessitates a great deal of dedication and selflessness, which can consume a great deal of mental and physical energy. At times, it becomes necessary for carers to take a short-term break to look after their own needs, regain energy, and give high-quality support to clients.
What is respite care?
Respite care is a type of short-term professional care that is flexible to fit your needs. Caring for someone can be rewarding but also very demanding, both physically and emotionally. Everyone needs a balanced life, including time for work, relaxation, socialisation, or simply enjoying the little things of life, but the job of a carer doesn't give that much flexibility. Nurses Group Homecare UK provides respite care so that even the carers get the much-needed break, helping to reduce burnout and run their errands.
Respite care entails entrusting your loved one's day-to-day care to responsible and trained respite carers for a temporary period. Sometimes, the primary carer arranges for a professional respite carer when they are in need of a break. Respite care is intended to provide full-time carers with temporary relief. There are numerous situations in which full-time carers may require a break, including:
1. Planned breaks or holidays:
When the primary carer takes a break for relaxation in order to maintain their health and well-being.
2. Personal healthcare needs:
When the primary carer is faced with some health issues wherein they are not fully able to provide committed care and support to an individual.
Respite care can last from a few hours to a few weeks, depending on the needs of the primary carer. Our respite carers ensure that your loved one's care and support requirements continue to be met while you are away. This may be less disruptive than placing your loved one in transient residential care and disrupting his or her daily routine. You can leave the house and recharge your batteries, both mentally and physically, if you have a trusted carer. Such short breaks benefit not only you but also the person you care about.
Nurses Group Homecare can provide short-term care to single people or couples in their own homes so that the primary carer can get a well-deserved break.
What are the different types of respite care services offered by Nurses Group Homecare UK?
Nurses Group Homecare offers a variety of respite care options, which include:
1. In-home care:
When a respite carer lives in your home and provides assistance round-the-clock.
2. Visiting care:
When you require additional assistance for a few hours each day or week.
3. Residential care:
Provided in a senior community, such as a nursing home or assisted living facility, for you or a loved one.
4. Adult day services:
This is a great option for elderly people who enjoy spending time outside their homes, and such respite care services are either provided at locations like senior centres or churches.
No matter your need, get in touch with us today to find out how Nurses Group Homecare UK can help you.
Who needs respite care in the UK?
Someone who has an illness or disability may need support and assistance around the clock, and caring for them is a big responsibility. Typically, primary carers who care for people suffering from a chronic illness or disability such as cancer, blindness, brain injury, dementia, or stroke will require respite care. Thus, one of the primary reasons for respite care is to help reduce carer burnout, as carers often find themselves overwhelmed, frustrated, and anxious.
In addition to reducing general burnout, there are several situations where the primary carer can seek the services of a professional respite carer, including:
- When they have work outside the home
- To meet out-of-town obligations
- Has a scheduled vacation
- To comply with a major medical procedure
- When signs of severe burnout are shown
What is respite care for children?
Respite care for children is a temporary break for carers or parents of special-needs children. A respite carer will give a break to parents by offering an extra pair of hands to support children while the parents take 'time out', or use the time to fulfil other chores at home. Leaving a child in the hands of someone can be scary, especially when your child requires extra support. This is when homecare providers like Nurses Group Homecare UK come into play to help parents meet their needs while their children are provided with care and assistance by a professional respite carer.
What does respite care cost in the UK?
According to the UK Care Guide, homecare providers in the UK provide respite care at an average cost of £700 to £800 per week. However, in the case of emergency respite care, live-in care, or staying in a care home, the cost will range up to £1,500 per week. The cost of respite care at Nurses Group Homecare UK varies according to the support service provided to the individual.