Types of respite care

Some people with dementia prefer to receive care and support in their own home. This is so they can stay in a familiar environment and maintain their daily routine. 

This can work well if you are taking a break away from the home, going out for the day or on holiday.

However, some carers who live with the person they care for may prefer respite to be provided away from home. 

As well as giving the person with dementia a change of environment, this can give you the chance to do things you might not otherwise normally be able to do. Such as maintenance jobs around the home or having visitors.

This section outlines different options for respite care to consider.
 

Care at home

Friends and family

If the person with dementia wants to stay at home, a friend or family member could stay with them while you take a break. Or the person could stay with family and friends, to give you a break.

It can be helpful for the person to spend time with someone they know. People who know them may be familiar with their routine, which can be reassuring.

If you do have someone you can ask, let them know how they can help. For example, they could spend time with the person so you can go to a class or meet friends.

It is not always possible for friends or family to provide care, or you may not wish to ask them. Don’t worry, familiarity can also be built with professional carers.

Care agencies and other care providers

Care agencies can provide different types of respite (replacement) care in the person’s own home. Usually, this will involve a short visit to do a set task, such as helping the person to get washed and dressed. 

However, if asked, care agencies may also provide:

• a sitting service – where they stay with the person with dementia for a short period of time, so you can leave the home
• a befriending service – where they support the person to take part in an activity they enjoy, such as art or reminiscence
• nighttime care – so that you can get some sleep
• 24-hour care – to allow the person to remain at home while you take a break away or go on holiday. 

Personal assistants 

Personal assistants support people who need help with a range of tasks in their own home. They may work for a care agency organised by the local authority. They can also be employed directly by the person you care for, you or another appropriate person on their behalf. 

This support can be self-funded or through a ‘direct payment’. This is a budget given to them by the local authority. 

Personal assistants can in some cases provide greater flexibility with care. If there are limits to what an available care agency can offer with task-based care, a personal assistant can be a good alternative. 

You can personalise their job description and the care required to suit the person with dementia. For example, including activities such as taking the person on country walks, watching sporting events or going shopping. 

You might be able to employ a friend or someone familiar to the person, who you feel more comfortable leaving them with.

Care away from home

Day centres

Day centres can be good places for people with dementia to take part in activities and meet other people. Different centres offer different opportunities. For example, some offer transport to and from the venue, day trips or meals, and others will not. 

All day centres should provide the chance to socialise and take part in activities, such as quizzes, games or yoga. If the centre supports people with dementia, they may include activities such as reminiscence. 

Day centres can provide a welcome break for people who want to leave the house but need to remain well-supported and safe. Some local social services run day centres, sometimes with NHS involvement. Others can be privately owned. See what is available in your area through our Dementia Directory.  

Holidays and short breaks

Another form of respite care is for you and the person with dementia to take a short break or holiday together. This can give you a break from your usual caring routine with extra support for you. 

Some organisations provide specialist holidays for people with dementia and their carers. They include support with care and facilities that are accessible.

You might find that being away from your normal environment means you can focus on spending quality time with the person. 

When arranging a holiday or short break it’s important to make arrangements with the holiday company well in advance. This means you and the person know what to expect. It also gives the holiday company time to organise support for you both. 

The person you care for may need help to cope with a new environment or changes to their routine. If there are things that give them comfort at home, try keeping things as similar as possible on holiday if you can. This might include leaving the bathroom light on or keeping the bedroom door open at night.

Finding a holiday company that caters for people with dementia can make things easier. This can mean you both have a more enjoyable holiday. 

Shared Lives

The Shared Lives scheme  involves someone with care needs living or staying in the home of an approved Shared Lives carer. 

The exact arrangements will vary depending on the needs of the person. For example, someone with dementia may move into the home of a Shared Lives carer to stay with them for a while. Sometimes, the Shared Lives carer could provide daytime support – either in their own home or the home of the person.

Your local authority or the Shared Lives scheme will be able to provide more information.

Care homes

Some care homes offer opportunities for people with dementia to stay for a short period of time. This is sometimes known as ‘short-break care’ or ‘residential respite’. 
This can work well if you are going on holiday as it can give you peace of mind that the person is safe. It can also help you and the person with dementia to ‘trial’ a care home before deciding to move in permanently. This helps staff to get to know the person, and helps the person become familiar with the place. 

There are two types of care home. These provide different levels of care. The right type of home for a person with dementia will depend on their individual health and care needs:  

• Residential care homes – these can help people who need prompting, supervision or support when doing daily tasks. This includes eating, dressing, going to the toilet, washing and bathing. 
• Nursing homes – these are for people with nursing care needs. For example, difficulty moving, issues with continence or medical needs. Nursing homes have a registered nurse on site during the day and at night. This means that they can provide nursing care as well as support with daily living needs.

Arranging respite care in a care home depends on a room being available. If possible, plan ahead. Some homes reserve rooms for short-term residents that are pre-bookable. Other homes may only offer short-notice bookings. 

Even if you aren’t considering respite in a care home now, explore what care home options are available . This can help if there’s a sudden change that affects how much support the person needs.

Carers’ emergency replacement care

It can be difficult to think about being unable to care for the person you support. But you could be taken ill suddenly or another crisis situation could arise. 

If you register as a carer, this can provide valuable reassurance. Ask your local authority or carers’ centre how they can support you. They may provide local emergency card schemes. 

Emergency card schemes involve detailing the care you provide and who for. You can then set out a contingency plan, in case you are not able to care for the person. This can include other people to contact.

You’ll be given an emergency card. It’s useful to carry this around with you. If you have an accident or emergency, anyone who helps you will then know someone is relying on you. 

There is usually a number on the card if you need help. The call centre may contact one of your emergency contacts. They may ask this contact if they can help the person with dementia.  

If there are no local emergency card schemes in your area, you could consider making your own card and keeping it on you. This can make other people aware that the person needs support if there is an emergency. You could include someone to contact in this situation.

Some local authorities will provide emergency respite care. The care will usually last between 48 and 72 hours, depending on the situation. Your local authority or local carers’ centre can provide more information about what is available in your area.