Enjoying Your Respite Care Break

If you look after a loved one, you could probably use a break – which is what our respite care service is here for. But how can carers make the most of respite care? We offer some options.

First however, it’s important to establish…

The importance of taking a break from being a carer

Being a carer for a loved one can be a full-time job – and we know that many carers also juggle their caring responsibilities alongside having a career.

Just like with any job, having the chance to step away is crucial. It can help you recharge your batteries, and also get back in touch with who you are by doing things for yourself – without the need to stop and consider someone who isn’t as able-bodied.

That’s why respite care is important for carers.

Respite care – what are the options?

If you’ve weighed up the reasons to take a break from caring and decided that now’s the time, you might still feel a little stuck about how to get started. However, you might find there are a few options open to you.

You could:

• Contact your local social services and ask if they offer a temporary service that can help you get the carer’s break you need
• Ask family or friends if they’re able to step in and look after your loved one for a short time (ideally between one day and a week)
• Organise a holiday for the person you care for, so that they can get away too for a change of scenery
• Or you can arrange for short-term residential care, where a home carer (or a team of carers, operating one after the other throughout the day) will look after your loved one in their home while you take a break. Our specialist respite care offering is one such service.

What real-life carers (and carees!) say about respite care breaks

“A carer’s break is having some time to yourself to do your own thing, however long or short,” says David in the above video from Carers UK. He’s cared for his wife for over 20 years. “The length of time doesn’t matter in my opinion,” he continues. “It’s that you’ve got this time to yourself to do something a bit different away from your usual caring role.”

“Taking a break is an essential part of being a carer,” says Mary, who has been caring for almost 20 years and admits she learned that the hard way after developing health issues. “It [respite care] will help with your wellbeing,” she says. “It will just naturally pick up your spirit.”

Helen, a carer for her daughter, completely agrees, insisting: “I know if I didn’t have a break at all, emotionally I’d be a complete wreck!”

Meanwhile, Jean, who has MS and is cared for by her husband Geoff, echoes that sentiment. “I think it’s vital that your carer has a life of their own,” she says. “Whether it be in the daytime, or a night away, to keep them mentally sound.”

Respite care break ideas

So, by now we’ve established why taking your respite care break is important – but what sorts of things can you do to make sure you enjoy your respite care break?

Here are our suggestions:

Have a staycation

As Helen points out above, “it is important to remember that a break can be all sorts of things, and it doesn’t have to cost you anything at all.” As such, staying at home or in your local area could be just what the doctor ordered! Read a book, eat good food, put your feet up and watch a box set. Just take time for yourself – you’ll be glad you did.