Exhausted family carers often don't know respite care exists, or how to get it. This guide explains what it is, what it costs, who can help pay, and how to arrange a short break without guilt.
Respite care is short-term support that gives a family carer a break, while someone qualified looks after their loved one. It can happen at home, at a day centre, or in a care home, for a few hours or a few weeks. Councils and the NHS can sometimes help pay for it.
What is respite care for the elderly?
Respite care means someone else steps in to care for your parent, so you can rest. It might last an afternoon, a week, or longer.
Families often reach for it after carer burnout, a hospital discharge, or a big life event like a wedding or holiday. It’s not a last resort. It’s a normal part of caring well over years.
What types of respite care are available?
There are three main types. Each suits different situations.
In-home respite
A carer comes to your parent’s house. Your parent stays in familiar surroundings, and routines carry on as normal.
Day centres
Your parent spends the day with others, doing activities and having meals. It gives you daytime hours free, but not overnight cover.
Short-stay care homes
Your parent stays in a care home for days or weeks. This works well if you need a longer break, or if your parent needs more support than home care can give.
| Type | Best for | Typical length |
|---|---|---|
| In-home respite | Short breaks, keeping routine | A few hours to a few days |
| Day centres | Daytime company and activities | Hours, regular days |
| Short-stay care home | Holidays, recovery, longer breaks | A week to a few weeks |
If your parent already has care at home, our guide on arranging home care in England explains how the two can work together.
How much does respite care cost?
Costs vary by area and type of care. In-home respite often costs £20 to £30 an hour. A short stay in a care home can cost £800 to £1,500 a week.
Price depends on your parent’s needs, the region, and how much support is needed overnight. Always ask providers for a clear, written quote before booking.
Can you get help paying for respite care?
Yes, in some cases. Start with a Carer’s Assessment. This is a free assessment from your local authority adult social care team, looking at how caring affects your own health and life.
The Care Act 2014 gives carers a legal right to this assessment. It can lead to a support plan, and sometimes funding towards respite care.
Your parent may also get a means test, which looks at their savings and income to see if the council will help pay for their care. Attendance Allowance, a benefit for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care, can also help cover costs. In some cases, if your parent has serious ongoing health needs, they might qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare, which is fully funded care arranged by the NHS.
Carers UK, a national charity for carers, offers free advice on all of this if you’re not sure where to start.
How do I arrange respite care, step by step?
Here’s a simple path to follow.
- Ask your local authority for a Carer’s Assessment.
- Work out what kind of respite suits your parent, in-home, day centre, or short stay.
- Check funding options, including means-tested council help and Attendance Allowance.
- Find a provider registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the body that inspects care services in England.
- Book early, and agree the dates, cost, and care plan in writing.
If you’re new to arranging any care, our guide on what an in-home caregiver does is a useful place to start.
A real example: taking a week off as a carer
Sarah cares for her mother, who has dementia. She hadn’t had a proper break in two years.
She asked her council for a Carer’s Assessment. It showed she qualified for some funded respite hours. She booked a carer to stay with her mother at home for a week, while she visited her sister.
Her mother kept her usual routine, in her own home. Sarah came back rested, and ready to carry on caring.
What’s the difference between respite care at home and in a care home?
Home respite keeps your parent in familiar surroundings, with their own bed, garden, and neighbours nearby. It suits people who feel anxious about change.
A care home stay suits longer breaks, or when your parent needs more medical support than a carer at home can give. Staff are on hand around the clock, and CQC inspection reports can help you check quality before you book.
How long can respite care last?
It can last anywhere from a few hours to several weeks. Most short stays run one to four weeks, though some families use respite regularly, every few months, to keep going long term.
How do I know if respite care is the right choice?
Watch for signs like exhaustion, snapping at loved ones, or dreading each day. These are signals, not failures.
Taking a break doesn’t mean giving up on your parent. Our piece on bringing in a home caregiver covers this guilt many families feel, and why it’s misplaced.
A rested carer gives better care. Respite care protects both of you, and helps your parent stay at home for longer.
Common questions
Is respite care only for emergencies?No. Most respite care is planned in advance, so a carer can rest, travel, or deal with their own health. Emergency respite exists too, for sudden hospital stays or illness.
Will my parent hate a care home for a short stay?Many people worry about this, but short stays are common and staff are used to welcoming new faces for just a week or two. Most settle in faster than families expect.
Do I have to pay for respite care myself?Not always. A Carer’s Assessment and a means test through your local authority adult social care team can show if you qualify for help with costs.
How far in advance should I book respite care?Try to book at least four to six weeks ahead for a care home stay, especially around Christmas or summer holidays when demand is high.
What’s the difference between respite care and day centres?Day centres offer daytime activities and company for a few hours, while respite care can cover overnight stays or full weeks, giving carers longer breaks.
Key points
- Respite care is short-term care that gives a family carer a break, from a few hours to a few weeks
- You can get it at home, at a day centre, or as a short stay in a care home
- Costs vary widely, so ask your local authority for a Carer’s Assessment before you pay privately
- You might get help through means-tested council funding, Attendance Allowance, or NHS Continuing Healthcare
- Booking early matters, as good providers fill up fast, especially around holidays
- Taking a break isn’t giving up on your parent, it helps you carry on caring well
At Rising Star Care Solutions, we help families arrange short-term and ongoing home care, so a break never means worry. If you’re planning a first respite stay, our team can talk you through what fits your parent best.
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