Respite Care For Adults
Applying for a break
Do you need a break from looking after someone you care for? Carers have told us:
"Respite care is one of the things I value most".
"It's so important to have a break, it helps me carry on caring".
"I used to feel guilty about having a break but now I realise that it is absolutely essential".
"It's good to know that you can have a rest and the person that you care for can be well looked after".
Social Services may be able to help you have a break from caring. Many carers find that having a short break helps ease some of the stresses of the carers experience. A break can enable you to carry on looking after the person you care for and improve life for both of you.
In order to use the respite service the person you care for must agree to someone else looking after them on a short-term basis. If a cared for person does not wish to have a break, the carer may still be able to receive other types of help.
Carers or clients who want to apply for a break and/or other services should contact the Social Services Help Desk. They will be able to arrange for eligibility and needs to be assessed. You should request a break as far in advance of the required date as possible.
Short-term breaks - over 24 hours
To benefit from a break the cared-for person and carer will need an assessment.
There are two types of assessment:
- Client Assessment. The care professional will look at the type of care needs that the person has and discuss with them and their carer what type of break might be suitable. As well as looking at options for breaks the care professional will be able to advise on other services that may be helpful. If the client decides to accept a break and/or services, a financial assessment will also be undertaken. The financial assessment will enable us to advise the client how much they will have to pay towards the cost.
- Carers Assessment. If the client is eligible to receive help from Social Services the carer can request an assessment too. We strongly advise carers to request an assessment as this will help make sure that the services and information provided also meets the carer's needs. In order to benefit from respite care a carer will need to have an assessment.
Assessment is provided free of charge. Information and advice may be given and there is no obligation to accept services.
How the respite decision is made
When an assessment is carried out, we will ask a range of questions to help us determine:
- the amount and type of care the client needs
- risks that might occur to the client or carer's health and well-being if they are unable to have a break
- whether the caring situation is at risk of breaking down if the client/carer cannot take a break
We will also look at the cared for person's ability to pay for the break, so that we can advise them how much they will be expected to pay towards the cost.
Where the cared-for person will stay
Care is provided in one of the local homes assessed to be suitable to meet the needs of the cared-for person. Homes are regularly monitored and inspected.
Breaks under 24 hours
Physical disability and older people
- Subsidised short break service funded by Social Services and managed by Help and Care
.
A full social work assessment is not required to access this service. For more details or to register, contact Help and Care or e-mail contact@helpandcare.org.uk.
Mental Health
- Subsidised short break service (mental health, under 65 years of age)
This service is funded by Social Services and managed by Richmond Fellowship . It can provide breaks specially tailored to the needs of people with mental health problems and their carers. A full social work assessment is required before people are able to use this service. To find out more about this service either talk to your mental health social worker or telephone Richmond Fellowship on 01202 466430.
Day activities
Where the cared-for person needs daytime activity we may be able to arrange for them to attend a day centre or other type of community activity. This often helps the carer by providing a break and assists the client who is able to have an opportunity to meet with other people or follow an interest.
A full social work assessment is required which can be arranged by contacting the Social Services Help Desk
Independent providers
If you prefer you can make your own arrangements privately with a local agency. A social work assessment is not required if you choose this option. To find providers look in Yellow Pages under "care agencies". Examples of charges vary from approximately £10 per hour upwards.
Many care homes provide respite care places which can be purchased for a few days or more. Costs vary depending on the type of provider and the care required. We are not in a position to endorse homes, and if breaks are purchased in this way a social work assessment is not required. The Yellow Pages can provide a list of homes.
Reassurance that the person you care for will be safe
The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) inspect all residential homes.
Our Contracts Section regularly monitor breaks commissioned by Social Services. Agencies and care homes are required to police check staff and ensure appropriate training is in place.
If you are considering residential respite, you may wish to visit the home before the stay. You should also be able to visit the person you care for during their stay if you wish.
We want to ensure we are making suitable arrangements and that the care provided is of a good quality. Following a period of residential respite, we will ask both the carer and the cared for person to give us their views about the break.
Other issues regarding respite care
- Satisfaction with respite. If you dissatisfied with respite, then you should speak to the manager of the home or service who should look into your concerns. If you feel unable to do this, please contact your Care Manager or our Complaints Officer.
- Direct Payments. It is possible to use Direct Payments for respite. Speak to your Care Manager about how this can be organised.
- Extra funding. If you get the highest level of Disability Living Allowance care component and Social Services are spending at least £200 per week on providing domiciliary care for you the Independent Living Fund (ILF) may be able to fund extra hours of care to provide respite. This can only apply where the respite care is provided other than in a residential care home.
- Benefits. Your benefits may be affected if you are having residential respite. Staff will advise you about this when completing the financial assessment.
- Transport arrangements. You will need to make your own transport arrangements. Your Care Manager can advise you about this.
- What the person being cared for should take with them. It is a good idea to talk to your care manager or the manager of the home about this. You will need to ensure that the person you care for takes any medication they will require during their stay, together with any mobility aids they usually use. They may also need to take clothing and toiletries, towels and anything else they require to make their stay more comfortable.
Can carers claim anything towards their own break?
If the carer wishes to go on holiday whilst the cared for person takes a break, but feels that they need some financial help to do this, they may apply to the Leonardo Trust (a local registered charity) for help towards the cost.
The charity requires the carer to supply a letter from a Care Manager or health professional confirming the carer's role and need for help with the cost of the break. A financial assessment is not required to apply for this service.
To find out more about applying for help towards the cost of a carers break, contact:
Leonardo Trust 26a Parkstone Road Poole Dorset BH15 2PG
Telephone number 01202 683382
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