Respite Care for Adults

Studies have shown that there are increased levels of stress, ill health and mental health problems in those people who undertake a caring role. Carers and those who are cared for can benefit from day respite or residential respite care.

When a care relationship is not professional and not based on shifts and normal working hours, but is continuous for 24 hours per day, seven days per week, a break is not a luxury but essential in order to maintain the caring role.

What is respite care?

Anyone who undertakes a caring role for a friend or relative who is an older person or has a learning or physical disability or suffers a mental health problem may be able entitled to respite care services.

Day respite can be provided to offer short periods of respite in a range of different ways either in the home; support at home or in day centres for older people or via adult day care resources and enhanced care units. It may also be possible to provide services by the private and voluntary sector.

Residential respite care can be provided in a residential setting to enable carers to have a break from their caring role. The council has a number of units which may provide this.

How much would it cost?

We do have a charging policy for home care and residential care services. How much you will pay will depend on what benefits, savings, or income you have.

For more information, see our section on how to apply or contact us using the details provided on the right.