Advice for families

How does respite care work?

Respite care is a temporary residential stay that can support recovery, give family carers a break or let someone experience life in a care home before deciding on longer-term care.

Short stays

Temporary care still needs a proper assessment.

A respite stay can range from a short planned break to temporary support after illness or a hospital stay, depending on the home and the person’s needs.

At Heathside, respite and short stays are subject to the same suitability assessment as longer admissions.

Useful checklist

Questions worth asking

  • How long is the stay likely to be?
  • What care and medication support is needed?
  • Is the stay for family respite, recovery or trial care?
  • What should the person bring with them?
  • What is included in the quoted fee?