Respite Care
Find quality Respite Care in the comfort of your home.
99.7%
client
satisfaction
Top 20 UK
Home Care Group
2021 – 2025
What is Respite Care?
Respite Care is a form of support where a professional Carer covers for a regular caregiver, often a relative, friend or neighbour.
Everybody needs a break at some point but for many regular caregivers, finding time can sometimes feel impossible. Respite Care is designed to help in these situations. It enables caregivers to enjoy a holiday or a regular break away from their responsibilities or provides cover in the event of an emergency.
Some of the most common reasons people need Respite Care are:
Our Care Workers are trained to maintain continuity of care while minimising stress and uncertainty wherever possible. This can reduce anxiety and other negatives (such as complications from variations to nutrition or medication) arising from changes in routines. We work with you to ensure a smooth and safe transition as we take on Respite Care.
Your home. Your care. Your choice.
Why choose Respite Care?
At Alina Homecare, we understand that regular caregivers can only provide the very best care to their loved ones by also taking good care of themselves.
It’s essential to have some ‘me time’, with a chance to rest and relax away from the home. Our Respite Care for caregivers makes this possible with reliable, compassionate care personalised to your specific needs. You’ll have added peace of mind from knowing your loved one is being looked after by a professional, giving you the chance to spend time elsewhere.
Our Care Workers come prepared to slot into your normal routine. They’re there to reassure you and work with you to provide the support you need, when you need it.
In the event of an emergency, Respite Care can involve a short term regular arrangement while you recover and readjust to daily life. Some people opt for a Live-in Carer when recovering from illness or an operation to give them peace of mind that support is nearby 24 hours a day.
Why choose Alina Homecare?
Understanding
Our Teams have many years’ experience. We understand the challenges and we’re ready to help you every step of the way. Our entire service is designed to be simple.
Excellent Training
Our Teams are carefully selected and receive advanced training through our exclusive Alina Homecare Academy. We do not use an agency or freelance staff to maintain our reputation.
Quality Care
Our strict performance guidelines, Care Quality Commission (CQC) ratings and complete transparency via Birdie, our care monitoring app., give added confidence and high quality assurance.
Personalised Care
At Alina Homecare, our personalised care is unique to each client. Respite Care is flexible when circumstances change and always delivered with compassion, dignity and respect.
What is included in Respite Care?
Our Respite Care service is for regular support in the home delivered by Carers exclusively trained by our Academy. Whether you need continuation of your normal care such as Personal Care, more specialist care such as our Dementia Care, or simply want some Companion Care while your primary caregiver has a regular break, we can help.
We also provide a wide range of other Home Care services including:
What to expect from Respite Care at Home
Our Respite Care at Home service is provided by a fully trained Professional Team. They’ll help your loved one with their needs to support them to live as independently as possible.
From preparing balanced meals to light household tasks, or even just being a friendly face to pop in for a chat. At Alina Homecare, we make life easier.
What are the benefits of Respite Care at Home?
There are many benefits to Respite Care for both the caregiver and the person receiving care. These include:
Deciding to receive Respite Care
Though it may feel clear that a regular caregiver needs a break from the various demands of caregiving, many people can struggle to seek help. We understand how challenging it can be to hand over the responsibility of a loved one’s care to a stranger. Our Care Team meet with you in advance and are trained to provide reassurance and confidence to support the transition.
Planning and choice are vital parts of receiving Respite Care. Our Team will assess your needs to understand your requirements and your care plan will be tailored specifically to your individual circumstances. Some of the most common reasons our clients and their loved ones choose our Respite Care include:
Respite Care reviews
We’re proud to provide support for our clients across the South of England. Find out how our Respite Care at Home services have benefitted them with these independent reviews on homecare.co.uk:
Alina Homecare
Based on 1,120 reviews from homecare.co.uk
9.7
/10
When my sister & I acknowledged that it was time that our lovely Mum needed extra support that we weren't always able to give we had the unenviable task of having to seek out a care provider. As luck would have it my sister found Alina Care & we had a meeting at their offices in Hemel Hempstead. From the get-go we realised they understood our needs & requirements & were flexible to adapt to those needs as & when required. I cannot enthuse enough about the quality of care & all the carers became friends & Mum felt that about them too. Consistently on time, always well attired & delightful caring people- all of them. We were never fobbed off with a revolving door of different faces & the app kept my sister & I fully informed about each visit which became a massive comfort to us. Whilst Mum has now gone into respite care , Alina were the perfect support when needed & can't thank them enough for all they did for Mum
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Alina helped keep my Dad safe in his own flat. The carers were flexible and friendly and the whole service was very responsive. Dad was seen by no more than two or three carers - and most of the time the same one each week - so they were familiar to him even though his short term memory is not so good these days. The app they use is terrific. The carers use it to record what they had done at each session and this helped me to keep an eye on Dad's care even though I live a three hour drive away. They cost a bit more than some of the other care organisations I looked at but I thought it was worth it for peace of mind.
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I rang a few local care providers and selected Alina based on initial conversation with the manager who was the most upbeat and positive individual I spoke with.
I was looking for 24x7 care for my 93 year old mother who was struggling to recover from breaking a hip, both physically and mentally.
The care requirement was for one week and at very short notice.
I subsequently met with the manager and her area manager who were both helpful, professional and understanding re the timescales and circumstances.
The actual carer allocated was very professional, engaged and positive. All friends and family (including Mum) were complimentary about her attitude, personality and contribution.
I spoke and met with her (carer) on a number of occasions to discuss progress and problems and was always reassured to know that all matters were being managed to my satisfaction.
I would have no hesitation recommending the service and people I dealt with from Alina
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We chose Alina care to provide extra help to mum and our family in January 2025. Mum was desperate to stay at home, however, as her dementia care needs increased Alina carers provided visits morning and evening. This helped relieve the pressure on family individuals providing care in the short term.
We found the communication app extremely useful as after each care visit we could read how mum was and whether any additional needs were identified. The staff ensured mum had a drink and snack before they left and spent time chatting to mum about her life.
Each time we contacted the office with requests for information on additional care packages the response was very prompt and extremely helpful.
Alina care provided a bridge to allow mum to stay home before she needed 24/7 support in a residential dementia care home and as a family we are grateful and would recommend Alina care.
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I had the misfortune of breaking my wrist in March. As I live alone I called in Alina Homecare for help. The team were absolutely first class, kind caring always willing to help and go the extra mile to make you feel comfortable. They came every time with a smile and good conversation . Made you feel completely at ease when you are feeling very low.
I would have know hesitation in recommending them and should I ever need them in the future they will be my first port of call. I thank the whole team from the bottom of my heart.
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I approached Alina to provide some temporary care for my mother while her regular carer was away.
I was impressed that despite the short period of care they needed to provide, they made a lot of effort to understand what my mother liked and disliked, what her background was and how they might be able to make her happy during their visits.
I was also impressed at the app. they used to make notes on each of their care visits. It was reassuring to see exactly what happened and when they visited.
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My wife has dementia and I was finding it a strain to care for her without a break. I found Alina homecare and I could not be more pleased. I feel I have support and I have seen a big difference with my wife. The manager has been amazing and her care and support has been nothing but amazing. She is bubbly and always has a smile on her face. I would highly recommend Alina Homecare Farnham. I will most definitely be sticking with Alina Homecare.
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I can't recommend this care provider too highly. The initial assessment focused on me as a person and what I needed (I needed short term care after an accident). All the visits were punctual and I felt very confident with the carer in the house. Washing, dressing, breakfast and small household jobs were all seen to with kindness, compassion and real expertise. The individual touches that I requested on the first day were never forgotten - what I like in my hair, a small spritz of eau de toilette. I was also accompanied on short walks. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this provider to any family needing confident, experienced and kind care for their loved one
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I was impressed with Alina Homecare from the visits beforehand by the management to the lovely lady who came three times a week for a few hours each day to care for my mum while I was on holiday. The carer was efficient, friendly and respectful of mum's needs. The app was a great help in giving specific details of each visit.
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Albeit short and sweet, only 2 weeks while my mother took a holiday with us, I can not fault the care and attention she received while here from the staff at Alina Homecare. We would definitely use their services in the future, and I, as the daughter, can only thank the staff for their understanding and the wonderful care they gave my mother while she was here; nothing was too much bother. Again, thank you.
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Alina carers have been visiting my aunt daily for a year now, and we are extremely happy with the service. She has mild dementia and is still living mostly independently. Knowing that someone from Alina is there every day, making her breakfast and ensuring she takes her meds is very reassuring. My aunt has been much less anxious since her "lovely ladies" have been coming. I have been particularly impressed by how much the Alina team really care - they often go above and beyond to ensure my aunt is happy and ready for the day. They always have a chat and a laugh, and little extras are no problem. Love the app too as it means I can always check in. Thanks Alina!
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What a hard-working and caring team Alina Ringwood is. The staff in the office work efficiently to ensure all runs smoothly and are quick to step in if something needs sorting. They found carers who met all of our Aunt's needs for both 24-hour live-in and break. They are highly experienced, calm and practical and committed to providing the best level of service that they can.
We had wonderful 24-hour care for our elderly Aunt, who wasn't the easiest to please. She was handled with kindness, patience and understanding. The team allowed her to have as much independence as she could cope with, whilst gently supervising and getting the very best out of her. We would like to thank all of the very special ladies who lived in with my aunt, especially her last carer who is a little ray of sunshine, who must get a special mention as she was a brilliant break cover - taking her out on trips which were much enjoyed. Thank you so much you were all amazing.
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Oh my goodness! I can't believe how absolutely fantastic the last few days have been with Alina Healthcare carers looking after me.
To allow my husband to have a well-deserved respite break, I approached Alina Healthcare to provide care morning and evening. I am a permanent wheelchair user with MS and require full assistance getting me up washed/showered and dressed in the morning plus getting me undressed and back to bed in the evening.
A full needs assessment was undertaken prior to the start of my husband's break and I had the opportunity to meet the staff who would be providing care.
Without exception, all the staff providing my care were wonderful. I was treated with dignity and respect at all times. The staff ensured that I was comfortable and satisfied with the care. They chatted with me throughout and we shared a good few laughs!
I really can't thank Alina Healthcare for making my first experience of being cared for by someone other than my husband so fantastic. Thank you!
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Although my mother only needed a short-term care package and ultimately didn't need it, I can't praise Alina Homecare's Ipswich Branch Manager highly enough for all her hard work. She was quick to respond to our initial enquiries, was professional, yet warm and understanding, efficient, extremely helpful and did all she could to assist us. I would certainly contact Alina Homecare Ipswich Branch again if ever care was needed.
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I have been a service user of Alina Homecare in my hometown ever since my homecoming from stroke rehab and have at all times found their service wholly professional, reliable and truly excellent.
I wanted a holiday with my family and my son together with his son and as a result, stayed again many years later at a very well-known holiday destination. Trowbridge branch stepped up to the plate and provided my care and were just ideal and perfect. What has always been a really good feature of Alina coming to my home in is that they are excellent in blending in with my longstanding and longsuffering wife and family a feature that was entirely true also of Alina Trowbridge.
Alina Brighton provides me with a weekly rota and invariably lists their excellent carers as professional carers, a term that definitely applies to the Trowbridge branch too. In short bravo to Brighton and Trowbridge branches!
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Mum went into a home earlier this year whilst we were away. She didn't like it so we asked Alina if they would be able to help with respite care in her own home. She was so much happier being able to stay home and we had peace of mind that she was cared for.
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Alina provides live-in care support for my mother for which, in general, I am very pleased. The quality of the live-in carers is very good with several being exceptional. The carers are all trained to a high standard for the provision of personal care and they all have a great deal of patience. My mother has vascular dementia which can be frequently challenging. The live-in carers provide all the necessary support for my mother which covers preparing all the meals and helping her to eat them, all the cleaning, washing and ironing plus, of course, personal care. They also provide companionship which can include reading or watching television together or just trying to have conversation.
I am always amazed by how well the live-in carers cope with all the day-to-day issues; they are all very compassionate people.
The live-in carers are relieved 2 hours each by visiting Alina carers. They are all very good, but these break times vary a lot.
I have no hesitation in recommending Alina though.
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My wife inconveniently lost her previous carer just over a week before going into booked respite care. Alina Homecare readily agreed to fill the gap despite the possibility that this would not resume when respite care ended.
Support was provided within 24 hours, for which we were extremely grateful.
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I was very pleased with the care I had when I came out of hospital. I was bedridden for the first few weeks so had help when I could shower and they made my breakfast and lunch to start with. They were all very kind and thoughtful. They changed the bedding and put it in the washing machine. They tidied the kitchen and bathroom as well.
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The manager was thorough with her assessment on the first meeting and put myself and sister at ease to go on holiday at the same time. She went above and beyond for my Dad who does not like people in his home. Having the app was fantastic being able to see how he was each day.
Thank you to the manager for everything we know where to come in the future.
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The care and compassion shown to Mum by all the carers in the past six months have been excellent, enabling us to keep mum living at home with us. Carers showed great understanding as her dementia advanced, they were respectful and continually cheerful. Mum always had a smile on her face when they arrived. We were very impressed with everyone involved in the management of her care, our requests for changes to visits, additional visits or respite breaks were handled quickly and efficiently. I would highly recommend the company.
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An excellent day care service from Alina. The carers are professional, well trained and in tune with my frail mother's needs. A reliable, punctual team of staff that the family trusts to care and prepare food and beverages for Mum; enabling a weekly 8-hour respite break for the family Mum lives with.
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Alina's lovely carers have been visiting my parents for about 7 months now, initially to get to know my mother, who has Alzheimer's and to also provide some respite care for my father (who we discovered has advanced prostate cancer during this time). It took a while for them to get to know Mum, who is often confused, agitated and sometimes aggressive. The lockdowns and the 'tight care bubble' she formed with Dad meant that Mum been refusing any care of any sort from anyone, (including the family). With patient, regular visits, the carers have got Mum onside and are now providing daily personal care to Mum and general support, keeping things ticking over for Dad. The app notes the carers take and share with us are also invaluable for helping to understand how Mum is and what other things we can do to support our parents. We are so happy with their fantastic work, and couldn't recommend them highly enough.
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I was discharged from a respite care home on 22nd June 2023 to my home which is a bungalow.
Not being able to walk properly or care for myself, Alina provided me with a live-in carer. The team leader couldn’t have been more helpful and caring. It was an uphill struggle to get funding from the local authorities but we managed it.
I needed proper nutrition owing to having intensive chemotherapy previously and my carer took on the challenge. I was provided with healthy nutritious food and soon began to thrive.
My mobility was greatly compromised initially but bit by bit I began to get about through the kindness and dedication of my carer.
I am very happy with the attention and help I received throughout and couldn’t fault the management team.
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I would just like to let everyone know that Alina Homecare are excellent at managing and executing the best care anyone could dream of.
My mother began her journey with Alina having a 1 hour a week companion call as through the Covid years she got very lonely and confused. At that time another care company were providing 3 visits a day to feed Mum at breakfast dinner and evening meal.
As Mum's health deteriorated and she needed extra personal care, the other care company pulled out. We were devastated at the looming prospect of Mum having to go into a home which she always maintained she did not want to do.
Alina Homecare took on the extra visits and nursed Mum until the day she sadly passed away on January the 10th 2024.
All of the carers and the management team went over and beyond the call of duty to ensure Mum's care was delivered with the utmost compassion and dignified manner.
Top marks for this incredible care company.
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Extremely impressed with Alina Homecare Bristol North. I was looking for a company to cover the daily breaks that live-in carers have, Alina came to the rescue at very short notice and were the only company who were able to cover all the days I was looking for. Mum has been assigned a very small team of lovely carers and I can tell that she enjoys their visits. The visit reports are very detailed and are really useful. Everyone is friendly, approachable and professional, any requests are dealt with promptly and efficiently and nothing is too much trouble. It's a huge relief to know that Mum is receiving first class care. I cannot praise them highly enough and have no hesitation in recommending them. Thank you!
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We were slightly anxious about getting care for Mum for a two-week break but after meeting the manager, she put us at ease as she understood Mum's needs instinctively. The lovely live-in carer we had for Mum was excellent and we had every faith in her. She was professional and supportive and treated Mum with dignity. She was conscientious in maintaining Mum's personal care and hygiene, as well as keeping the house clean and tidy. All in all, a great complete care package and we would have no hesitation in recommending Alina Homecare to anyone.
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My husband has been ill for the last seven years with Parkinson’s plus disease. Over the years he has become increasingly dependent on me for all his care as he can no longer walk or even stand. As I had not had a day’s respite in four years my family were worried about my own health so my son wanted to take me on holiday for a few days.
I phoned Alina Homecare and was immediately put at ease by the manager who assured me that she could arrange a live-in carer who would do what I usually did.
Both the manager and carer visited our home and a really detailed care plan was put in place including a daily timetable to make the care seamless to help ease my husband’s very high levels of anxiety. The carer was very pleasant and followed the care plan
and the daily timetable. The manager also visited our home while I was away to ensure that everything was going to plan.
I felt that I could enjoy the few day’s respite knowing that my husband was being cared for properly.
Hopefully one day I will go on holiday again.
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I have used this service for 2 years.
A carer has provided excellent service every day, including Christmas Day and other bank holidays.
I have been very pleased and impressed with the care provided so far. All the staff that visit my father are kind, compassionate, friendly, and helpful. As well as helping with my father's personal care they also help him with his breakfast and wash up and clean up in his kitchen which I really appreciate. He tells me he enjoys having chats with them about lots of different subjects and he never feels rushed. I can keep a check on his care visits through the app which is fantastic.
Would definitely recommend.
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Our carer is extremely kind, willing and always cheerful. Nothing is too much trouble and it breaks up the day knowing that a friend is coming.
Alina Homecare took over the care of my husband when I was looking for a company who would put my husband's needs in front of their convenience. The management team took time to understand my husband's needs. The carers who attended were competent, caring, patient and understanding. The local management team were very responsive to my requests for extra care at certain times, and did their best to provide what I wanted. However, the head office policy of having to pay for care when you don't need it, for example if you go for a week's holiday, regardless of the number of days or weeks notice you give, has meant I have had to terminate the contract earlier than I would have wished.
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My mobility has been a developing issue over the past 5 years and culminated in our moving from a hillside home in the country to central Cheltenham. In January 2023, I fell off a dining room chair, broke my hip and was hospitalised for 14 days. Our family were concerned that my husband (being 86 years old) would struggle to cope with the inevitable full-time care needed on my discharge from hospital and selected Alina to provide daily support.
The daily visits to help me to dress in the morning, make my breakfast, make the bed and undertake some general housekeeping tasks has been invaluable. It has given my husband some free time to continue a range of voluntary work as well as do some necessary shopping.
I also suffer from acute sight loss which means I have difficulty in other ways. I am prescribed a variety of medication and need help in finding and taking as appropriate. I also appreciate having the newspaper read to me.
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I am very happy with Alina Homecare. The carers are extremely good with
my husband, and he feels very comfortable with them and really enjoys their company. I feel I can safely leave him in their care, which means I can enjoy a little respite. The management team are also very good. I have at various times asked for a change of hours or days and have been accommodated without a problem.
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Mum has received visits twice a day with this care provider for several years now and the standard of care from the team has always been excellent. The carers are genuinely thoughtful and kind and I am reassured that Mum is in good hands which allows me to take a break with peace of mind. We just wish that the external pressures and ongoing challenges of the times we are all living in were less and worry that precious care staff are not receiving the support they deserve making them vulnerable to burnout and leading to many moving on to other jobs. We thank all of the ladies that have helped Mum over the years.
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Very high-quality care. All the carers are excellent and very competent. My dad has cognitive impairment, but the carers are great at motivating him. They often get him walking and are great at promoting and supervising him. I have complete peace of mind that my dad is being well cared for while I take a break from caring.
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My mum has been receiving respite care from Alina Homecare twice a week for about 10/12 months now and we are so happy with their service and as I am not local, it is 'so' reassuring knowing Mum is so well cared for.
The communication from the carers and the office staff is always brilliant, Mum only has positive things to say about the carers that come to her, she loves her visits and always speaks very highly of the carers, who go above and beyond.
I highly recommend Alina Homecare - thank you for everything that you do.
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Alina Homecare have been providing my mother with care for the last three years. Over this time my mother has become increasingly dependent on their services for her day-to-day care. Some of the carers have been excellent, anticipating what needs doing to make Mum's life easier, making her feel safe and well looked after. Others have needed more guidance which has led to some anxiety and frustration. The timing of visits has at times been unreliable, and while this sometimes can't be helped, it would have been helpful if my mother or I could have been notified, so that Mum was not left worrying that no one was coming. More recently, communications from the local office have improved enormously.
While costs are rising for everyone, I do feel that Alina's charges have risen out of proportion, particularly relating to visit times of less than an hour and rates at weekends and Bank Holidays.
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I cannot thank the manager enough for all her help she has given me over the last few months, with the help l heeded for my husband. She never ever let me down and l know how difficult it must of been for her at times. A big thank you also to a staff member who was standing in for the manager when she was on holiday. My husband was in hospital at the time and l couldn't take him home until l had a care package in place. I rang Alina homecare, spoke with a staff member, explained the situation and within the hour a package was set up and my husband came home the following morning. The care staff are excellent professional and very friendly. Thank you all.
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Alina care started with me following my discharge from hospital after several weeks in Critical Care. I found the carers were very professional, kind, caring and encouraging. Nothing was too much trouble. It was good to have the same two carers (other than due to holiday or sickness). It was great to nominate the time that you wanted and they always arrived exactly on time. Having now stopped having care due to the progress I have made, it is like missing friends calling.
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Since early May 2022, my 93-year-old mother has been receiving care visits from Alina while my wife and I have had to travel away from home for our work. Whenever we return, my mother tells us how pleasant the carers had been, also reminding her to eat the lunch and dinner portions we had prepared for her in advance.
Although my mother is pretty good at looking after herself when we are away, the care visits break her day up, giving her essential mental stimulation, whilst at the same time, reminding her of the basic things she needs to remember to do to stay healthy and safe e.g. eating/drinking regularly, taking her medication etc.
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I cannot fault the care that Alina provide to my elderly mum who has dementia. They do so much for her and even I'd say spoil her at times making her a special breakfast or tea. It's as if they are looking after their own mum. I have also come to know many of them, they are always friendly and cheerful even though they may have worked very long hours. I would thoroughly recommend them to anyone.
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I am so pleased with how every staff member cares for my mother. Office staff and carers alike care for her as if she was their mum. So friendly. helpful, caring. Mum enjoys seeing each and every one of them. They are always punctual and write everything down so I can see how she is and what was done if I am not at home. I had full confidence that she would be well looked after when I was on holiday for 4 weeks and Alina provided live-in care. Absolutely brilliant.
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Mum lives in the Brightlingsea area and was in respite care when we approached Alina Homecare Colchester about the possibility of them providing care at mums home address. Alina Homecare Colchester were very thorough in their preparation work by going to the care home to discuss with mum and myself and my brother what mum's likes, dislikes and needs are. I really liked their considerate approach towards mum. They had in mind several carers to call on mum who they felt mum would respond to. After mum was at home for a little while they reviewed how the care package was working and if any adjustments were needed. We have found Alina Homecare Colchester provide really good feedback to myself and my brother who lives abroad, so he feels more connected and involved in mum's care as well. Alina Homecare Colchester has provided mum with support and a level of independence to continue living at home for as long as possible.
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My mother has come to live with us this year and we have agreed that we need one day a week when my husband and I can go out without worrying about leaving her alone. This allows all involved to have a break from each other. Alina Homecare, Cambridge have been brought in to provide this service by providing a friendly face to come for a two-hour visit weekly. Conversation, tea, and cake have all been shared but the carer was well briefed on the first day and had obviously done her homework on mum's varied medical issues before she arrived. Having had this service for four weeks now it's been wonderful. The carer has provided that consistent, comfortable, respectful but competent presence that gives me peace of mind and mum a friend who can help her as required. Thanks to the whole team who have been professional and caring throughout what could have been a very fraught time.
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We cannot praise Alina staff and carers enough. They stepped up when we needed care for my mother in law after a fall, just before a holiday and got a care package in place in less than a day! What was initially was going to be a temporary arrangement for a couple of weeks became a normal package caring on a daily basis. One of the main reasons for this was the ladies who cared for her were empathetic, tender and reliable. They treated her with great respect and they became her friends and she looked forward to their visits. They made her last few months of independent living much easier and we do not hesitate to recommend their services for future clients.
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I have used Alina's live-in carer service to look after my mother for just under 2 years in her own apartment. All of the carers have been good and one in particular - who has cared for my mother for many months across 3 separate stints - has been excellent. Respite carers have also been first-rate and communication with the branch and finance teams is good and reliable.
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My dad has been having regular care from Alina for nearly 6 months. He consistently sees the same carers, and I get sent a rota every week, so I know who is going. As he has dementia so having the same carers most days is great, as he needs people who can get to know him, and can deal with the sometimes strange things that are consequences of his illness. When I have needed to speak to the office to change the days we have the carers, I have found the company to be very flexible, always helping me if we need extra help and not charging me if I have cancelled care for any reason, for example taking Dad on holiday. If I've asked the carers to do any specific jobs they have been happy to help. I was really apprehensive about choosing care for my dad, but having Alina visit has given me great peace of mind and relieved pressure on us as a family allowing my dad to stay at home safely, which is what he wants.
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My wife has Dementia and it is now fairly advanced. I have been caring for her on my own for the past 8 years.
Following a recent stay in hospital, the Support Services people offered to help and I accepted it. After the temporary help, I was allocated Alina Homecare Ringwood and they started supporting me about 2-3 weeks ago.
I find the people who come to our house very helpful, supportive and friendly. They all seem genuinely good people who are happy with their work.
I am very happy and grateful for the support that I am receiving from these good people.
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My mum, who has severe mixed dementia is post-stroke and very unsteady on her feet, lives with my husband and I. Due to a back problem myself, I needed assistance with showering Mum and also wanted to give Mum the opportunity to have a chat with other people, which she thoroughly enjoys. Of course, this has not been possible during lock-down (she's been shielding since February) which has had a knock-on effect to her dementia which appears to have deteriorated.
The Alina Team have been wonderful, so helpful, kind and accommodating to Mum's needs. Mum still likes to be in control and the carer comes around twice a week and helps Mum to shower and wash her hair wash. She helps Mum get dressed and after, sits and has a chat and a cup of tea and they have struck up a lovely friendship. Just this hour or so gives me respite and gives Mum a chance to have a good old natter.
The carer put Mum's mind at rest from the first visit and is so thoughtful. Nothing is too much trouble for her.
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I had been looking after my mother for four and a half months without any assistance and consequently I was looking for an agency to give me some much needed respite. With Alina I have not only received this but the carers have been excellent and given my mother some additional company which has been very good for her, striking the right balance of being very caring but never condescending. This has allowed me some time to myself to recharge my batteries and consequently become a better carer for my mother.
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When offered respite care for my husband after months of sole care, I felt somewhat reluctant to accept help from relative strangers, but my experience couldn’t have been better. Time was taken to establish our unique circumstances and tailor a support package that comprehensively not only matched our needs but surpassed any expectations. From the outset, a carer was selected with the qualities and personality to ease any concerns we may have had. Our carer is incredibly hard-working, consistent and reliable. Each week she returns like a breath of fresh air and offers four hours of hands-on love and support I never dreamed possible. Just knowing that I have time to meet a friend, attend an appointment or spend the valued commodity of time any way I please, has made such a big difference to this ongoing situation. From ironing, cleaning, gardening, to walking the dog to help my husband’s rehabilitation, nothing seems beyond our Carer's willingness to make a difference.
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Alina have been caring for my Mum for the past three months and we are very happy with the service provided. In the morning she is given a wash and breakfast and a lunchbox is made for her to have at lunchtime. They ensure her medication is taken and her water jug is topped up. In the evening a hot meal is prepared and they ensure she has taken her meds and is comfortable and happy before they leave. They left a little gift on one visit of some homemade cakes and cookies for her to have with her tea which was such a lovely touch. We recommended them to a friend who now also uses them.
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I cannot fault the care that my nan gets from ever carer that steps through our door; they are polite and friendly, even in these crazy times at the moment where my children are home, so its a madhouse; they even speak to the children. My nan loves it when the carers come twice a week. Thank you for helping me and just giving me a little break.
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The agency provided a bespoke service for my friend which enabled her to continue to live in her own home.
The carers that I met were all very kind and positive and had a lovely way of dealing with my friend who has Alzheimer's.
They were prepared to go the extra mile to ensure she was happy.
Before the carers were involved she was not eating properly or taking her medication. They made sure she had at least two if not three meals a day - my friend was not a big eater at the best of times - and always took her daily medication.
She has enjoyed many trips out which usually involved having either breakfast, elevenses or lunch and the odd spot of shopping.
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On contacting the company, they visited my mum and introduced themselves. Very friendly and professional staff. My mum really enjoyed their visits while we were on holiday. Will certainly use them again. Highly recommended.
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My mum finds it very difficult to accept that she now needs help with washing and dressing, and does not accept this help willingly. The staff from Alina Homecare Chobham, have been wonderful - patient, compassionate, and really understand the challenges older people face when having to accept help. Mum is very fussy and wants her carer to come at 8.00am prompt. There have been one or two occasions when they have been a little bit later, but this has not been too much of a problem for her, because all the staff have been so wonderful. I would have no hesitation in recommending Alina Homecare Chobham. Their prices are competitive and what one would expect to pay for high-quality care. There was one carer in particular who is an absolute star, but I'm not allowed to name her! I went on holiday for a week and felt so relieved because she kept in contact with me by email as Mum was not too well.
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It is my pleasure to provide a review for Alina Homecare, Hatfield, who are currently looking after my father by providing three visits daily since Nov 2018. His medical condition is such that he struggles with short term memory together with other issues associated with an 87-year-old.
In my experience, the team at Alina provide a quality of service that is of an extremely high standard that instils peace of mind for both client and relatives.
The team are always approachable and where necessary receptive to implementing change if required. Alina adopts a telephone check in and out policy and provides legible daily record keeping, essential for traceability.
Without hesitation, I highly recommend Alina Homecare and would suggest that they are the benchmark to follow.
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Care provided whilst I was on holiday. I have complex needs as I am unable to move from the neck down. I have vulnerable skin.
I found all the staff punctual, friendly and personalised, e.g. I was never referred to as 'her' or 'she'. I was treated with dignity and respect. Staff were genuinely interested in me and my lifestyle but in an appropriate way.
There was consistency in the carers provided.
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Fully managed support
Dedicated Team
Our experienced local Teams know their communities inside out. From your local GP to your local supermarket, their knowledge helps make life easier. With central support, you can enjoy added peace of mind.
Quality Team
Our central Quality Team sets us apart from agencies and self employed Carers. Our award winning care is reliable, regulated by the CQC and reinforced by our unwavering commitment to high quality care.
Exclusive Training
All our Respite Care Workers receive excellent advanced training through our exclusive Alina Homecare Academy. We don’t use agency or freelance employees to protect our high quality reputation.
Care Monitoring App.
Enjoy full transparency via Birdie, our care monitoring app., allowing you and your loved ones to track Respite Care as it happens. The app. logs and monitors all aspects of care for added confidence and peace of mind.
About our Team
Our Team of friendly Respite Care Workers have received training through our exclusive Alina Homecare Academy and are ready to help. From laundry to cooking, or even just popping in for a chat, we can help.
At Alina Homecare, we’re regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and proud winners of the homecare.co.uk Top 20 UK Home Care Group Award 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025. We are extremely proud of the standard of care we deliver and we’re passionate about making what we call the ‘Alina Difference’ to peoples lives.
It’s no wonder why 99.7% of clients say they’re satisfied with our care and support!
Cost of Respite Care
The cost of Respite Care at Home varies according to your needs. Our Team works with you to find a personalised care plan that suits your requirements, routine and budget.
Complete our cost calculator to learn more about the cost of Respite Care.
When you get in touch, we can arrange a no obligation free home visit to discuss your needs in more detail.
Quick questions
What is Respite Care?
Respite Care is a form of support where a professional Carer covers for a regular caregiver. There are many types of Respite Care available, both inside and outside the home. At Alina Homecare, our Respite Care service is mainly for primary caregivers to take regular breaks away from their responsibilities. We maintain continuity of care and ensure the person receiving care has their needs met while their regular caregiver is away. Find your local Alina Homecare Team to learn more about how we can help you.
What is included with Respite Care?
Respite Care can include any aspect of our Home Care services. It’s also available as Live-in Care, where a Carer moves into your or your loved one’s home to provide 24 hour care. Our Care Workers can help with all manner of daily tasks, such as using the bathroom, making a meal or going out on a day trip.
How can Respite Care help me?
Having a professionally trained Care Worker support your loved one ensures that regular caregivers can have much needed time for themselves. The prospect of caregiver burnout is a very real risk for many and Respite Care is a great way of ensuring your own wellbeing and the best quality care is available for your loved one.
What does a Respite Care home visit involve?
If you are considering Respite Care, we recommend arranging a free home visit from our local Team to discuss your loved ones care needs. The reason for an initial home visit is to ensure a care plan is tailored specifically to you and your loved one’s needs and preferences. We take time to get to know you both, understanding likes and dislikes so we can provide care that’s tailored.
Arranging care for the first time, or taking a break as a regular caregiver, can be stressful and daunting. There are often a lot of questions that need answering and our local Teams are ready to chat when you need them. To get started, find your local Team.
What are the different types of Respite Care?
There are many different types of Respite Care available and not all forms involve remaining in your own home. The type of care you and your loved ones choose should ultimately depend on your specific needs. At Alina Homecare, we specialise in providing Respite Care in your own home to ensure continuity and independence are always maintained. Types of Respite Care can include:
Respite day centres – provide individuals with activities, social interactions, meals and much more. It’s always a good idea to visit the day centre before the respite period begins. This is a good way of ensuring staff know the person needing care. It can also help reassure the primary caregiver that the day centre is the right environment for their loved one. Some respite day care centres provide accommodation and additional services, including respite day centres specifically for younger individuals or particular healthcare needs. For instance, there are many dementia day care centres across the country.
Residential respite care homes – care homes are another option to consider for Respite Care. There are many different options for care homes, many with specific expertise like nursing homes and dementia care homes. Many of these homes offer Respite Care services in residential settings, where the person receiving care can meet and engage with others during their stay. However, getting respite space at short notice can be difficult. Some care homes do accept advance bookings to help you plan ahead such as if you want to book a holiday.
Respite Care at Home – not everybody enjoys, wants or has the opportunity to leave home to receive Respite Care. Home Care and Respite Live-in Care are viable options for many people. Both services allow you or your loved one to continue receiving quality care with minimum disruption or change. If the regular caregiver also lives with the person receiving care, Live-in Care can be particularly reassuring as it means a care professional is available at all times of the day.
Other Options – some people choose to move in and live with someone else for a short time to provide Respite Care. There are schemes available that support this such as Shared Lives Plus. This scheme enables individuals in need of one or two weeks of Respite Care to live with other individuals they get along with or with Carers who have opened up their homes for them. For more information, visit Shared Lives Plus for services they could offer in your area.
How can I fund Respite Care?
There are many different ways to fund care. Find out more by reading our guide to Home Care funding.
How much does it cost?
Respite Care costs vary according to the type of care needed, the number of care visits and where you live. To learn more and to get a free no obligation personalised quote, find your local Team.
Who pays for Respite Care?
Funding Respite Care will vary from person to person. As with other care and support, it will be means tested if funded by the council or a charity. Alternatively, it can be self funded. For a local council to agree to pay for Respite Care for either yourself as a caregiver or the person you look after, you must both have an assessment. This can be done on the government’s website. Alternatively, you and your loved ones can fund Respite Care and arrange it directly with a care provider like Alina Homecare. Once you contact us, we will assess your needs and provide a care plan and cost. Find your local Alina Homecare Team to get started.
Will a Respite Care break affect my benefits?
If you are a regular caregiver and take time off from caring for respite, there are rules to determine whether you will receive Carer’s Allowance. Generally, the rule is that you can continue to receive Carer’s Allowance for up to four weeks if you have a break from caring in a six month period. It’s always best to check with social services before arranging Respite Care.
How does Alina Homecare compare to an introductory agency?
Agencies are not regulated and quality cannot be guaranteed. We provide fully regulated services that are inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). We also provide full and exclusive training for our Care Workers, whereas private and agency staff may not have comprehensive training. In addition to this, our services are also backed up with central support; this means you can count on us even if your Care Worker needs time off, as our local Team can step in to ensure continuity of care.
How does Alina Homecare compare to an agency?
Agencies are not regulated and quality cannot be guaranteed. We provide fully regulated services that are inspected by the CQC. We also provide full and exclusive training for our Care Workers, whereas private and agency Carers may not have comprehensive training. In addition to this, our services are also backed up with central support; this means you can count on us even if your Care Worker needs time off as our local Team can step in to ensure continuity of care.
What areas do you cover?
We provide Respite Home Care across the South of England. Find your local Team.
How is Respite Care monitored?
Like all our services, our Respite Care is regulated by the CQC. This is an independent regulator that inspects our services to ensure our quality standards are maintained. This includes checking that our care is focused on our clients as individuals, as well as that we keep you safe and secure at all times. In addition to this, we are proud to partner with Birdie. Birdie’s innovative care technology enables us to digitally log and monitor the support we provide. The Birdie Family app., with your consent, also allows full visibility of care at any time for you and your loved ones. It’s a great way of providing added reassurance that you’re receiving the highest quality care.