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Cost of Respite Care

Quality, cost effective Respite Care in your home.

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Clients receiving Respite Care

About Respite Care costs

What is Respite Care?

Respite Care is a form of temporary care where a professional Carer covers for a regular caregiver. Everybody needs a break at some point but for many primary caregivers, finding time can sometimes feel like a real challenge.

The purpose of Respite Care is to provide caregivers with an opportunity to rest, recharge and attend to their own needs to prevent caregiver burnout. At the same time, it ensures that loved ones receive appropriately excellent care and support in their absence.

No matter how much or little care your loved one needs to continue to live independently at home, we can help. We offer many services, from short visits to Overnight Care and Live-in Care to enable both short and longer term breaks.

Your home. Your care. Your choice.

Female Carer and female client who receives Respite Care smiling
Female Carer with male client who receives Respite Care smiling

What are the different types of Respite Care? What is the average cost?

There are many different kinds of respite services. All Respite Care providers aim to offer temporary relief for primary caregivers of older adults or individuals with disabilities, illnesses or chronic conditions. According to the NHS, the average cost of these services is around £700-£1500 per week, depending on various factors.1 Contact your local Alina Homecare Team today to get an accurate quote for Respite Care. 

The most common types of Respite Care include:

Visiting Respite Care at Home

Regular caregivers, often a family member or close friend, receive assistance from skilled care professionals who visit the home to provide care. This can sometimes be in the event of an emergency, but is often used to enable a regular caregiver to have a scheduled break from their usual caregiving duties. Respite Care at Home can include any of the services and responsibilities you’d expect from other forms of Home Care. This includes, but isn’t limited to, Personal Care, Companionship, medication management and reminders, as well as assistance with daily activities.

The average cost of Respite Care at home in the UK is dependent on various factors, such as where you or your loved one live, the amount of care needed and how long it is needed for. For overnight or 24 hour Live-in Respite Care, costs will be higher.

Respite Day Care Centres

Respite day care centres offer care and supervision for adults during the day, often with a group of Carers providing support for several individuals at the same time. At a day centre, individuals have the chance to participate in social activities, receive meals and access support services while their primary caregiver takes a break.

The average cost of a respite day care centre in the UK will vary depending on factors such as the location of the centre, how much support it provides and the facilities it offers, as well as any additional services you or your loved one need. However, on average, the cost of respite day care centres in the UK ranges from £40 to £100 per day.

Residential Respite Care

With residential Respite Care, recipients stay in residential care facilities for a short period of time. This could be a nursing home or assisted living facility. Often, this is useful while a primary caregiver takes a longer break than just a few hours – such as going on holiday. Residential Respite Care facilities provide round the clock care and support in a safe and comfortable environment, which can be especially helpful if the person receiving care has more complex needs. This is also true if medical care is required.

The average cost of residential Respite Care in the UK also varies by location, care needs, facilities and services provided. On average, residential Respite Care in the UK can range from £600 to £1,500 per week. Of course, these costs will vary significantly based on other factors too like type of care facility (such as a nursing home vs an assisted living facility) and much more.

Emergency or Crisis Respite Care

Emergency and Crisis Care is a more short term care service that could be in your or your loved one’s home or a residential facility. Often, Emergency Care at Home is easier to arrange as it may not require as much notice. During unexpected or emergency situations, friend or family caregivers may be unable to provide care for a period of time.

Emergency Respite Care therefore bridges this gap and is often available through community organisations or the NHS. The average cost of Emergency Home Care services will also vary depending on the factors mentioned above and there may be additional charges for urgent or out of hours support.

Inpatient Hospital Respite Care

Sometimes, Respite Care can be provided in a hospital setting to give a regular caregiver a temporary break from caregiving responsibilities. This option is typically used for individuals with more complex medical needs who require specialist support.

Hospice Respite Care

Hospice Respite Care provides short term relief for caregivers while their loved one receives care in a hospice facility. This enables caregivers to have a rest and recharge with the reassurance that their loved one is receiving compassionate end of life care.

How much does Respite Care cost?

It’s important to understand how much and what type of care your loved one needs when choosing Respite Care as this will affect how much it costs.

We provide a wide range of care services to support your loved one. This includes short term stays in your home while a caregiver has a holiday but also regular support for scheduled breaks. 

Here are some factors that affect the cost of Respite Care:

Level of Care

The level of support that is provided by our Respite Care services will vary according to you or your loved one’s individual needs. For some regular caregivers, all that is needed is an hour away and our Respite Caregivers can step it to provide some Companionship and reassurance. For others, Respite Care can support with more complex requirements like hoisting or with intimate tasks like using the bathroom.

This then means a regular caregiver can focus on the other activities required to look after their loved one. When you enquire with Alina Homecare, we’ll discuss your needs and design a bespoke care plan that considers the level of care in the price we quote you.

Location

The cost of care varies according to where you live. In some areas, Respite Care will cost less than the national average and in others, it may cost more. For Respite Home Care, the best way to get an accurate indication of prices is to contact your local Alina Homecare Team.

Frequency of Visits

The cost of Respite Care is also impacted by the frequency of care visits you and your loved one require. For example, you may need daily support or you may just want a Carer to check in once a week to enable a regular break. 

Duration of Visits

The length of time you need Respite Care will also affect the cost. If a regular caregiver is going away for just an hour or two, it will be cheaper than if they are going on holiday, where care is needed for a number of days. If longer stays are needed, Live-in Care might be the most affordable option. Contact your local Alina Homecare Team to discuss the possibilities today.

Female Carer and male client who receives respite care laughing

Why choose Alina Homecare?

Two female Carers sitting beside female client in wheelchair

Understanding

Our Respite Care Teams have many years’ experience. We understand challenges and we’re ready to help you. Our entire service is designed to be simple and less stressful.

Alina Homecare Academy

Excellent Training

Our Carers are carefully selected and receive training through our exclusive Alina Homecare Academy. We don’t use an agency or freelance staff to maintain our quality reputation.

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Quality Care

Our strict performance guidelines, Care Quality Commission (CQC) ratings and transparency via our care monitoring app. give added peace of mind that quality is assured.

Female client & female Carer

Personalised Care

Our personalised care is unique to each person we support. Respite Care is flexible when circumstances change and always delivered with compassion, dignity and respect.

Contact us

Speak to our Team today!

Our Respite Care cost promise

We’re passionate about providing high quality Care at Home to make life easier for you and your loved ones. Our Respite Care service is:

Personalised

Respite Care can be sensitive, as the person receiving care trusts their regular caregiver implicitly and the caregiver themselves may be reluctant to leave them. We understand this situation and do everything we can to provide reassurance. A regular caregiver can enjoy a much needed break knowing their loved one is in good hands. Our tailored care plans take personal circumstances into consideration and we aim to meet your loved one’s unique needs every time.

Simple

Caregiver burnout is a real risk for unpaid carers. Respite Care from a professional caregiver can help reduce the strain on a regular caregiver while still ensuring the care recipient is well looked after.  Our whole service is designed to be straightforward to reduce stress. Our dedicated Care Teams work with you and your loved ones to create a care plan that’s suitable and that keeps the costs of Respite Care financially achievable.

Transparent

We understand the importance of being fully transparent regarding the cost of Respite Care. When you contact us, we can arrange a free no obligation home visit at a date and time that suits you. We’ll then meet with you to understand your and your loved one’s needs in more detail so our Team can create a personalised and fully costed care plan. This includes what you can expect from our services and is frequently reviewed to ensure it continues to meet your needs.

Value for money

Our Respite Care is competitively priced and delivered with our quality promise and high standards. We achieve this by ensuring that all our Care Teams receive excellent training via our exclusive Alina Homecare Academy. Enjoy peace of mind knowing your loved one is in safe hands.

Reliable

We take great pride in our reputation for providing high quality Home Care. Respite Home Care is a cost effective alternative to residential care and also often available at less notice, allowing your loved one to remain at home in familiar surroundings even in an emergency.

Highly recommended

We’re proud winners of the Top 20 UK Home Care Group Award for three consecutive years – 2021, 2022 & 2023. It’s no wonder 99.7% of clients say they’re satisfied with our care and support!

Female Carer on the phone
Female client smiling
Female client smiling

Improved Wellbeing

Respite Care is a great way to take care of both the regular Carer and the person receiving care. It helps to avoid the pitfalls of Carer burnout and stress, which ultimately means the quality of care delivered is better too. 

Stay Independent

Respite Care at Home enables you or your loved one to live life on your own terms. By staying at home rather than moving into a care home or day care centre, you remain in control of your own routine and activities. 

Personalised Support

Whether you or your loved one is recovering from an accident, surgery, stroke or a hospital stay, Respite Care can ease the recovery period. We ensure you have the personalised support you need to rehabilitate in comfort and safety. 

Build Relationships

Staying at home with Respite Care means you can choose to see loved ones whenever you wish, without being restricted to visiting times. For regular caregivers, it also provides an opportunity to focus on some time to yourself. 

More Variety

With Respite Care, both the caregiver and person receiving care have a chance to meet new people and break from their usual routine. Sometimes change and spending time with different people is as good as a rest!

Continuity of Care

Respite Care provides much needed continuity of high quality care. It means you can rest assured and know that you or your loved one will be looked after and receive dedicated care even when your usual caregiver is absent.

Personal Life

It isn’t uncommon that long term caregivers find themselves at a loss for how to spend their time.  By maintaining hobbies and interests as a result of Respite Care, caregivers can find more  time for themselves to preserve their personal life.

Better Relationships

Having time away from each other helps to maintain a healthy relationship. Respite Care gives a regular caregiver time for themselves, which can help to relieve possible frustration or resentment that might build up over time.

Why pay for Respite Care at Home?

At Alina Homecare, we understand that regular caregivers can only provide the very best care to their loved ones by also taking 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 be a great option with a short term regular arrangement that enables recovery. 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.

Quick questions

What’s the cost of Respite Care?

The cost of in home Respite Care depends on various factors. This includes the types of care needed, the frequency and the duration of care visits. With Overnight Care or Live-in Care, costs are charged at a fixed rate. To learn more about the cost of Respite Care, contact your local Team today. Alternatively, you can complete our costs calculator and receive a personalised quote.

Does the cost of Respite Care vary by location?

Yes, the costs of care vary depending on where your loved one lives, what type of care they need and how often. Contact your local Alina Homecare Team to learn more about Respite Care costs at home. 

How can I fund Respite Care?

Most of our clients fund their care with private pay, but your loved one may be able to receive financial assistance from the Government to help contribute to the cost. Learn more today by reading our guide to paying for Home Care. There are also caregiver grants available if you or your regular caregiver are taking a break. Carers Trust lists available grants on their website.

Do you get six weeks of free Respite Care?

If you or your loved one have had a stay in hospital, they may be eligible for six weeks free After Hospital care, often called Reablement Care. Talk to your healthcare professionals or hospital discharge team to find out more. 

Is Respite Care at Home cheaper than a care home?

A lot of the time, Respite Care at Home is more cost effective than moving into a care home. This is especially true for couples. However, everyone’s needs are different and we encourage you to make an informed decision about what’s best for your loved one. For instance, if they need specialist medication or equipment, a nursing home or hospice care may be a more suitable option. If in doubt, explore the differences between Home Care and care homes.

How can I arrange Respite Home Care?

We’re passionate about making life easier for people who need us, so arranging care involves only three simple steps. Call or send us an email to get started. We’ll then arrange a free, no obligation home visit to learn more about your loved one, their needs and share our costs before starting their care. We’ll guide you through the process to keep things as simple and smooth as possible. In the event of an emergency, call your local Team and they will do their best to accommodate your needs.

How is Respite Care monitored?

All our services are fully regulated by the CQC to ensure we provide high quality care. Additionally, we’re proud to have partnered with Birdie, an innovative care technology that enables us to digitally log, track and monitor the support we provide. Our Carers are guided by the Birdie app. to instantly make notes, record medications and flag concerns during visits so nothing is overlooked. With your loved one’s permission, the Birdie app. allows you and your family to have full visibility at any time about how care is being delivered.

How do you compare to an introductory agency?

Unlike introductory Home Care agencies or private Carers, the services offered by Alina Homecare are regulated and monitored by the CQC, who conduct assessments. Their reports and ratings of all inspected services are available online. Moreover, all our Teams are ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­DBS checked. We also provide exclusive ongoing training through our Alina Homecare Academy to ensure the professional care we deliver is excellent.

1. NHS, “Carers’ breaks and respite care“, Reviewed 14 May 2024

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