How to get respite care for dementia patients
Respite care for dementia patients can either be arranged directly with your chosen dementia respite care provider, or via your local authority adult social care team, if you are eligible for financial support.
In either case, a care assessment will be carried out to find out more about how your dementia presents itself, the care and support you need, and the benefits that you are hoping to experience from your dementia respite care stay. Most importantly of all, it will check that your chosen dementia care provider is able to meet your needs during your respite stay with them.
Dementia respite care can be a brilliant way to get to know a dementia care home, particularly if you are contemplating a longer-term stay in the future. It can also provide a well-deserved break for loved ones who support someone living with dementia, allowing them to step back from their care responsibilities and go back to being a friend or relative.
What is respite care for dementia?
Respite care for dementia is a short stay in a residential care home which specialises in dementia support. Respite breaks can last for as long as you need, ranging from stays of just a few days, to several weeks or longer, subject to availability at the dementia respite care home.
Respite care includes everything you would expect from a longer-term stay at a dementia care home, including tailored, specialist dementia support, and access to all of the home’s facilities, activities and entertainment.
What are the benefits of respite care in dementia respite care homes?
The benefits of respite care in dementia respite care homes are there to support both the individual receiving care, and those who would normally care for them at home.
Respite care provides the opportunity of a well-deserved break for loved ones who act as informal carers, and a welcome change of scene for the individual living with dementia. A respite break can also deliver a relationship reset for all parties – enabling them to return to being family and friends, rather than carers and the individual receiving care.
The main benefits of respite care for dementia patients include:
- An opportunity for the dementia patient to relax and recharge, whilst their informal carers also take a break;
- The peace of mind that comes from knowing that the individual is in safe hands, thanks to the expert, specialist support offered in dementia respite care homes;
- A chance to try out a dementia care home on a short respite break, to help inform plans for future care;
- Access to all of the dementia respite care home’s facilities, including home-cooked meals, laundry and housework, communal amenities such as on-site salon and barber, gardens and shared spaces for receiving visitors;
- The opportunity to take part in activities trips out and entertainment provided by the home;
- A chance to meet new friends and get to know fellow residents.
Respite care for dementia patients can also be called upon as an emergency care option in circumstances where those who normally care for the dementia patient are unable to do so, perhaps because they are away or are themselves unwell.
What is the best way of overcoming respite care concerns?
It is only natural that for some people, the idea of staying away from home, even on a short respite break, might feel daunting.
It’s often a great idea to arrange to look around the dementia care home beforehand, helping to build a sense of familiarity with the surroundings, and meet those who will be providing the individual’s dementia respite care. You could also consider booking in for regular day care visits, ahead of arranging a respite care break which involves overnight stays.
Arranging a short respite care break in the first instance can also be helpful – it is long enough to set the individual’s mind at rest and allow them to feel safe and secure, whilst not feeling overwhelming. This can make subsequent stays something to look forward to – in fact, returning respite visitors often consider their stay to be a holiday which just happens to also include the care they need!
How much are respite dementia care costs?
Respite dementia care costs are dependent upon a number of factors, including length of stay, the level of care needed, and the facilities on offer at the selected dementia respite care home.
Depending upon your individual circumstances, you may qualify for financial assistance with your respite care costs.
You may also find that certain dementia respite care homes run special offers at certain times of the year, so it is always worth contacting the care provider directly to check if this applies.
Which dementia care homes offer respite care?
We offer respite care breaks in all of our specialist dementia care homes, meaning that we have the location, the expertise and the tailored care you need.
Talk to us about how we can support your dementia respite care needs, and find out more about availability to suit your requirements.
The perfect care solution
We offer respite care breaks in all of our specialist residential care homes, meaning that we have the location, the expertise and the tailored care you need.
