Providing full-time care for another person is often looked upon as a virtuous endeavour. However, the realities of being a full-time carer for a family member or loved one can be very different from the romanticised image of self-sacrifice and philanthropy which is often promoted.

Carers often face gruelling work schedules of monotonous, unrewarding tasks which are physically demanding and mentally exhausting. Additionally, carers often have difficulty finding support from within their families, leaving them to face the never-ending care responsibilities come rain or shine, in sickness and in health.

This lack of support generates another problem for caregivers: they become the sole trusted carer generating a bond of absolute dependence.

Woman Crying Onto Plate With Cock On It

Limitations full-time care puts upon a carer

For people providing full-time care, many things that most people take for granted are no longer an option:

  • Travel becomes impossible. Not only are holidays out of the question, so are any kind of event that requires the carer to be away for more than a few hours: no travelling to visit relatives, no family events or parties, no days out.
  • There are no days off. For many people providing care within their families, weekends do not exist, nor do sick days.
  • They are permanently on call. Carers know that they may be needed at any time, day or night. There is never a good time to let your guard down or let your hair down.

Inevitably, though, carers are not superhuman and everyone gets ill, faces unforeseen circumstances or needs a break. Fortunately, emergency respite care for the elderly can help in any number of circumstances, providing a temporary solution for the dependent person and their carer.

What is respite care for the elderly?

Woman Celebrating Freedom In The Snow

Emergency respite care for the elderly encompasses a range of services, designed to cover all of a dependent person’s care needs for a short period of time.

Emergency respite care is used primarily when a carer is taken ill, suffers an accident or an unforeseen circumstance or dies; but emergency respite services are also available to give carers the opportunity to take a break for a few hours or even a holiday.

Respite care can also be used as an intermediary step when an elderly dependent person leaves the hospital but is not quite ready to return home due to their care requirements. Respite care for the elderly can provide a welcome change of environment for a dependent person, offering social activities and even a holiday experience as a break from the usual routine.

What emergency respite care services are there?

There are a number of options offered to caregivers in need of a break. These range from short visits by volunteers to temporary stays in a care home. It is important for carers to remember that, although it’s normal to feel a sense of guilt when searching for respite care options, all these options have been designed to cover everyone’s needs, but also to add variety and improve the quality of life of the carer and the dependent person alike.

The most common emergency respite services available include:

  • Visits from friends, family or volunteers
  • Occasional sitting services
  • Homecare services
  • Daycare centres
  • Short stay in a care home
  • Respite holidays

What is emergency respite care for the elderly?

Emergency respite care for the elderly can include a range of services, all designed to cover the needs of a dependent person should their usual carer be unavailable.

Although all too often this isn’t something that’s contemplated until the need arises (as carers are busy providing care), making provisions for emergency respite care is extremely important and provides a sense of comfort and relief to all involved.

Planning for emergency respite care and elderly person with dementia

Whether you are a dependent person, a carer or you are a concerned family member or friend, making an emergency respite care plan will provide great peace of mind in the event that an unforeseen circumstance should arise.

Think of an emergency contact (a friend, family member or neighbour) who can step in for a few hours at short notice, and make sure that those in your immediate circle have their number.

Make sure to leave clear instructions on:

  • How to gain access to the home (or make sure they have a key).
  • The care schedule for the person they will be looking after (meals, medications, hygiene, routines).
  • Notes on anything helpful such as entertainment preferences, whether there are any pets that need attending to, likes or dislikes, etc.
  • Any care arrangements you have previously made such as emergency respite stay in a care home. Make sure the telephone number of the centre and the details are available.
  • Respite stays in a care home

Whether you are trying to plan a break or put together an emergency care plan, a respite stay in a care home may be an option well worth considering.

A care home already has the existing infrastructures and services required to attend to all the needs of a dependent person and can offer a rapid, fully responsive service in the case of an emergency, taking away the hassle of last-minute calls to friends and relatives for support.

Care homes can also offer entertainment and a social network, providing a quality, enjoyable experience for the dependent person as well as a break for the carer.

Can I get funding for respite care?

Small Young Hands Touching Fat Old Hands

Both the NHS and your local council can provide guidance and funding options for respite care.

In order to get council funding, you will have to complete an assessment: carers require a carer’s assessment and the dependent person will require a needs assessment.

These assessments will detail the precise needs of the dependent person and their financial situation to decide whether they qualify for respite care and whether the council should fund it entirely or in part.

There are also some charities such as ‘Carers Trust’ or ‘Turn2Us’ that help find grants for carers with financial difficulties in need of respite.

If you require emergency respite care for an elderly loved one, or even if you are putting together an emergency respite care plan for yourself or for someone else, get in touch with Jackman’s Lodge.

We’re proud to offer a wide range of emergency respite services as well as residential care and palliative care services. We understand that the care of your loved ones is of the utmost importance to you and that it is a very sensitive issue.

Our friendly team at Jackman’s Lodge are here to put you at ease by answering all of your questions about emergency respite care, offering reassurance every step of the way.

Let us offer you the support you need. Call us on 01483 761779 to learn more about our emergency respite care services for the elderly. Alternatively, click here for more information.