Many carers will need a break from caring from time to time. There are lots of different options that can be explored:
Support from family and friends
Family and friends may be willing to step in to take over caring for the person you look after on a regular basis, an occasional short break or a holiday. It might be worth having a conversation with them to see if this is something they would be willing to do. This may involve them staying at your home, if the person you care for lives with you, or it may mean that the person you look after would prefer to go and stay with family and friends for an extended period.
Grants for carers breaks
We provide funding to Carers First to provide grants to help carers take a break. This support is available to all carers over the age of 18 caring for someone over the age of 18 in Southend. For more information, please contact Carers First via email hello@carersfirst.org.uk or telephone: 0300 303 1555
Support from social care
If you need more regular support to help you take a break from caring, social care may be able to help.
If the person you care for has a care and support plan in place, it may include respite care, to give you a break from caring. This may be provided as:
- day care, where the person you are looking after goes to a day centre, or takes part in activities away from home, allowing you a break from caring
- support in a care home where the person you are looking after goes for a short stay
- someone to sit with and help out with the person
You can also request your own carers assessment which provides you with the opportunity to record the impact caring has on your life and what support or service you may need. Please see our how to get help page for more information.
Arranging care yourself
Carers UK has further information on taking a break, including help for arranging care yourself. They also have a directory of respire care providers and holiday companies which specialise in breaks for cares or care holidays.