What is respite care and how does it work?
Quick Summary
Respite care is temporary care arranged for your loved one when a regular carer or family member needs to take a break from their caring responsibilities. It can last from a few hours to several weeks, and can be provided through hourly care, overnight care or temporary live-in care.
This short-term care can be arranged in a way that works for you and your family, allowing your usual carer time to rest, go on holiday, attend appointments or deal with other commitments. Respite care can be planned in advance or arranged at short notice when circumstances unexpectedly change.
When is respite care used?
Respite care can be planned well in advance or arranged at short notice. It is used in a wide range of situations, more often than many families realise.
Common reasons families arrange respite care:
- A family carer needs a holiday or a period of proper rest
- A regular carer is unwell or unexpectedly unavailable
- Someone has been discharged from hospital and needs intensive short-term support at home
- A family member is recovering from surgery or an accident
- Care needs have increased temporarily and additional support is needed
- A family wants to trial home care before committing to a permanent arrangement
Types of respite care
Respite care at home can take several forms, depending on what is needed and for how long.
Hourly respite care
A carer visits for a set number of hours, once a day, several times a day, or a few times a week. This works well when care needs are moderate or when cover is only needed for part of the day. It gives a family carer time to rest knowing their loved one is in safe hands. Read more about hourly care.
Live-in respite care
A temporary live-in carer moves into the home for an agreed period, from a few days to several weeks. This is the most comprehensive form of respite care at home, providing round-the-clock support while the usual carer takes a proper break. It is particularly useful when care needs are significant, or when continuous overnight presence is needed. Read more about live-in care.
Overnight respite care
A carer comes to the home for the night, either as a sleeping night or a waking night, providing regular care overnight. This is often used when the person receiving care wakes frequently at night, allowing a family carer to get a proper night’s sleep. Read more about overnight care.
Emergency respite care
When something happens unexpectedly, emergency respite care can often be arranged within 24 to 48 hours. At TrustonTap, we understand that care needs do not always come with notice, and we will always do our best to respond quickly.
Why respite care matters — for carers
Caring for someone over a long period can be physically and emotionally demanding, particularly when it involves disrupted sleep or little opportunity for a break. Many family carers do not take breaks because they feel guilty doing so, or because arranging cover feels like one more complicated thing to do.
But exhausted carers are less able to provide good care, and put their own health at risk as a result.
Respite care gives carers the chance to:
- Sleep properly
- Attend to their own health needs — appointments, rest, recovery
- Spend time with other family members, friends, or simply alone
- Return to caring feeling genuinely recharged rather than simply coping
Why respite care matters — for the person receiving care
It is easy to think of respite care as being entirely about the carer. But a change can be genuinely good for the person receiving care too.
People who receive care from a family member can sometimes feel guilty about the effort involved, or become increasingly anxious about what would happen if that person were not available. Experiencing that someone else can step in is reassuring.
Respite care can also:
- Provide social stimulation and new conversation
- Give the person receiving care a sense of continuity and resilience
- Offer a chance to try new activities, or simply enjoy a different presence in the home
What does a respite carer do?
A respite carer provides the same quality of care as a regular carer. They are experienced, vetted professionals whose role is to make sure the person they are supporting is safe, comfortable and well looked after while the usual carer is away.
Depending on what is needed, a respite carer might help with:
- Personal care — washing, dressing, grooming and toileting
- Medication management and agreed support with medication
- Meal preparation and nutrition
- Mobility support and assistance moving around the home
- Companionship, conversation and keeping the person engaged
- Light household tasks — laundry, shopping, tidying
- Accompanying to appointments if needed
- Overnight presence and support
At TrustonTap we take time to understand the usual routine, preferences and needs of the person receiving care, so the transition is as smooth as possible and the carer can help you in the best way possible.
How long can respite care last?
Respite care can be arranged for almost any length of time. The duration depends entirely on what is needed.
| Duration | Type of care | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| A few hours | Hourly visiting care | Regular break for a family carer |
| One night | Overnight care | Sleep for an exhausted family carer |
| A few days | Live-in or overnight | Short break or unexpected situation |
| One to two weeks | Live-in care | Holiday for a regular carer |
| Longer term | Live-in care | Temporary ongoing support |
If you are not sure how long you need, talk it through with us. We will help you work out what makes sense for your situation.
How much does respite care cost?
The cost of respite care depends on the type of care, how long it is needed for, and the experience of the carer. At TrustonTap, short-term respite arrangements are priced slightly higher than ongoing care to reflect the flexibility of a shorter booking.
| Type of respite care | TrustonTap cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly visiting care | £23–£34 per hour | Varies by carer experience |
| Sleeping night | From £155 per night | 10pm–7am, travel included |
| Waking night | From £200 per night | 10pm–7am, travel included |
| Live-in | £1,200–£1,500 per week | Short-term rate, slightly higher |
For live-in respite care, there may be additional costs for food (£40–£60 per week) and mileage (55p per mile) if the carer uses their own vehicle for outings. These are agreed upfront with us.
Can I get help with the cost?
Financial help may be available towards the cost of respite care, including Attendance Allowance, local authority funding, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and NHS Continuing Healthcare, depending on your loved one’s circumstances.
Read our guide to financial support for care for eligibility, current benefit rates and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between respite care and regular home care?
The care provided is the same — personal care, medication, meals, companionship and household support. Respite care is temporary, arranged to give a usual carer a break or to cover an unexpected gap. Regular home care is an ongoing arrangement. A respite carer does exactly what a regular carer does, just for a defined period.
How quickly can respite care be arranged?
In many cases, respite care can be arranged within 24 to 48 hours, particularly for hourly or overnight cover. Live-in respite care may take a few days to organise, depending on carer availability in your area.
We understand that care needs do not always come with warning — a carer falls ill, a family situation changes unexpectedly, or someone is discharged from hospital sooner than anticipated. If the situation is urgent, contact us as early as possible and we will do everything we can to respond quickly.
Will the person receiving care have the same respite carer each time?
Yes. At TrustonTap we always aim for consistency, because familiarity matters. If you use respite care regularly, we will try to match you with the same carer each time so that the person receiving care gets to know them. If your usual respite carer is unavailable, we will discuss alternatives with you before making any changes.
Is respite care suitable for someone with dementia?
Yes, though it requires thoughtful planning. For someone living with dementia, change can be unsettling — a new face, a different routine, an unfamiliar presence. That is why we take time to understand the person’s routines, preferences and communication before a respite carer starts.
Can respite care be arranged regularly?
Yes. Respite care does not have to be a one-off arrangement. Some families arrange a few hours every week, or regular overnight cover, so that the main family carer has predictable time to rest or manage other commitments.
What if I only need a few hours of cover?
A few hours is fine — that is what hourly respite care is for. Whether you need two hours to attend an appointment, a morning to yourself, or an afternoon to rest, we can arrange cover for exactly the time you need. There is no minimum duration requirement beyond our standard one-hour minimum visit length.
You may also find these guides useful:
- What does a live-in carer do day-to-day? — if you are considering live-in respite cover
- Overnight care — sleeping and waking night cover, and what it costs
- Financial help and support — carer assessments, funding, and how to apply for support
How to arrange respite care through TrustonTap
If you are thinking about respite care, the first step is simply a conversation. There is no commitment at the enquiry stage, and no pressure to make any decisions before you are ready.
- Call us on 0808 278 1112 for a free, no-obligation chat about what you need
- Tell us about the person receiving care — their routine, their needs and what matters to them
- Tell us about the type of cover you need — hourly, overnight or live-in, and for how long
- We will identify experienced respite carers in your area and share their profiles with you
- You choose the carer you feel comfortable with before anything is confirmed
- We stay in touch throughout to make sure everything is running smoothly
or talk to our care team today on 0808 278 1112
