When a primary carer needs time away, live-in respite care ensures your loved one is supported at home with minimal disruption.
Learn how Elder makes it easy to find a trusted respite carer.
Find a carerCall us
Respite care is a type of short-term care that allows a primary carer – whether a family member or a professional hired by the family – to take a break from their day-to-day responsibilities. While the main carer steps away, a trained professional temporarily takes over to ensure the older adult continues to receive high-quality support.
Respite care can last from a few hours to several weeks and may take place in the person’s own home through services like live-in respite care, or in a care home or day centre. It’s designed to prevent carer burnout, safeguard the wellbeing of everyone involved, and provide families with flexibility and peace of mind.
There are several types of respite care available in the UK, depending on your loved one’s needs, preferences, and the level of care required. Each option offers short-term support to ensure your loved one receives the right level of help while their usual carer takes a break.
Home-based respite care allows a professional carer to support your loved one in their own home. This avoids changing routines or adjusting to new surroundings. Care is tailored to the individual’s needs and can be arranged for a few hours, overnight, or on a live-in basis. It’s flexible and can be planned in advance or booked regularly.
Provided in a care home or nursing home, this option offers 24-hour support in a regulated setting. It suits those with complex medical needs or recovering from a hospital stay. Some adjustment to a new environment may be needed, especially for those with dementia.
Day centres offer structured daytime activities, social interaction, and sometimes personal care. They are best for older adults who enjoy group settings and light stimulation. Some centres provide transport, depending on location and availability.
Respite holidays give a short break for both the person receiving care and their caregiver. Accessible hotels, retreats, and cruises may provide on-site care. These breaks require planning and are not always suitable for complex care needs.
Live-in respite care involves a self-employed carer of your choice moving into your loved one’s home for a set period of time.
For elderly people with complex care needs, live-in care may support better peace of mind to concerned family members compared to visiting care or residential care. This is because they’ll have the full attention of one dedicated carer.
Elder can also support with emergency respite care. Our responsive service has connected families to self-employed carers within 24 hours, and we can offer greater flexibility around start and end dates.
Respite care offers essential short-term support for older adults, giving their regular carer – whether a family member or a professional carer – time to rest and recharge. Whether planned in advance or needed at short notice, respite care brings peace of mind and practical relief, while ensuring continuity of care for your loved one. Here are the key benefits:
Familiar environment
Care at home prevents disruption and supports comfort, especially important for those with dementia or long-term conditions.
Maintains routine and reduces stress
Live-in respite care helps preserve daily routines and reduces anxiety for those with cognitive conditions.
Flexible scheduling
Care can be arranged for a few hours, overnight, or several weeks, fitting your schedule.
Cost and time effective
Avoid the expense and upheaval of care home stays. Repeat bookings with Elder can save money for regular short-term care.
Simple to arrange
With Elder, you can pre-book care periods, manage everything online, and reduce admin, making it straightforward to get support when needed.
Supports carer's wellbeing
Respite care allows the main carer to rest, focus on other responsibilities, or enjoy time for themselves, preventing burnout and sustaining long-term support.
Personal care
e.g. help with washing, toileting, and prompting medication
Dressing and grooming
e.g. shaving and hairstyling
Meal preparation
e.g. cooking meals to dietary requirements and tastes
Light housekeeping
e.g. vacuuming, keeping surfaces clean and doing laundry
Running errands
e.g. going to the shops or picking up prescriptions
Companionship
e.g. providing company and encouraging hobbies and interests
Pet care
e.g. feeding and exercising pets
Mobility support
e.g. encouraging gentle and suitable exercise
Light gardening
e.g. watering flowers and keeping pathways clear
Admin support
e.g. keeping on top of post, paperwork, and appointments
Medication prompting
e.g. ensuring medication is taken correctly
Ventilation and oxygen support
e.g. BiPAP or CPAP Support
Specialist drug administration
Including Controlled Drug Administration, Covert Medication Administration, Glucose readings via finger pricks, Injections, Pessaries, Enemas, Suppositories
Stoma care
PEG care
Wound care
We love sharing stories about how respite care has supported families across the UK. Hear from some of our customers and discover how a temporary carer helped their loved ones stay safe and comfortable at home, while giving primary carers the time and space they needed to rest and recharge.
With Elder, families pay £684+ for three days, and £1,595+ a week.
As with any type of care, there are funding options available. If you’ve not done so already, it’s worth asking your local authority for a care assessment. They’ll review your loved one’s needs and whether they’re eligible for financial assistance.
If you’re assessed as ineligible for help from your local authority, you may still be able to access help from a benevolent fund or charity. You can find information about possible funding sources from local carers’ groups, your GP, social worker or health visitor.
For more information, read our guide to the costs of respite care.
85% of us would want to stay in our own home if diagnosed with dementia. Elder makes this possible.
Arranging respite care requires some planning to make sure it meets your loved one’s needs and works for everyone involved.
Start with a family discussion
Talk openly with everyone involved in your loved one’s care. Consider their preferences, whether home-based care is suitable, and how to maintain daily routines while you or the primary carer are away. Explore options such as live-in respite care, care homes, or day centres to find the best fit.
Check funding options and get a needs assessment
Contact your local social services team to request a care needs assessment. If your loved one qualifies, a financial assessment will follow to see if they’re eligible for support. This process can take time, so start early. For urgent support, charities like The Carers Trust or Turn2us may provide short-term grants.
Consider a carer’s assessment
Primary carers may be eligible for a carer’s assessment through their local authority. This can provide additional support, including respite care, and formally records how caring responsibilities affect daily life.
Create a contingency plan
Plan ahead for emergencies to ensure peace of mind. Include emergency contacts, health and medication information, care preferences, and your preferred respite care option. Using Elder, these details can be saved in your MyElder account to arrange emergency care quickly and efficiently.
Tell us your care requirements using our request form, including the type of care you’re looking for, any specialist skills you need, and what daily life looks like.
You’ll start receiving profiles of suitable self-employed carers within 24 hours. Chat to them online or arrange a phone or video call, before choosing who you like best.
Once your agreement with your carer begins, use your MyElder account to chat with them and the Elder team, manage your schedule and care information, and find respite cover if you need it.
At Elder, we provide a full range of home care services to suit every need. If your loved one requires around-the-clock support or occasional help for a couple of hours, these options may be more suitable:
Long-term 24-hour support
Flexible home visits