Respite care for dementia

If you’re looking after a loved one with dementia, we’ve shared advice on how to arrange specialist short-term help and support.

Everyone needs regular breaks to rest and unwind, and this includes people who care for a loved one with dementia. This could be something as simple as a few hours a week to go shopping and see friends, or something longer, such as a long-weekend away or a summer holiday.

These breaks can be beneficial to the caregiver’s relationship with their loved one too. Having space and time away can help relieve pressure or negative feelings building up. 

Respite care, also known as replacement care can give carers the break they need while providing peace of mind that their loved one is being properly supported in their absence. 

What type of respite care is needed for someone with dementia? 

It’s not always straightforward to arrange respite care for people living with dementia. In the early stages, you may offer help with things that may cause confusion – such as paying bills or keeping appointments. However, if you’re supporting someone in the mid to late stages of dementia, you’ll likely be responsible for almost every aspect of their daily life – from feeding and dressing to managing their affairs. 

Even if you only plan on taking a few hours respite, the type of care you choose should be person-centered i.e it should respect and adapt to their individual needs. The carer should have experience in caring for people with dementia, with a proven ability to respond the right way to the mood swings and behaviour changes that can manifest at each stage of the condition. 

Dementia respite carers should have the skills and experience to –

• Create a safe environment. e.g looking for potential hazards, making sure walkways are clear, that hard floors aren’t wet or slippery, and sharp objects are out of reach. 
• Keeping them engaged. e.g talking with them and actively listening – without correcting them if they get something wrong, and assistance with activities and hobbies such as gardening or playing a board game.
• Helping with personal care e.g ensuring personal care tasks are done in the right order, that they’re looking and feeling their best, and are appropriately dressed for the weather. 
• keeping them as active as possible e.g taking walks, doing gentle exercise, and looking after their overall physical health 
• Supporting with sleep disturbances e.g helping to get them calm and back into bed if they wake up during the night.
• Supporting psychological health e.g reducing isolation by helping them to see friends and family, providing reassurance if they forget where they are, or experience a hallucination. 
• Managing behavioural symptoms e.g using specialist skills and patience to soothe them when they feeling frustrated, agitated, or sad.
• Making the right judgment calls if the unexpected happens e.g if they suddenly become distressed by a sudden noise, or if they refuse to do something that’s part of their daily routine. 

What are the benefits of respite care for those with dementia and their families? 

for elderly people with dementia, respite care creates the opportunity for them to spend quality time with and chat with someone new. It can offer a stimulating change of scenery, the chance to try new hobbies, and add renewed energy to their day-to-day lives. 

It also, of course, provides vital relief for caregivers. While supporting a loved one can be rewarding, in reality, it can be really challenging, and emotionally draining too. Informal caregivers need to feel able to take a break from their caring role for their own mental health, to give their mind and body a rest from the caregiver burden. Time away can help them reconnect with who they are outside of this responsibility, and return to caring with a brighter perspective. 

Different types of respite care offer different benefits too. 

In-home respite care 

If your loved one lives in a residential setting, for example, their own home or an assisted living facility they may benefit from receiving respite care at home. residential respite care is often recommended for shorter periods, or in instances where a person is likely to become distressed by staying somewhere new. 

• Stay in the familiar, comfortable environment 
• One-to-one care, rather than being supported by a staff of carers 
• Flexible options available – can be arranged for a carer to live-in, or visit throughout the day
• Maintain a regular and predictable routine
• Maintain a stronger sense of independence  
• Safety – current evidence suggests receiving care at home reduces the risk of falls or hospital admission