When a primary carer needs time away, live-in respite care ensures your older loved one is supported at home with minimal disruption.
Learn how Elder makes it easy to find a trusted respite carer.
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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.
Find your ideal carer today
Finding the right carer starts with a few questions. If you need care urgently, or you'd just rather talk, one of our care advisors is on hand.
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. It also means your loved one enjoys the companionship of a familiar carer throughout their stay.
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.
Finding the right respite care can feel overwhelming, but hearing how others made the decision can help. Explore real family stories on our stories page.
When searching for short-term live-in care for her 96-year-old mum, Helen needed a solution that was both reliable and easy to manage. With Elder, she found a way.
Read Helen's story
Jan has been with Elder since 2017, care is for her mum (Jean) and dad (Fred). Jean and Frederick are in their 90’s and married 70 years.
Read Jan's story
130 miles apart, Sharon needed trusted home care for her mum. She shares how Elder provided the professionalism and support needed to reduce her stress.
Read Sharon's story
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 local authority funding, 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.
Respite care costs and availability vary depending on where you are in the UK, alongside factors like care complexity and how long you need cover for. That's why it's worth checking what's available in your own area rather than going on UK-wide averages alone.
Elder has introduced respite carers to families in over 500 towns and cities across Great Britain, including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Glasgow.
See more of the areas we cover. Don't see your town? Get in touch, it's likely we cover it too.
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.
Three clear steps to arranging respite care at home through Elder.
Tell us about your loved one, their routines, and the type of personal care support you are seeking, so we can help identify carers whose experience may be suitable.
Browse matched carer profiles, read genuine reviews from other families, and speak directly to carers before making any decision. You're in control of who you choose - we never assign someone without your agreement.
Once you've chosen your carer, you engage them directly. Use the MyElder app to stay connected, manage visits, keep family members in the loop, and handle payments securely - all in one place.
Ready to arrange care?
Start online in minutes to find your ideal carer.
Need guidance?
One of our Care Advisors is on hand to talk it through.
We're not the only way to arrange care at home - but families tell us Elder is the one they trust. Here's why.
You choose who comes into your home
Browse real carer profiles, read reviews from families like yours, speak to carers before committing, and make the choice yourself. Nobody is ever assigned to you without your agreement.
15,000+ five-star reviews
More than 15,000 reviews for the carers on our platform help you pick the best for your loved one. Read what they say – because their word matters more than ours.
Real peace of mind, wherever you are
Daily updates, notes and photos from your carer through the MyElder app mean you always know what's happening - without having to chase. Especially if you live far away.
The whole family, kept in the loop
Give siblings or other relatives their own access to MyElder - so everyone stays informed, not just the person who set care up. No more relaying updates between family members.
A real person to call, seven days a week
Your dedicated Family Support Specialist is there when things feel uncertain - whether you have a practical question, need reassurance, or something needs sorting quickly.
Rigorous vetting before introduction
Every carer goes through identity checks, Enhanced DBS or PVG checks, right to work verification, and professional references - all completed before introduced to a family.
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
How much does respite care cost?
Explore respite care costs at home or in a care home. Learn about funding, grants, and how to find the right financial support.
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Carer’s Allowance and Carers Credit
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Help for caregivers – accepting support
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Carer breaks – what to expect
Carer breaks and what to expect - Breaks are essential for maintaining the well-being of those who provide care to others.
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