Why do they call it respite care?

The word "respite" means a short period of rest or relief from something challenging. In caregiving, respite care refers to temporary support that allows a carer to take a break – whether for a few hours, days, or weeks – while ensuring that the person they care for continues to receive safe, high-quality support. It’s called respite because it offers carers a chance to recharge, reduce stress, and look after their own wellbeing.

Who is respite care suitable for?

Respite care is suitable for older adults who need short-term support, whether due to illness, frailty, recovery from surgery, or changes in their regular care arrangements. It’s also ideal for people living with long-term health conditions such as dementia, reduced mobility, or other age-related challenges. At the same time, respite care benefits primary carers by offering them time to rest, recharge, or focus on other commitments. It ensures the person receiving care remains safe, supported, and comfortable while their usual carer takes a well-earned break.

How quickly can you get respite care?

With Elder, you can get respite care within 24 hours. In urgent situations, we can even match families with a suitable carer on the same day.

Does the NHS pay for respite care?

In some cases, the NHS can fund respite care, but this usually applies when the care is needed for ongoing medical or complex health needs. If your loved one is eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC), this can cover the cost of respite care, whether delivered at home or in a care home. Eligibility is assessed by your loved one’s local Integrated Care Board (ICB) through a Continuing Healthcare Checklist, which looks at factors like mobility, cognition, medication needs, and overall health. If the care required is primarily health-related, a full assessment may follow to confirm funding support.

Is respite care a good idea?

Yes, respite care is often a very good idea for both your loved one and their regular carer. It offers a chance for carers to take a well-earned break, reduce stress, and avoid burnout, which in turn helps maintain a higher quality of care in the long term. For your loved one, respite care – especially when delivered at home – ensures continuity, comfort, and safety. It also allows them to stay in a familiar environment with support tailored to their needs. Whether used occasionally or on a regular basis, respite care can strengthen relationships, improve wellbeing, and help everyone involved feel more supported.

Why is it important for respite carers to take a break?

A caring role can have big physical and mental health implications. Regular breaks ensure a carer has space to recharge their batteries, safe in the knowledge that a loved one is being well cared for. It helps to prevent caregiver stress and burnout, which over time may influence how you feel about the person you’re looking after.

Is there anything a live-in respite carer can’t do?

The live-in carers Elder works with are experienced, independent care professionals but they’re not registered nurses. While they can support with personal care, household tasks, companionship, and daily routines, there are certain medical tasks they can’t carry out. These include administering medication, stoma and catheter care, PEG feeding, and complex wound care. Not sure if live-in respite care is right for your situation? Create your free MyElder account to speak with a Care Advisor – no pressure, just expert guidance.

What is the 28-day rule for respite care?

In the UK, the 28-day rule affects certain benefits like Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and Attendance Allowance if respite care is funded by the local authority. These benefits may be suspended if the person receiving care stays in a care home for 28 days or more, either in one stay or across multiple stays with gaps of 28 days or less between them. Time spent in hospital before entering a care home also counts towards the 28 days. However, the rule does not apply if the person is self-funding their care or if there are 29 days or more at home between respite stays.

What happens if I don’t know how long I’ll need respite care for?

Sometimes it’s difficult to know how long you’ll need care for, for example if the person who normally provides care falls ill, or if additional support is needed to support recovery after an illness or operation. With Elder, you can book a period of respite care with a rough end date. Simply give us a call and let us know if you need to extend or amend your dates.

Can I book the same carer each time?

Yes, if your preferred carer is available. It can help to book multiple periods at once if you can, to ensure your requirements can match up with your carer’s schedule.

Do I need to resubmit my information when rebooking care on MyElder?

Not at all. Your MyElder account is a living document – it’ll exist for as long as you need it. All you’ll need to do when booking future care is check that the information in your care profile is still correct, and update any areas where the care needs have changed.

How do I manage respite care for my loved one?

Your MyElder account has been built to be your all-in-one care management platform. With it you can: Add other family members to get them involved in the arrangements Communicate with your carer and the Elder team via Elder chat View your schedule and plan handover days when your carer takes a break Read updates from your carer with the Care Logs feature Keep the care profile up to date to reflect any changes to your care needs Easily update payment information and track your invoices.

How do I find the most suitable respite care near me?

To find suitable respite care near you through Elder, simply fill in our request form to share your care requirements, including the type of care needed, specialist skills (if any), and a description of your loved one's daily life. Based on your information, we will match you with potential carers, and you can then review their profiles, chat online or arrange calls to select the best match.

Respite care tailored to your loved one's needs

Have peace of mind your loved one is in good hands with respite care from Elder. With our award-winning customer support and a bank of 6,000 vetted carers, we help you find the right carer for your needs easily.

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What are the benefits of in-home respite care?

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.

Helping you find the right carer

We want you to find a self-employed carer you can trust and get on with. All cares pass a rigorous screening which includes a background check, character and skills assessment, and verifiable professional references. Only 2% of applicants to join Elder are successful. As a result, 9 out of 10 customers are very satisfied with their first carer.

“Patience is a breath of fresh air! She is lively, cheerful and fun and brings joy to my in-laws' home. Nothing is too much trouble. She makes my mother-in-law feel like a princess.”

Louise Elder Customer

“David has been 400% better than I could ever have imagined. I have seen many carers over the years but David is in a break away Premier league. He is attentive, thoughtful, constantly looking to improve the situation.”

David Elder Customer

“[Our carer] never underestimated mum's sharp intellect and desire to hold on to her independence. She and mum chatted about songs mum had always enjoyed, and she helped to create a special playlist for her."

Jane Elder Customer

“My mother has dementia and Maria quickly gained her trust...Maria cooks her delicious meals from scratch and keeps my mother busy with new card games. I have never seen my mother so happy.”

Alice Elder Customer

“She was a very friendly capable caring lady. My husband thought the world of her and has asked me if he can have her care for him the next time I am away which means a lot to me.”

Elizabeth Elder Customer

"Marko has taken the trouble to understand Ken's complicated needs, has become a good friend for Ken and is restoring some fun to Ken's life. For that we cannot thank him enough."

Alan Elder Customer

“Josephine has gone above and beyond. Every Wednesday she cooks a big meal and sets the table for Alison, her son Donald and his wife Annette, which is the highlight of the week and something they all really look forward to.”

Kyla Elder Customer

“Katie has made life easier and better for my gran from the moment she arrived. She has fitted in so well with our wee family and makes my gran feel special.”

Angela Elder Customer

Vicki

placeLeeds

badge24 years

starstarstarstarstar

As always with a new carer to the placement there is apprehension, but there was no need as Vicki fitted in very well. My mother in law liked her very much and they appeared to get on very well. Vicki picked up the routine very quickly and although it’s not an arduous placement my mother in law can be challenging at times when she becomes obsessed with something. Vicki’s attitude and experience managed this well.

Virginia

placeSouth Staffordshire

badge20 years

starstarstarstarstar

Virginia came as a relief carer was cheerful from the onset went out of her way to build a really good relationship with Mum in a very short time. She was a joy to have and would be welcomed back at any time.

Tura

placeLeicester

badge16 years

starstarstarstarstar

Tura is very easy to get on with and fits into a new home and situation straight away. My Mum likes her and she is a great support to everyone.

Jesca

placeTower Hamlets

badge29 years

starstarstarstar

Jessica was very nice with my dad thankyou .

Chelsea

placeWolverhampton

badge8 years

starstarstarstarstar

Chelsea was absolutely amazing with my Dad and quickly tuned in to what Dads needs were. She was excellent at communicating with me about how Dad was and any concerns. She was an absolute pleasure to be around and a great companion for my Dad. We were very sad to see her go and would love for her to come back!!! Thank you Chelsea!

Scholastica

placeDoncaster

badge23 years

starstarstarstar

Scholastica was very caring towards my Mother and we felt comfortable that, with Scholastica, my Mother was safe and well looked-after

Michelle

placeStockton-on-Tees

badge40 years

starstarstarstarstar

Michelle was really lovely and Dad was very happy while she was there!

Rosemary

placeCity of Edinburgh

badge36 years

starstarstarstarstar

Rosemary looked after my mum so i could go on a weeks holiday,she was great and I was able to go on my holiday and relax knowing mum was in a safe pair of hands,if i was to do the same thing again I would be more than happy if Rosemary could return.

Zoe

placeRugby

badge36 years

starstarstarstarstar

Dad thoroughly enjoyed his time with Zoe. They shared a passion for sport and Dad enjoyed their many and varied conversations. Zoe brought the World Cup to life for Dad, as he is blind it can be quite frustrating for him but she talked through the matches with him so he knew what was going on and could enjoy them to the full. He is so looking forward to Zoe coming back to help him again. Thank you for everything.

Nora

placeLewisham

badge5 years

starstarstarstarstar

Nora was very caring and understanding of Jean's needs. She provided a high standard of care and companionship.

Blanka

placeHerefordshire, County of

badge16 years

starstarstarstarstar

Blanka was very attentive to both Mum & Dad, she went above & beyond to make sure they were always as comfortable as possible, she has a fabulous personality & always kept us well informed with any changes &/or problems.

Kim

placeMaidstone

badge20 years

starstarstarstarstar

A safe and easy going carer. Uses initiative and is unobtrusive. An excellent match.

Sai Divya

placeWalsall

badge1 years

starstarstarstarstar

When we first contacted Elder for a live-in carer for my Grandmother we were unsure what to expect, but we needn’t have worried – Divya was a fantastic choice who really helped to make my Grandmother’s last weeks comfortable, providing her with company and ensuring that her needs were met with as much dignity as possible. Though my Grandmother’s needs increased rapidly during the time the Divya was caring for her due to her physical and mental health declining, Divya took this in her stride and stepped up to do what was needed. She clearly showed that she was dedicated to her patient’s welfare and had her interests at heart throughout, even when it was difficult at times. Several visitors told me how great she was with her patient and what a good job she was doing looking after her. Divya was always able to provide regular detailed updates on how my Grandmother was doing, which was very useful as we live some way away. She always raised any potential issues with the family and had a very good understanding of what the best options for care would be. We always felt we could trust and rely on her. Divya provided fantastic care in my Grandmother’s final weeks and we are extremely grateful for all that she was able to do. I can’t recommend her highly enough to anyone else who is looking for a live-in carer.

Rachael

placeTameside

badge6 years

starstarstarstarstar

Rachael was brilliant .Although she was only with us for a week she quickly settled in and familiarised herself with the routines. She was an energetic companion to my aunt and treated her with respect and compassion, appreciating her intellect and qualities.She communicated with relatives well and was proactive in avoiding and managing any problems. We hope she will be able to return.

Gladys

placeCroydon

badge5 years

starstarstarstarstar

Gladys is a lovely, warm hearted carer who did a fantastic job of helping my father transition back into daily life after a stroke. Highly recommended

Ivanela

placeCambridge

badge10 years

starstarstarstarstar

Ivanela is a ray of sunshine, a bundle of energy and encouragement and quickly developed a great relationship with my aunt. A treasure.

Ewa

placeWandsworth

badge10 years

starstarstarstarstar

Ewa has a lovely nature . She was very kind to my mother

Esther

placeReading

badge6 years

starstarstarstar

esther understands my dad ....they have such a lovely relationship....she really dies care for him ...they are always laughing ....i trust esther completely with every aspect of my dads care ....he adores her

Bibi

placeDoncaster

badge20 years

starstarstarstarstar

Bibi is wonderful very professional kind and patient she gave me a lot of reassurance �

Zwancit (Zwan)

placeHillingdon

badge22 years

starstarstarstarstar

Zwan displayed great enthusiasm and support for the well-being of our relative. Communication between herself and the family was very good and Zwan paid close attention to the needs of her client and the home environment

Vicki

placeLeeds

badge24 years

starstarstarstarstar

Virginia

placeSouth Staffordshire

badge20 years

starstarstarstarstar

Tura

placeLeicester

badge16 years

starstarstarstarstar

Tura is very easy to get on with and fits into a new home and situation straight away. My Mum likes her and she is a great support to everyone.

Jesca

placeTower Hamlets

badge29 years

starstarstarstar

Jessica was very nice with my dad thankyou .

Chelsea

placeWolverhampton

badge8 years

starstarstarstarstar

Scholastica

placeDoncaster

badge23 years

starstarstarstar

Scholastica was very caring towards my Mother and we felt comfortable that, with Scholastica, my Mother was safe and well looked-after

Michelle

placeStockton-on-Tees

badge40 years

starstarstarstarstar

Michelle was really lovely and Dad was very happy while she was there!

Rosemary

placeCity of Edinburgh

badge36 years

starstarstarstarstar

Zoe

placeRugby

badge36 years

starstarstarstarstar

Nora

placeLewisham

badge5 years

starstarstarstarstar

Nora was very caring and understanding of Jean's needs. She provided a high standard of care and companionship.

Blanka

placeHerefordshire, County of

badge16 years

starstarstarstarstar

Kim

placeMaidstone

badge20 years

starstarstarstarstar

A safe and easy going carer. Uses initiative and is unobtrusive. An excellent match.

Sai Divya

placeWalsall

badge1 years

starstarstarstarstar

Rachael

placeTameside

badge6 years

starstarstarstarstar

Gladys

placeCroydon

badge5 years

starstarstarstarstar

Gladys is a lovely, warm hearted carer who did a fantastic job of helping my father transition back into daily life after a stroke. Highly recommended

Ivanela

placeCambridge

badge10 years

starstarstarstarstar

Ivanela is a ray of sunshine, a bundle of energy and encouragement and quickly developed a great relationship with my aunt. A treasure.

Ewa

placeWandsworth

badge10 years

starstarstarstarstar

Ewa has a lovely nature . She was very kind to my mother

Esther

placeReading

badge6 years

starstarstarstar

Bibi

placeDoncaster

badge20 years

starstarstarstarstar

Bibi is wonderful very professional kind and patient she gave me a lot of reassurance �

Zwancit (Zwan)

placeHillingdon

badge22 years

starstarstarstarstar

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What does a live-in respite carer do?

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Personal care

e.g. help with washing, toileting, and prompting medication

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Dressing and grooming

e.g. shaving and hairstyling

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Meal preparation

e.g. cooking meals to dietary requirements and tastes

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Light housekeeping

e.g. vacuuming, keeping surfaces clean and doing laundry

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Running errands

e.g. going to the shops or picking up prescriptions

check

Companionship

e.g. providing company and encouraging hobbies and interests

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Pet care

e.g. feeding and exercising pets

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Mobility support

e.g. encouraging gentle and suitable exercise

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Light gardening

e.g. watering flowers and keeping pathways clear

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Admin support

e.g. keeping on top of post, paperwork, and appointments

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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

How much is live-in respite care?

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.

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6,000+ Carers

Select from over 6,000 qualified carers

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Fast matching

Care can begin in as little as 24 hours

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Across Great Britain

We have organised care in every GB postcode

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Cost efficient

Costs on average 35% less than traditional services

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Urgent support: Stories of fast and reliable home care

When care is needed quickly, finding trusted support can bring instant relief. These stories show how Elder’s urgent home care helps families navigate sudden change with confidence and peace of mind.

Urgent support found: Anne's story of 24-hour care relief

Anne shares how Elder delivered a trusted carer within 24 hours for her friend Sheila. See how reliable support resolved a crisis and eliminated the worry of having a private carer leave.

Read Anne's story

How live-in care helped David keep his loved one at home

When David’s loved one faced a sudden hospital discharge, he quickly arranged live-in care at home, helping her avoid a care home and stay in the comfort of familiar surroundings.

Read David's story

Mike with his wife Sue and his carer Godswill

How Mike organised urgent live-in care remotely

Mike urgently needed live-in care for his dad Bob after being discharged from hospital, but the family was hundreds of miles apart. See how he organised everything remotely with Elder.

Read Mike's story

How do I arrange respite care with Elder?

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Share your care request

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.

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Select your carer

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.

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Manage care

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.

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Explore other care options

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:

Old woman smiling with her carer on a bench

Live-in care

Long-term 24-hour support

A carer moves in with your loved one to support them 24/7
Suitable for people living with conditions like dementia and reduced mobility
For long-term care needs

Find a carer Learn more

Elderly woman with her daughter and carer

Visiting care

Flexible home visits

Book as many hours as you need for help in the comfort of your home
Support with everyday tasks like grooming, walks, cooking, etc.
From as little as 1 hour per week

Find a carer Learn more

FAQs about respite care

Still have questions?phone0333 920 3648