Taking breaks from your caring role is vital to maintaining your own health and sense of wellbeing. It can be difficult to arrange, but it is important that you persist in finding the necessary support you need. Below are some local respite options and other resources you may find useful.
Download Our Respite Guide
Plan Ahead
It is a good idea to plan your respite options before you really need them. Trying to plan respite when you are already overwhelmed can very quickly become too much.
Consider what type of respite is acceptable, does the person require 24 hour care, or could they manage with an increase in care package.
Some people choose to have a 24 hour carer in their own home, and you would need to look into where you could access this as not all care agencies provide this type of care. Some people choose to hire a carer just for a short period of time.
If respite is needed in a care home for 24 hour care by a carer or nursing establishment, you could contact a home of your choice to organise this if you are self funding. If you are supported with funding by Social Services they may choose the establishment for you. In an emergency Social Services will place your loved one in a Care establishment that has a vacancy.
It is also a good idea to plan what would happen if you were suddenly unable to care for your loved one, and more information regarding this can be found on our Emergency Planning page.
It is your choice whether or not you decide to take on a caring role and it’s vital to think about how this will affect your life and wellbeing. If you feel able to offer some help, consider what type and level of support you’re able to provide – for example perhaps you would like to provide some help with transportation but would need assistance to deal with personal care.
Local Respite Options
The Luton & Luton Directory: Adult Care and Support Services provides full details of organisations providing paid care. You can get a paper copy from Luton Borough Council (01234 267 422) or Central Luton Council (0300 300 8303) or the Carers in Luton office.
Care Choices has written a Home Care Checklist with a list of questions you can ask when considering which company to use.
Age UK Luton runs a fee-based Carers Respite Service. You can pay for it yourself or apply for a Needs/Carers Assessment.
For those who have a life-limiting condition, a sitting service is organised by Hospice at Home & Respite at Home Volunteers.
For carers of those under 25 years:
Luton Borough Luton Local Offer
National Respite Options
We know respite and navigating the system is complex for carers. We are talking to the local councils to make this better for carers. In the meantime, there are many national services which offer holidays, breaks, trips abroad, outdoor activities, financial help and information that can help you in your journey. Find out more at:
National breaks for carers and those they care for
Paying for Care
This can either be done privately or through the local councils. If you need support with costs then you need to contact the local councils for a Getting a Carers and Needs Assessment.
Legal & General offer carers a free consultation to help you find and pay for care – visit the Legal & General website or contact 0800 086 9071 for further information.
Carers Assessment
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