Carers' breaks and respite care

Everyone needs a change and time off occasionally, whether it's for an hour, a day or a week. This can be especially true for carers. 

Getting time for yourself can make a big difference to you.  The person you care for may prefer your care to anyone else's – but it’s important for both of you that you look after your own health and wellbeing, and recharge your batteries.

Relief care

Relief care is when someone comes into your home to look after the person you are caring for, so you can have a few hours off. This may be provided by the local authority, under a scheme called Relief to Carers or arranged privately. 

There are a number of voluntary and private organisations that provide trained staff to take over the caring tasks so you can have a break. A number of private home care agencies provide personal care. Your local carers' centre will be able to give you more information.

Respite care

Respite care is when the person you are caring for is looked after for a longer period of time such as a week or a weekend. Short-stay residential care can be arranged through your local authority or privately. 

For people with medical needs, your GP may be able to arrange respite care at a hospital. If you want to arrange respite care yourself, ask your local carers' centre .

Sobell House provides care for people in Oxfordshire with life-limiting illnesses, and support for their families. 

Helen and Douglas House is a hospice for children and young people with life-limiting and life-shortening illnesses and their families.  Helen House provides for children aged 0 to 18, and Douglas House Respice for young people aged 16 to 40.

The Break Time Scheme is run by Oxfordshire County Council for children who have physical or learning disabilities or particular medical conditions, and who need the occasional break for a few hours, or a weekend.

Day centres

Day centres  provide social contact, a hot meal and various activities for the person you care for, which you can access direct or through the local authority.

Parent carers

If you have child with a disability, impairment or specific need, you should get help from Oxfordshire County Council.

Your local young carers' project may organise trips, days out and holidays for young carers.    

Asking for help from family or friends

You could also ask family, friends or perhaps a neighbour, to provide a short amount of care. This could be a couple of hours a week to give you time to relax or see friends.  It’s not always easy to ask, but you may find that people are keen to help you. 

Local support

• There are a variety of breaks and services provided by voluntary and statutory organisations in Oxfordshire. For more information, contact your local carers' centre.
  
  
• Oxfordshire County Council: Customer Services Unit: weekday office hours: 0845 050 7666. Emergency duty team (out of office hours): 0800 833408.
  
  
• Crossroads: trained carer support workers who can provide practical help usually in the home 
  
  
• Oxfordshire Alzheimer's Society: Has an arrangement with Crossroads to subsidise care for people with Alzheimer's. 01865 556469
  
  
• Rethink Carers' Support Service Oxfordshire: operate a carers’ short break scheme called Time Out, for relatives, friends and partners of people with severe mental illness. 01865 455607
  
  
• Oxford Aunts Care: 24 hour live in care and support for adults of all ages on a temporary or permanent basis.