Caring for a loved one can be deeply rewarding, but it also presents significant challenges. For those providing continuous care with little or no support, the responsibilities can become overwhelming, often leading to physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion. This is where respite care plays a crucial role. It not only offers carers a much-needed break, but it is also a great opportunity for their loved one to receive person-centred care, activities tailored to their interests and delicious food. Respite care has many benefits for family carers and this article aims to answer commonly asked questions highlight key benefits and explain how to arrange a respite break.

What is respite care

You may be wondering, what does respite mean? In simple terms, respite is a period of relief or rest, which is precisely what it offers to carers.

Respite care or as it’s often called by mistake – restbite care, is a short-term solution that temporarily relieves carers of their duties. It can be provided in various settings, including at home, at a day centre or in a care home. There are many benefits to family carers when booking a respite break in a care home. It allows carers to relax, re-energise or even take a well-deserved holiday, all while having peace of mind that their loved one is receiving excellent care.

What’s included in a respite care stay at a care home?

A short stay in a care home will include all the benefits of home with additional services and companionship. A care home offering respite care will be able to offer bathing or showering as well as other personal care, support with medications and diet and nutrition. Even those with specialist dietary requirements such as swallowing difficulties can be cared for in this way.

The care team in a care home will also be trained in moving and handling and will offer a wide range of stimulating activities to engage the individual staying in the home. Meeting other residents is also a plus point as friendships can be formed during this type of stay.

How long can respite care last?

The duration of respite care is highly flexible, depending on the needs of both the carer and their loved one. It can range from a few hours to several weeks. For example, a day centre may be used to provide respite care whilst the carer is at work or a short stay in a care home so they can take a couple weeks off to spend with family and friends.

Where the respite or short stay is a matter of a day or less, this is sometimes referred to as a ‘sitting service’. Sitting services can be offered in home or in a care home where the individual may also benefit from a shower or bath at the same time. This type of respite care can be helpful for family carers when they are balancing a career whilst caring for a loved one.

What are the benefits of respite care for family carers?

Respite care offers significant benefits to carers, with one of the most important being the prevention of exhaustion and burnout. Studies have shown that respite care can lead to improvements in both the mental and physical wellbeing of carers, particularly for those looking after someone living with dementia. Carers often report reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress-related health issues after a respite break.

Not only does respite care improve carers wellbeing but many find that their overall quality of care improves following a period of respite. Utilising respite care can also help prevent feelings of isolation. Carers often juggle caring for a loved one with work and family commitments, leaving little time for themselves. A short break can provide an opportunity to reconnect with friends and family, engage in fulfilling hobbies, and meet social needs. This time for self-care is crucial in preventing resentment and avoiding burnout.

What are the benefits of respite care for the elderly?

Respite care is not only beneficial to carers, but also provides significant advantages for the elderly, who equally experience the positive effects of these breaks. It’s common for a loved one with care needs to feel like a burden, which may lead to feelings of frustration and guilt. This is where respite care can help reduce or remove those thoughts.

Beyond providing emotional relief, respite care can greatly enhance the wellbeing of elderly individuals. According to the study The Effects of Respite Care in Care Homes on Older Adults: A Review of the Literature, participating in social activities and interactions during a respite stay in a care home has been shown to boost happiness and alleviate feelings of loneliness.

Additionally, regular meals together with activities for mind, body and soul, can help maintain physical health, mobility, enhanced cognitive function and delay cognitive decline. The change of environment and increased social interactions can also be mentally and emotionally uplifting, providing a sense of community and belonging.

For those living with dementia, respite care in a care home can help reduce psychological and behavioural symptoms, such as agitation, anxiety, and depression. Moreover, respite care in a care home offers a fantastic opportunity to experience what life would be like if a permanent move is considered. Many who try a respite stay often decide to move in full-time, finding the social interactions, trained teams, nutritious meals, and safe environment provide a fulfilling life.

What are the different types of respite care?

Whether you need a break for a few hours or a few weeks, there are various respite care options available to suit your and your loved one’s needs:

• Care home: A short stay in a care home offers comprehensive care, including person-centred care, nutritious meals, activities promoting physical and mental wellbeing, and plenty of social interaction. This option is ideal if you need a break for a week or more and offers a reassuringly robust respite care option for families as it includes companionship and lots of 24-hour support for nursing, dementia and residential care requirements.
• In-home: Care professionals visit your loved one at home to take over caregiving duties, which can range from a few hours to several days.
• Day centre: Centres provide support during specific hours, making them a suitable option if you need respite while you’re at work or attending to other commitments.
• Emergency respite: If you suddenly find yourself unable to care for your loved one, urgent respite care services ensure their needs are met promptly.

How to stay in touch with a loved one during their respite break?

Many care homes will help you stay in touch during the stay. In addition to being able to visit in person, you can also stay in touch by phone, with virtual calls or even through eCards sent to and from your loved one. An eCard option is particularly lovely if you plan to go away and want to send a ‘postcard’ during your

How do I arrange respite care?

If you feel you and your loved one will benefit from respite care, follow our step-by-step guide for booking respite care.

• Assess your needs: Determine the length of time you need and what type of respite care will best suit your loved one. Try and plan ahead if you can. Many care homes will allow short stays to be booked in advance.
• Consider funding: It’s important to understand who pays for respite care. If you are paying for the stay yourself, then you can arrange your own respite care at any time. If you need support from public funded sources, you will need to speak to your social work team to understand whether this option is available for you.
• Research providers: Look for reputable respite care providers in your area by checking reviews, reading care regulator reports, and seeking recommendations from family, friends, and community members. Visit the facilities where possible to get a better understanding of the care they provide.
• Get in touch: Contact suitable care providers to discuss your loved one’s needs, availability, and costs. Prepare questions in advance to ensure you make the right decision—questions might include the activities provided, how dietary requirements are accommodated, and the specific types of care available, such as dementia respite care.
• Care assessment: Once you’ve selected a provider, they will create a care plan with your input, covering medical requirements, dietary needs, and personal preferences. The care plan ensures your loved one receives excellent care and helps them feel happy and comfortable during their respite break.
• Schedule regular breaks: Consider booking regular respite care to maintain both your and your loved one’s wellbeing.

Why choose Four Seasons Health Care Group for respite care?

In our brighterkind and Four Seasons care homes, our teams pride themselves on providing excellent respite care. Every short-stay resident is treated the same as our permanent residents. This includes receiving excellent personalised care from our dedicated teams. Access to our activities programme, which we call Magic Moments and delicious and nutritious meals prepared by our highly trained Chefs.

We Prioritise Wellbeing

Our Magic Moments programme is designed to stimulate the mind, body and soul to support all-round wellbeing whilst tailoring activities to residents’ interests. Popular group activities in our homes include pet therapy, day trips, music and movement, and virtual classes via by our exclusive Magic Moments Portal.

We are Passionate About nutrition

Our Chefs are passionate about providing residents with healthy and delicious meals to support their overall wellbeing. Our carefully crafted menus provide residents with a wide selection of meals and we can also accommodate dietary requirements including IDDSI or modified food choices for those with swallowing difficulties.

We Encourage Communication

Residents and families also have access to our eCard system, enabling residents and families to upload photos and send electronic cards to each other.

Whether you’re planning a holiday, want to spend quality time with family and friends or keen to try respite care due to the benefits for family carers and loved ones, a short stay in one of our homes could be the perfect option.

Your health and wellbeing are just as important as the care you provide, so why not take a well-deserved break?

Sources

Bell, C.M., & Loughlin, G.M. (2006). The Effects of Respite Care in Care Homes on Older Adults: A Review of the Literature. Aging & Society, 26(2), pp. 223-235. doi: 10.1017/S0144686X05004499.

Brodaty, H., Thomson, C., Thompson, C., & Fine, M. (2005). Why caregivers of people with dementia and memory loss don’t use respite. The Gerontologist, 45(5), pp. 673-679. doi: 10.1093/geront/45.5.673.

Cohen-Mansfield, J., & Wirtz, P.W. (2007). Respite Care for Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Does it Improve Care Recipients’ Outcomes? Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 33(6), pp. 47-54. doi: 10.3928/00989134-20070601-08.

Gaugler, J.E., Roth, D.L., Haley, W.E., & Mittelman, M.S. (2008). Modeling the effects of early psychosocial interventions on institutionalization in dementia caregiving. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 63(1), pp. P144-P155. doi: 10.1093/geronb/63.3.P144.

Gottlieb, B.H., & Johnson, J. (2000). Respite Programs for Caregivers of Persons with Dementia: A Review with Practice Implications. Aging & Mental Health, 4(2), pp. 119-129. doi: 10.1080/13607860050008637.

Hirst, M. (2005). Carer distress: A prospective, population-based study. Social Science & Medicine, 61(3), pp. 697-708. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2005.01.001.

Liu, Y., Insel, K.C., Reed, P.G., & Crist, J.D. (2012). Family Caregivers of Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease: Perceived Benefits of Respite Care Use and its Effect on Caregiving Stress. Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life & Palliative Care, 8(1), pp. 71-84. doi: 10.1080/15524256.2012.650675.

Maas, M.L., Buckwalter, K.C., Swanson, E.A., & Mobily, P.R. (1994). Training Caregivers of Dementia Patients: The CARE Approach. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 20(5), pp. 4-10. doi: 10.3928/0098-9134-19940501-04.

Park, M., Sung, M., Kim, S.K., & Kim, S. (2015). The Impact of Respite Care on Caregivers’ Mental and Physical Health: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 34(6), pp. 664-686. doi: 10.1177/0733464814557875.

Zarit, S.H., Kim, K., Femia, E.E., Almeida, D.M., & Klein, L.C. (2014). The Effects of Adult Day Care Services on Family Caregivers’ Daily Stress, Affect, and Health: Outcomes from the Daily Stress and Health (DaSH) Study. The Gerontologist, 54(4), pp. 570-5

When a loved one living with dementia needs additional care and support, we understand finding the right care can be overwhelming. Ensuring they receive the best possible care is essential, but with so many options available, it can be difficult to know where to start.

This guide aims to provide you with valuable information to help you determine what is the best care for dementia patients, whom we refer to as those living with dementia.

When should someone with dementia go into a care home?

If you are considering whether a loved one may benefit from moving into a care home, you may want to consider the following signs:

• Difficulties with daily activities: Unable to manage daily activities, such as washing, dressing, cooking and cleaning.
• Safety concerns: Frequent falls or habits of wandering.
• Declining health: A need for more intensive care.
• Carer burnout: If a family member is struggling to provide the required level of care.

Studies have found those living with dementia have a better overall wellbeing when living in a care home. Cognitive stimulating activities, social interactions and person-centred care contribute to their improved quality of life.

What to consider when evaluating dementia care options

When moving a loved one into a care home, you want to feel confident that they are receiving the best care possible and that all their needs are being met. To help simplify what to consider when choosing a care home for dementia care, here are key factors to contemplate.

Level of Care Required

The first step is to understand the specific needs of your loved one. As there are many types of dementia, care requirements can vary widely. Although there are common symptoms associated to each of the various types of dementia, everyone’s needs are unique. The stage of dementia can also impact the level of care required.

• Early stage: Individuals may need help with daily activities but can still manage many tasks independently.
• Middle stage: Assistance required for day-to-day tasks, such as washing, dressing and eating.
• Late stage: Individuals will be more dependent and reliant on care and support for medical and personal tasks.

When embarking on your journey to find the right care home, you will come across two types of dementia care. They are residential dementia care and nursing dementia care. If your loved one needs support with day-to-day tasks, then they are likely to need residential dementia care. However, if they also need 24/7 nursing care, then nursing dementia care is required.

When discussing care needs with a Home Manager, it is critical they conduct an in-depth assessment so that they not only get a firm understanding of the care requirements, but also your loved one’s interests, likes and dislikes.

By gaining this understanding, the Home Manager will be able to advise if they can accommodate the care needs, but also go through life in the home and if it is a suitable match for both you and your loved one.

Specialised dementia care

When considering a care home, ensure they provide specialised dementia care, which means the team are qualified and experienced in how to care for someone living with dementia.

What to expect:

• Expertise in dementia care: Teams trained in dementia care and understand the unique needs and challenges of individuals living with dementia. Training will provide team members with a wide range of skills and knowledge, ensuring they provide care that improves the individual’s quality of life.
• Personalised care plans: Individualised care plans that identifies the specific needs, preferences, interests and history of each resident.
• Safety and security: Enhanced safety measures within care homes providing dementia care to provide a safe and secure environment that helps to reduce confusion and prevent wandering.
• Dignity and respect: A team that is committed to creating a compassionate and supportive atmosphere. Each resident is treated with respect and their dignity is preserved.

Lifestyle and facilities

Along with receiving specialised care, it’s crucial the home has a vibrant atmosphere and suitable facilities as they play a significant role in the wellbeing of residents living with dementia.

What to expect:

• Structure and routine: The care home will have a consistent routine. This helps reduce anxiety and confusion for those living with dementia.
• Decor: A care home’s environment can have a huge impact on the wellbeing of those living with dementia. Careful consideration is made when choosing a colour scheme and design features as this can help reduce falls, use of some medications and improve morale. Homes will avoid the use of too many colours, busy wallpaper designs and gloss paints as this can be distracting and distressing for those with dementia. Instead, the décor will provide contrast between walls, flooring and handrails. Good lighting is also used to help residents navigate and support them to remain independent.
• Activities: Everchanging activities programme inspired by the interests and capabilities of residents. Activities will be a mixture of group and one-to-one sessions and are designed to maintain good mental, physical and emotional health. Activities may include sensory stimulation, music sessions and pet therapy.
•  Nutrition & hydration: Residents living with dementia may experience problems with eating and drinking. To prevent malnutrition or dehydration, information such as what and when they eat, preferences and dietary requirements will be tracked in their care plan to ensure actions are taken to promote good wellbeing. Teams will also assess the level of support required during mealtime and will aim to promote the individual’s independence and maintain their mealtime skills. Mealtime environment preferences are also taken into consideration. For some, mealtimes are a social occasion that offers opportunities to stimulate positive eating patterns, whereas others may find the social setting overwhelming and may prefer a single table setting.
• Emotional and social support: Trained teams provide emotional support to residents and their loved ones, helping to maintain good emotional wellbeing. Group settings and interactions with team members help to prevent loneliness and promote good health.
• Personalised bedrooms: Residents living with dementia need familiarity in their home environment, so teams will encourage you to bring personal items from your loved one’s home to help them feel safe and secure.

Tips for visiting and assessing potential care homes

Visiting potential care homes is a crucial step in choosing the right home for your loved one. Here are some top tips to help you assess each home:

• Prepare for the visit: Consider your loved one’s needs, as you will be asked many questions about them, including care requirements, interests, medication, mobility and preferences.
• Observe interactions: Pay attention to how the team interact with residents and families. They should be kind, helpful, respectful and patient.
• Take note of facilities and cleanliness: The home should be spotless and well-maintained. You will also want to consider what facilities are essential for you and your loved one. This could be a secure garden, easy access to public transport or the ability to cater to a specialised diet.
• Activities in the home: Find out about the activities in the home and if they align with your loved one’s interests and abilities.
• Talk to residents and families: If possible, speak to residents and families during your visit to get their feedback on the home.
• Ask questions: Prepare questions that will help you to choose a care home. This could be learning about visiting hours, how care plans are personalised, the team’s qualifications and how the home communicates with family members.

We have a comprehensive guide on tips for visiting care homes and a handy downloadable checklist.

Why choose a brighterkind or Four Seasons care home?

If you feel a care home is the best option for your loved one, a Four Seasons or brighterkind home may be the perfect choice. Our research-based, award nominated approach to dementia care is delivered by teams who are committed to providing care that makes residents feel valued and support them to have a fulfilling life.

At Four Seasons Health Care Group, you can expect:

• Positive, life-enhancing approach: It is our mission to support those in our care to look forward to every day.
• Researched based approach: We worked with Bournemouth University to develop a dementia care approach that places the individual at the centre of everything we do.
• Teams receive ongoing training: Our homes have dementia leaders, who we call Dementia Champions. These individuals complete our extensive training programme, ensuring they possess the knowledge and skills to implement and promote our dementia care approach within their home.
• Award-nominated dementia care: We were finalists in The Dementia Care Awards 2024 and The National Care Awards 2023.
• Activities programme: Vibrant activities, which we call Magic Moments. Our programmes are inclusive and are inspired by residents’ interests and needs. From one-to-one sessions and pet therapy to sensory activities and day trips, our Magic Moments programme is designed to stimulate the mind, body and soul.
• Food & dining: Our carefully crafted menus are inspired by residents’ feedback and extensive research into nutrition. Our Chefs are trained to cater to specialist diets, including IDDSI and modified food choices.
• Optician services: We offer a complimentary check-up with the country’s leading eye care specialists, who come to the home. This is particularly important for those living with dementia as they will be in a familiar and safe environment.
• Partnerships with leading specialists: We are proud to partner with a wide variety of specialists, to ensure all areas of our care is the very best.

We welcome you to visit your local Four Seasons or brighterkind home to see first-hand how we make a difference to the lives of our residents and create vibrant communities.

Reference list

Brodaty, H., & Cumming, A. (2010). Dementia services in Australia. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 25(9), 887-905.

Spector, A., Orrell, M., Davies, S., & Woods, B. (2001). Can reality orientation be rehabilitated? Development and piloting of an evidence-based programme of cognition-based therapies for people with dementia. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 11(3-4), 377-397.

Day, K., Carreon, D., & Stump, C. (2000). The therapeutic design of environments for people with dementia: A review of the empirical research. The Gerontologist, 40(4), 397-416.

Fleming, R., & Purandare, N. (2010). Long-term care for people with dementia: Environmental design guidelines. International Psychogeriatrics, 22(7), 1084-1096.

Volkert, D., Chourdakis, M., Faxen-Irving, G., Frühwald, T., Landi, F., Suominen, M. H., … & Schneider, S. M. (2015). ESPEN guidelines on nutrition in dementia. Clinical Nutrition, 34(6), 1052-1073.

Nijs, K. A., de Graaf, C., Kok, F. J., & van Staveren, W. A. (2006). Effect of family-style meals on quality of life, physical performance, and body weight of nursing home residents: Cluster randomized controlled trial. BMJ, 332(7551), 1180-1184.