Supporting family carers with planned breaks whilst ensuring loved ones receive quality, professional care
Respite Care Services
When You Need a Break, We’re Here to Help
Caring for a family member can be one of the most rewarding experiences, but it can also be physically and emotionally demanding. If you’re feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or simply need some time to recharge, you’re not alone. Millions of family carers across the UK face these same challenges every day.
At Living Developments, our respite care services provide you with the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved one is receiving excellent professional care whilst you take the break you need and deserve. Whether it’s for a few days, a week, or longer, our respite care allows you to rest, spend time with other family members, or simply focus on your own wellbeing.
Need respite care support? Contact us today to discuss your needs and arrange a visit to one of our care homes.
Why Choose Our Respite Care Services?
Professional, Compassionate Care
Your loved one receives the same high-quality care as our permanent residents, delivered by experienced staff trained in person-centred care approaches.
Seamless Transition
We work closely with you to understand your loved one’s routines, preferences, and needs, ensuring their stay feels as comfortable and familiar as possible.
Flexible Arrangements
From weekend breaks to extended stays, we offer respite care that fits around your schedule and caring responsibilities.
Peace of Mind for Families
24-hour professional supervision means you can truly relax knowing your loved one is safe, supported, and well-cared for.
Professional Care Standards
Our residential care meets the highest professional standards:
- CQC registered and regularly inspected
- Fully qualified care staff with ongoing training
- Robust safeguarding procedures protecting all residents
- Comprehensive health and safety protocols
- Regular quality audits and continuous improvement
- Family feedback actively sought and implemented
Our Respite Care Services
Short-Term Residential Respite Care
Professional care in a homely environment when you need a break
Our short-term respite care provides all the benefits of residential care for temporary stays:
- Comfortable accommodation in well-appointed rooms with en-suite facilities
- Nutritious meals prepared by our catering team with dietary requirements catered for
- Social activities and entertainment to keep residents engaged and stimulated
- Personal care support including assistance with washing, dressing, and medication
- 24-hour professional supervision ensuring safety and wellbeing at all times
- Healthcare coordination with GPs and other medical professionals as needed
Perfect for planned breaks, holidays, or when you need time to recover from illness or attend to other family matters.
Dementia Respite Care
Specialist support for people living with dementia and their families
Caring for someone with dementia presents unique challenges. Our specialist dementia respite care includes:
- Secure, memory-friendly environments designed specifically for people with dementia
- Specialist-trained staff who understand dementia care and communication techniques
- Structured daily routines that provide stability and reduce anxiety
- Meaningful activities tailored to individual abilities and interests
- Behavioural support for managing challenging symptoms with patience and expertise
- Family liaison keeping you informed about your loved one’s wellbeing during their stay
Considering dementia respite care? Contact us today to speak with our dementia care specialists about your specific needs.
Benefits of Respite Care
For Family Carers
Rest and Recovery: Taking regular breaks helps prevent carer burnout and maintains your physical and mental health, ensuring you can continue providing care long-term.
Time for Yourself: Respite care gives you precious time to focus on your own needs, whether that’s medical appointments, social activities, or simply relaxing at home.
Relationship Maintenance: Spend quality time with other family members, maintain friendships, or strengthen your relationship with your partner without the constant demands of caring.
Practical Benefits: Use respite care to attend important appointments, handle financial matters, or take care of household tasks that are difficult to manage whilst caring.
For Your Loved One
Professional Care: Access to qualified care staff, proper equipment, and structured routines that may be difficult to provide at home.
Social Interaction: Opportunities to meet new people and participate in group activities, reducing isolation and loneliness.
Change of Environment: A temporary change of scenery can be stimulating and enjoyable, providing new experiences and perspectives.
Assessment Opportunity: Respite stays can help assess changing care needs and explore options for future care arrangements if needed.
Who Benefits from Respite Care?
When Respite Care Is Most Helpful
Respite care can be invaluable in numerous situations:
Regular Planned Breaks:
- Weekly or monthly respite to maintain your wellbeing
- Holiday periods when you want to travel or visit family
- Special occasions when you need to focus on other family members
- Regular respite to prevent carer fatigue and stress
Emergency Situations:
- When you become ill and cannot provide care temporarily
- Family emergencies requiring your immediate attention elsewhere
- Hospital admissions or medical procedures requiring recovery time
- Unexpected life events that demand your full attention
Assessment and Planning:
- Trial periods to see how your loved one adapts to professional care
- Assessment of changing care needs in a professional environment
- Exploring long-term care options without pressure or commitment
- Gradual introduction to care home environment if permanent placement is being considered
Common Situations Where Families Use Respite Care
First-time carers who need to understand their own limits and develop sustainable caring patterns.
Long-term carers experiencing burnout or stress-related health problems.
Families managing complex care needs that require specialist equipment or expertise.
Carers juggling multiple responsibilities including work, other family members, or their own health conditions.
How Our Respite Care Works
Planning Your Respite Care
Initial Consultation: We begin with a detailed discussion about your loved one’s needs, preferences, and routines, as well as your respite requirements and timing.
Care Assessment: Our qualified team conducts a comprehensive assessment to understand the level of care needed and any specific requirements.
Personalised Care Plan: We develop a temporary care plan that maintains familiar routines whilst ensuring all care needs are met professionally.
Pre-Admission Visit: We encourage visits to our care home before the respite stay to help your loved one become familiar with the environment and meet key staff members.
During the Respite Stay
Settling In Support: Our experienced staff help your loved one settle into their temporary home, maintaining familiar routines wherever possible.
Regular Communication: We keep you informed about how your loved one is settling in and any highlights from their stay.
Flexible Contact: You’re welcome to call or visit during the respite period, though many families find it helpful to have some complete time away.
Professional Documentation: We maintain detailed records of care provided, activities enjoyed, and any observations about wellbeing or changing needs.
Preparing to Return Home
Handover Discussion: Before your loved one returns home, we discuss how the stay went, any observations about their care needs, and recommendations for future care.
Continuity Planning: We help ensure a smooth transition back to home care, including any adjustments that might be beneficial.
Future Bookings: If the respite care was successful, we can discuss regular arrangements or future bookings to support your ongoing caring role.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can respite care last?
Respite care can be arranged for anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on your needs and our availability. We can arrange regular short breaks or longer periods as required.
Will my loved one be comfortable in an unfamiliar environment?
We work hard to make respite stays as comfortable as possible by learning about their routines, preferences, and needs beforehand. Many families are surprised by how well their loved ones adapt to the temporary change.
Can I visit during the respite period?
Absolutely. While the purpose is to give you a break, you’re always welcome to visit or call. We find most families benefit from having at least some complete time away, but contact is always encouraged if it helps with peace of mind.
How much does respite care cost?
Respite care costs vary depending on the length of stay and level of care required. We provide transparent pricing and can discuss funding options including local authority support and direct payments where eligible.
What should I bring for the respite stay?
We’ll provide a comprehensive list, but essentials include comfortable clothing, personal toiletries, any regular medications, and familiar items like photographs or favourite books that help create comfort.
Can respite care help us decide about permanent care?
Many families find respite stays helpful for assessing how their loved one responds to professional care environments. It can provide valuable insights without the pressure of making permanent decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Preparing for Respite Care
What to Bring
Personal Items: Comfortable clothing for several days, personal toiletries and preferred brands, any special items that provide comfort like favourite blankets or cushions.
Medical Information: Current medication list with dosages and timing, contact details for GP and any specialists, information about medical conditions and care requirements.
Personal Preferences: Details about food likes and dislikes, daily routines and preferred timing, activities they enjoy and things they prefer to avoid.
Comfort Items: Photographs of family and friends, favourite books or magazines, small personal treasures that provide reassurance.
Helping Your Loved One Prepare
Positive Framing: Present the respite stay as a positive experience – perhaps a short holiday or opportunity to meet new people rather than focusing on your need for a break.
Familiarisation: If possible, visit the care home together beforehand so they can meet staff and see their temporary room.
Routine Discussion: Talk through what their daily routine will be like, emphasising familiar elements like meal times and activities.
Reassurance: Confirm that the stay is temporary and that you’ll be returning to collect them on a specific date.
Take the First Step Towards Better Support
Speak with Our Respite Care Team
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by caring responsibilities or simply need a planned break, our experienced respite care team can help you arrange the support you need.
Request a callback and we’ll contact you at a convenient time to discuss options.
Arrange a visit to see our facilities and meet our care teams in person.
Your Journey to Respite Care Support
- Initial consultation to understand your caring situation and respite needs
- Care assessment for your loved one by our qualified professionals
- Facility visit to see our care homes and meet our teams
- Care planning to ensure continuity and comfort during the respite period
- Flexible booking arrangements that work around your schedule
- Ongoing support for regular respite care as needed
Ready to Get the Support You Deserve?
Caring for someone you love is admirable, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our respite care services are designed to support both you and your loved one, ensuring everyone’s needs are met with professional care and genuine compassion.
Contact us today to discover how our respite care services can provide you with the break you need whilst ensuring your loved one receives excellent care in a safe, comfortable environment.