Can In Home Respite Care Benefit You, Your Family, and Your Loved One?

Chris Williams
August 11, 2025

Whether you're a professional carer, a family caregiver, or someone who receives care, you might be looking for in home respite care. These respite care services offer crucial temporary support. All carers need breaks from caring, and when someone's regular carer can't support them, it can be a delicate time. However, it can be a relief to know that care services can be provided in a familiar environment, offering temporary relief.

In this article, we'll explain what in home respite care is. We'll also show how respite support can help both paid and unpaid family carers, as well as the person who receives care. We'll touch upon types of respite care and the benefits of respite care.

What is in home respite care?

In home respite care is where a person is cared for in their own home by respite carers who aren't their usual regular carer. It gives primary caregivers a chance to take a short break while their loved one remains in a familiar environment. Respite care services might last a few hours or up to four weeks, depending on your needs

There are lots of different types of respite care. These include carer breaks, day care, or other solutions where the person moves to a care home. However, in home respite care may be the easiest option for your loved one. It's especially useful if they can't or don't want to leave their home, ensuring minimal disruption. Respite services at home offer comfort and familiarity.

Respite care might happen for a few hours during the day or overnight. Or it might last longer, providing more extensive temporary support.

You might be looking for respite care because:

  • You need a short time away from the person you care for occasionally. You may need to shop or attend an appointment.
  • You need a longer break from caring responsibilities. Perhaps you're planning a holiday, a hospital stay, or recovering from illness. This is a well-deserved break.
  • The person you care for cannot be left alone and you need to work or look after children or other family members.
  • You need to ensure you get regular sleep and breaks for your own well-being.
  • A carer has suddenly fallen ill, and you need emergency respite care due to this family emergency. This might be needed at a moment's notice.
  • You are the person who receives care. You want to ensure your primary caregiver is well-rested and has time for themselves.

Whatever your reasons for looking for in-home respite care, it's a choice that offers exceptional support and many benefits.

How can in home respite care help family caregivers?

Caring for a family member or friend can be particularly hard. It is often physically demanding and mentally tiring. As well as the physical work of providing personal care, you deal with the emotional side. Your relationship with your loved one may change.

Lots of family carers may feel guilty for wanting a temporary break. But it's important to look after yourself and your own well-being. Your personal needs still matter. You'll be a better caregiver if you're healthy and rested.

Rest and recuperation

Providing personal care can be physically tiring. You may do heavy lifting. Your sleep may be disturbed if your loved one, perhaps an elderly parent, needs help at night.

Your physical and mental health will suffer if you're constantly tired. Don't wait until you burn out to arrange respite care. You could use a night care assistant for in-home respite care to ensure sleep. Or arrange respite care while you take a few hours or days for yourself.

Tend to personal errands and needs

Caring for your loved one might take priority. But daily life continues. You will need to attend appointments, shop, or run errands. A respite carer can look after your loved one while you do these things.

Relieve pressure and stress

You may care for a family member while working or looking after children. If you live with the person you care for, it might feel like you never get a break. Or if you live apart, you might worry.

Feeling anxious or drained can be a sign of burnout. Family caregivers are at particular risk. Some signs include:

  • Feeling particularly anxious or depressed
  • Feeling irritable or impatient
  • Being extra tired or lethargic
  • No longer enjoying things that used to bring joy
  • Insomnia
  • Appetite changes
  • A weakened immune system

Burnout affects physical and mental health. You might get more infections or migraines. Taking regular breaks can reduce your risk. This will support your health and allow you to be a better carer.

How can in home respite care help professional carers?

Professional carers also benefit from in home respite care and it's vital for carers in live in care situations or for those who are the sole or main carer for a client. A carer can provide this respite support.

It's easy to feel you're the only one who can help. However, respite care services can follow your client's personal care plan while you take a break.

Carers' daily breaks

As a paid carer, you are legally entitled to breaks. Even for live in care, you cannot be on duty for 24-hour care alone. If a client can't be left alone, many live-in carers align breaks with visits from family members. If no one else can provide support, suggest a temporary carer visit.

Night-time care

If you provide care all day, you need rest. If you live with your client, being on call at night is normal. However, regular night support needs can disturb your sleep. If your client needs all the support day and night, suggest they employ a night carer. You can continue daytime help, or vice versa.

Holidays

All UK workers get at least 28 days of annual leave. If you are the sole or primary caregiver, your client may need in home respite care while you take leave. This allows you a much needed break.

How can in home respite care help your loved one?

If you receive care from a family member or a professional carer, in home respite care means no worry about leaving home if they are unavailable. This is especially true for elderly people or an elderly loved one.

Prevent social isolation

Many people with disabilities feel chronically lonely. If leaving home is hard, and you only see family or your regular carer, this is understandable. Having replacement care workers visit can expand your social circle. Compassionate carers can make a big difference.

Improving your relationship

Receiving care from a loved one can change relationships. If your spouse cares for you, you may feel less like partners. If your child cares for you, role-reversal can be hard. While your loved one provides personal care, they may be more stressed from this dynamic. In home respite care means your primary caregiver can take time away. They might leave the house. Or you might spend time together, knowing they are not responsible for your personal care.

Providing peace of mind

If you have one carer, you might worry if they get ill. Emergency care can be arranged, however, with a regular respite care arrangement, you can trust your carer before an emergency. This is beneficial for many, including those who need support while continuing to follow their GP’s advice for conditions like dementia. This type of care allows for ongoing care in a familiar environment.

In-Home Respite Care Services: Costs, Funding, and Emergency Planning

In home respite care services provide support while a usual carer is unavailable. Whether for a few hours occasionally, or regularly for consistent breaks, they offer peace of mind. This applies to family caregivers, professional workers, and the person receiving care. The benefits of respite care are numerous.

Respite care funding options vary depending on circumstances. Your local council or local authority may help fund respite care. This often needs assessment and a financial assessment. You might be eligible for financial support, council funding, or Carer's Allowance. Some choose to fund their own respite care.

A local care manager can likely answer the question - how much does respite care cost? When discussing needs, assistance with medication management routines or meal preparation for nutritious meals can be explored. Carers can assist in administering medication as prescribed by a doctor, but do not undertake complex tasks that require a nurse.

Even if you don't need in home respite care services now, plan for what happens if you can't care for your loved one. Arranging emergency respite care at short notice during a difficult time is possible, but stressful. If you're seeking reliable in-home respite care in London, let Tiggo Care provide the exceptional support your loved one deserves. Contact us today to discuss your personal needs and learn how our compassionate carers can help you.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of respite care at home?

Respite care at home means a regular carer gets a short break. The person you care for receives temporary support in their own familiar environment. This service ensures they continue to receive personal care and assistance.

What does it mean when someone is in respite care?

It means the person is receiving temporary care from a respite carer or professional carer. Their primary caregiver is taking a much-needed break. This ensures the person is safely looked after.

Who is respite care best suited for?

Respite care services suit family caregivers needing a break from caring responsibilities. It also benefits the person you care for, like an elderly parent or loved one needing ongoing care and support. It helps maintain everyone's well-being.

What does emergency respite care mean?

Emergency respite care is temporary support arranged at short notice or a moment's notice. This short-term respite care often happens during a family emergency. Or if the regular carer suddenly cannot provide care, offering immediate temporary relief.

Let us be your helping hand

Get in touch with Tiggo Care today to see how we can help you or your loved one.

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