Respite care in a care home

Most care homes focus on long-term residential care, but some also offer short-term respite care options. It can be difficult to get respite space at short notice, but some homes will take advance reservations which can help you to plan ahead, for example if you want to book a holiday.

Finding care homes that offer respite care

Enter the postcode of the person needing care in our care services directory to find local care homes. Then contact the local care homes to see if respite care is something they may be able to offer. 

See also how to choose a care home for further advice on this topic, together with our checklists on visiting a care home.

If the person you care for needs short-term specialist care following an illness or operation, NHS Intermediate Care might be an option. This provides free care and support at home or in a care home for up to six weeks. It’s usually provided following a stay in hospital, or to prevent admission to hospital, for example if the person’s usual carer is suddenly taken ill. For more information, see our article on intermediate care.