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Live-in Respite Care — A Well-Deserved Break
Flexible short-term live-in care to give family carers a proper rest, knowing their loved one is in safe, professional hands at home.
What is respite care?
Respite care provides temporary relief for family members and unpaid carers who are looking after a loved one. It allows the primary carer to take a break — whether for a weekend, a holiday, or simply some time to recharge — while their loved one continues to receive high-quality care in familiar surroundings.
Caring for a family member is one of the most selfless things a person can do, but it can also be physically and emotionally exhausting. Without regular breaks, family carers are at high risk of burnout, depression, and physical health problems. Respite care is not a luxury — it's a necessity.
Our live-in respite carers move into your loved one's home for as long as they're needed. They follow existing routines, maintain the same standards of care, and provide companionship and support so that your loved one barely notices the transition.
When might you need respite care?
- You need a holiday: Every carer deserves time away. Respite care means you can take a break without guilt or worry.
- You're feeling overwhelmed: If caring is taking a toll on your mental or physical health, even a short break can make a significant difference.
- You have your own health needs: If you need to go into hospital or attend medical appointments, respite care ensures your loved one is looked after.
- You have family commitments: Weddings, funerals, graduations — life doesn't stop because you're a carer.
- You want to trial live-in care: Many families use respite care as a way to experience live-in care before committing to a longer arrangement.
- After a hospital discharge: Short-term live-in care can support recovery after a hospital stay while family members get back to work.
How our respite care works
Our respite care service is designed to be as flexible and straightforward as possible:
- Tell us what you need: Call us or fill in our online form. We'll discuss the type of care required, the duration, and any specific needs or preferences.
- We find the right carer: We carefully match a carer to your loved one based on care needs, personality, and interests. You'll have the opportunity to review their profile before they start.
- Seamless handover: We arrange a thorough handover so the respite carer understands all routines, medication, preferences, and any specific requirements.
- Regular updates: While you're away, we keep you informed with regular updates so you can relax knowing everything is under control.
Respite care can be arranged from as little as a weekend to several months. We can often have a carer in place within 48 hours for urgent situations.
The cost of respite care
Respite care is charged at the same weekly rates as our ongoing live-in care plans, starting from £1,300 per week for standard care. There are no setup fees, no minimum contract periods for respite bookings, and no hidden costs.
Some local authorities offer respite care grants or direct payments that can help cover the cost. The NHS also provides short-term funding in certain circumstances. Our team can help you understand what financial support might be available to you.
Related pages
Understanding Live-in Care
Everything you need to know about how live-in care works.
Live-in Care vs Care Homes
An honest comparison of the two main care options.
Cost Calculator
Get an instant estimate for your care needs.
Funding Your Care
Understand NHS funding, local authority support and self-funding.
Meet Our Carers
Learn about the dedicated professionals who provide our care.
Our Care Services
Explore the full range of live-in care services we offer.
What families say about us
The Live-in Care Agency is powered by Live-in Care Direct. These are reviews families have left for Live-in Care Direct on Trustpilot and Google - follow the links to read them all.
"My wife recently suffered a stroke and after being in hospital for almost 2 months she has finally returned home. Without the help of Live-in Care Direct this would not have been possible. From my first contact, they were amazing and incredibly supportive."
"We had a wonderful carer called Elva care for my nan. She showed such kindness and compassion. The care provided was exceptional. Having a live-in carer meant our nan could remain living in her own home safely. I would definitely recommend Live-in Care Direct."
"Within 24 hours of making contact the wonderful carer moved into my parents' home. My father has advanced dementia. Within two hours of Elva arriving my mum began to relax. She has brought kindness, warmth, love and calm into the house."
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Call us for a free, no-obligation chat about your care needs. We're here 7 days a week, 8am — 10pm.
0800 368 8558