Respite care brings temporary relief to family caregivers so that they can take a break. The cost of respite care in London is dependent on the level of care that is required, how many hours a week it is needed and whether any specialist services are needed. In London this can be higher than in other parts of the UK.
The advantage to respite care is that it can be provided in your own home, so there is no need to disrupt your daily routines. Staying somewhere familiar is often beneficial for a person who is confused from dementia. It is useful when someone with a disability, e.g. autism needs to follow an established pattern.
What is respite care?
Respite care is temporary relief for a family carer. Caring for a family member over a long period can be extremely tiring especially when the person has complex needs and displays challenging behaviours (this is common with profound autism and advanced dementia). Respite carers can step in to take over, whether for a few hours to allow the carer to sleep or go out, or for longer periods so that they can go on holiday, go to work, or care for themselves e.g. a hospital stay.
Jothno Care supports London families that need respite care. We are specialists in providing care for South Asian households and our emphasis is on community values and caring for our elders. We work alongside families and encourage their involvement in care plans. In many cases, we continue to provide care over a number of years and become very familiar with the person and their family.
“Finding a care provider who treats your loved ones like their own family is rare, but that’s exactly what we found with Jothno Care and Support. Their personalised approach to care has made a world of difference to my mother’s quality of life. The carers are not only highly skilled but also incredibly compassionate. Knowing she is in such capable and caring hands gives our family immense peace of mind. Thank you, Jothno, for being more than just a care agency; you are part of our family now.” – Mohammed
There are huge pressures on multigenerational families. The younger generation is trying to balance work, family life and elder care responsibilities. They feel the cultural expectation to provide care. That’s when a trusted, culturally sensitive professional can step in to provide respite care that supplements the existing care.
What respite care costs in London
Typical hourly rates for respite care services range from £23-£34 per hour. Weekly respite care costs vary widely from £500 to £1,500 a week.
At Jothno Care our prices start at £22 per hour and £1295 per week. Our care team can discuss your needs and we will be transparent about pricing. We can also advise on paying for respite care from your benefits and direct payments or accessing council funding for respite care.
The merit in temporary respite care is that it can be more cost effective than a care home. It is often preferential for the person who may want to stay in their own home, especially if they have lived there for a long time, and in a familiar environment within their local community.
Factors affecting the cost of respite care
The cost of respite care can include personal care, companionship, light housekeeping, meal preparation, medication management, shopping and overnight stays. Full time live in care is also available. The duration and the type of care needed (daytime, overnight, emergency) will determine the cost of respite care. We provide care from a few hours a week to 24/7 daily care every day of the year.
Our carers are trained in dementia and disability awareness. We’ve a range of carers and will match a carer to a service user taking into recognition the need for an appropriate gender, language, cultural traditions, dietary requirements and more.
Additional items that may impact cost include the arrangement of transportation to community events, doctor’s appointments and cultural activities.
Financial support and funding for respite care
Local authorities will provide funding for respite care services after an assessment has been undertaken and a need for assistance has been identified. Direct payments are available from the local council or NHS to allow you to choose the type of care that you prefer. This can include personal care and temporary respite care.
Attendance Allowance is available to people of state pension age who need help at home if you have a ‘disability or a health condition that is severe enough that you need someone to help look after you’ (Gov UK). Attendance Allowance has two different rates depending on how much help you need. It ranges from £73.90 to £110.40 (at the time of writing).
Grants and charities provide funding for the installation of equipment, home adaptations and transport if you have limited mobility.
Cost saving tips
Maximise the value of your care plan by using one of our flexible packages for respite care. Consider your immediate and long-term needs and how these might change. Talk to our care team about the best way to achieve your requirements within your budget. We are committed to providing quality care and fair pricing for our services.
Getting the help you need for your family is a sign of strength, not weakness. Busy London families sometimes need short term or temporary help to care for an elder.
The cost of respite care in London
The cost of respite care in London is not insignificant but it is worthwhile to know that your elderly relative or family member with a disability is safe and well cared for by professionals who speak their language. This is particularly true when you are looking for temporary respite care as a smooth transition is essential in order to reassure the person who is being looked after and reduce upheaval during change over of care.
We offer a free consultation and multilingual support from our head office in London. We can arrange for a carer to be on-site at your home quickly and efficiently when needed. Referrals can be made through our form or by calling us on 020 4548 9300. You don’t need to be referred to us by a health professional.