Frequently Asked Questions About Respite

Respite (sometimes spelt ‘Restbite’) is a term used to mean a short stay in a care home. It is also sometimes called ‘short stay’.  Whatever it’s called, a short stay can be just the thing to regain independence or provide a much needed break.

Respite care can offer families and carers a much-needed break. It’s also a great option as part of a post-operative care programme or simply for when your home’s being redecorated.

Most carers tell us they feel guilty when they need a break or want to go on holiday, and they worry that no one will care for their relative the way they do. Our care teams are passionate about providing individualised, friendly care. Each year, we help families all over the UK to take a break, knowing that their loved ones are in the very best hands in a Four Seasons Health Care Group home.

Staying with us for a short period can help you to regain your confidence, make new friends, try new activities and take time out.

Respite care can provide residential, nursing and dementia care where needed. Many of our homes have expertise in all areas but please get in touch to locate your nearest home and have a chat about your requirements.

A typical respite stay is around 2-3 weeks in length but can be less or much longer. The length of respite stays varies widely and depends upon your requirements and circumstances. If your family are planning a holiday, the stay might only be for a couple of weeks. However, if you are waiting for your flat or apartment to have improvements…the stay might be a little longer. Here at Four Seasons Health Care Group, we can accommodate most length of stays and this is something to chat with the home manager at your chosen care home.

Our fees will vary depending upon the type of care, accommodation and the length of stay you require. Some individuals may have their stay partly or wholly funded by the local authority or local CCG. However this isn’t necessary in order to make a booking and stay with us.

Your chosen home’s manager will be able to talk to you about the fees when you enquire. We give an indicative from price for a week’s stay on each care home website.  Funding care needn’t be a worry. Four Seasons Health Care Group has identified care fees specialist, Symponia to offer independent guidance on how best to fund your care and make the most of your current assets.

Our fees include:

• 24-hour care
• Private bedroom – many offer en-suite facilities
• Full use of all communal lounges and facilities
• All utilities – there is no additional charge for gas or electricity usage
• Laundry (excludes dry cleaning services)
• All your meals and refreshments (including any special dietary requirements agreed with the home manager in advance)
• Varied activities programme called Magic Moments Together

We can also provide additional services and items for a small charge. These might include:

• Hairdressing appointments
• Daily newspaper
• Physiotherapy or occupational therapy sessions

Please call us to enquire about availability and the fees for your chosen home.

If you are funding your own care, you can choose to use short-stay services whenever and wherever you want.  If you want advice about whether we can provide suitable care and support during your stay, please get in touch for a chat.

If you are part or wholly funding respite care with public funding from a local authority, for example, you will need to go through the public funding assessment process to determine whether you are eligible for a respite stay. This means liaising with your local social services in the first instance. However, remember you still have choice and if you are partly funding your care, it may well be worth having a conversation with care home fees specialist, Symponia. Your home manager can provide more information about Symponia.

The next step is to have a conversation with our home manager about the type of care you need, whether this be residential, nursing or dementia care. Don’t worry if you aren’t sure…call for a chat and some advice.

Respite availability varies throughout the year and different homes have different care services, so it’s recommended that you contact the home manager as far in advance as possible to check if they can accommodate you.  Some of our care homes have the ability for you to pre-book your stay in advance, meaning you can book your holiday in the coming months knowing that care is in place.  Just give us a call to find out whether your dates are available to book in advance.

The first thing to do is have a conversation with the home manager or senior person on duty in our care home. They will be able to tell you whether they can provide the appropriate type of care for you or your relative. They will also let you know whether they have the facilities to book in advance or whether you would need to call back nearer the time.

We are sometimes able to offer you the option to book your respite stay in advance and can help you book up to size months in advance in some cases.  Unfortunately, it’s not possible to pre-book your respite stay at all of our care homes, so please give us a call to discuss what you need and when. If this is the case, you will need to get in touch with the home nearer the time to confirm what is possible and whether accommodation is available for your desired dates.

Please call us​ to find out more about Four Seasons Health Care Group care homes in your area.

Of course! Your friends and family are welcome to visit you at any time during your stay with us.  Some families like to join in with activities and events taking place at the home.

Many residents and short stay residents stay in touch using their own mobile phone (and of course your friends and family can visit at any time).  Our Magic Moments team have introduced Zoom and other technologies to help families stay in touch. We also take the magic outdoors, encouraging our residents to get out and about with trips to pubs, galleries, gardens and local events. Also, a steady stream of interesting people also come into our homes, from local artists and musicians to animal therapists and beauticians.

We pride ourselves on our personalised care, which means it’s important we know how to care for you prior to your arrival. Your chosen home’s manager will arrange an assessment with you so we know exactly what your needs and preferences are.

Your room has a wardrobe and set of drawers for your clothes. Your bed will be fully made up and we will also provide towels for your stay with us. You will, however, need to bring the following:

• Clothes for your stay, including underwear
• Socks, tights or stockings
• Night clothes and dressing gown
• Slippers and shoes
• Coat/jacket
• Toothbrush and toiletries
• Any medication you require during your stay
• Any personal electrical appliances (although these will need to be PAT tested)
• Any other small personal items, such as books, CDs, stationery, etc.

Apart from that, come as you are. We look forward to welcoming you into our home and becoming part of our family.