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A break from your caring role

 
Looking after an elderly, ill, or disabled adult on a fulltime basis can be demanding and stressful. People in these caring roles may need a break once in a while.

We may be able to arrange respite care for you, so that you can have a break from your caring role.

What kind of care is available?

There is a range of respite care available. Some carers need regular short breaks of a few hours, while others want overnight breaks. There are:

  • day care schemes: these provide educational, social and leisure activities
  • residential care centres: we can usually arrange for tea visits and trial stays beforehand
  • adult placement schemes: staying with vetted carers in their own homes locally or in holiday locations away from the borough.
We will look at your situation and make an assessment of the kind of help you need.

All carers' adult placement schemes and residential centres are monitored and inspected regularly.

We try to arrange for the service users to visit the the home and meet the carers before a placement is made. That way, we can make sure the service user is looked after by the most appropriate carers and that your needs are taken into account.

How to access these services

The first thing to do is get in touch with us so we that we can arrange an assessment of your needs. You can contact an Information Contact Officer on 020 8921 2304.

If you are eligible for help, we will refer you to the right service team who will arrange the care you need.

There may be a small charge for overnight stays, but this will be discussed at your first assessment meeting.

Looking after a child with special needs?

Then see the respite care for children for information on how to access these services.

Further information

For more information, please contact our Adults and Older People's services team using the contact information in the menu to the right.

The Crossroads and Greenwich Volcare links the in Useful links menu to the right will also give you more information about arranging breaks and respite care.

Our Carers' Information Booklet will also give you detailed information about assessments and who to contact for help and information as a carer.

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