Carers breaks and support

While a short break often means the person you care for is either looked after by someone else or takes part in an activity, sometimes the carer and the person they care for might want to go on holiday or take part in an activity together or with other people as this can provide a break from the usual routine of caring. 

If you or the person you care for are eligible for support then Adults and Health will be able to help you to have a regular break from caring.  This will usually be a Replacement Care or Respite Service where someone from a care agency takes over caring on a temporary basis.  Examples include home based respite, sitting services, day services, respite in a residential or nursing setting.  This type of service is regarded as a service provided to the person you care for and so they may be charged for the service.  A financial assessment will be undertaken to see how much they can afford to pay.

If you or the person you care for are not eligible for support, or if you choose not to have an assessment or support provided by Adult Social Care, there are still opportunities for you to have a short break from caring, for example:

• You could ask family and friends to step in and take over caring on a temporary basis
• The Leeds Directory has lots of information about services and activities in the community which could provide you with a short break as well as vetted care services to provide support whilst you take a longer break. 

Even if you or the person you care for are not eligible for support from Adult Social Care you may be eligible for other forms of carers grants.