What is Respite Care?

And do I qualify for it?

Definition of Respite Care & Short Breaks

"Respite Care should be a positive experience for the cared for person and the carer to enhance their lives and support their relationship. Respite care can be provided within or outwith an individual's home and may extend from a few hours to a few weeks". (Scottish Borders Strategy for Carers 2001-2002)

All short breaks and respite care provision will be provided after an assessment of the service user and carers needs to determine the appropriate kind and location of provision.
The assessment will be undertaken by the most appropriate lead professional (from either Social Work or Health setting) as per the guidelines for the Partnership Approach to Care Management. Input or specialist assessment will be sought from other disciplines as appropriate.
The level and kind of provision will be dependent on an assessment and regular review of need and can include regular respite breaks but will also be available in crises situations.

Note: It is important to note that block periods of respite care during a 12 month period may affect benefit entitlement. In most circumstances where there are regular planned breaks in a residential & hospital setting, welfare benefits officers should be consulted in the drafting of care plans.

Social Care Provision

The aim of respite care/short breaks in a social care setting is to provide a service to enable the carer to continue to provide care and enable the cared for person to remain at home. It should be a positive experience for the carer and cared for person and help to maintain their independence and skills.

Criteria

The service user lives permanently with family or other and is in need of short break or respite to prevent the breakdown of these arrangements.
The service user lives in their own home but relies on unpaid/paid carers and is in need of a short break to prevent the breakdown of community living arrangements.

Priority will be given where the carer provides long term substantial care for the cared for person.

Delivery of respite care

Regular respite care or short breaks should be agreed in advance.
Respite or short breaks should be available during crises.
Duration and timing of respite care should be convenient to user and carer.
Various options such as care at home, daycare and residential care should be explored.
For residential respite care it is desirable that users should have a choice of single room or multi bedded room wherever practicable.
Assessment and appropriate intervention by the multidisciplinary team.
Future care needs and care plan agreed with user and carer.

Note: Provision of respite in a social care setting will require a financial assessment in line with the Scottish Borders Council's charging policy.

NHS Provision

The aim of providing respite care through the NHS is to offer patients and carers an environment in which their health and care needs can be assessed by a multi-disciplinary team. Future care needs should be agreed in partnership with patients and carers.

Criteria

Patients who require on going rehabilitation from the multidisciplinary team.
Patients with very complex health needs requiring intensive nursing supervision.
Patients with a degenerating condition for whom regular multidisciplinary assessment of their needs is required.
Patients with a terminal illness who require palliative care needs.
Young adults for whom there is no alternative suitable provision for respite care.
People with challenging behaviour.

Priority will be given where the carer provides long term substantial care for the cared for person.

Delivery of respite care

Regular respite care agreed in advance.
Respite or short breaks should be available during crises.
Duration and timing of respite care should be convenient to patient and carer.
Choice of Day Hospital respite care or in patient respite care as appropriate.
For in patient respite care it is desirable that patients should have a choice of single room or multi bedded room wherever practicable.
Assessment and appropriate intervention by the multidisciplinary team.
Future care needs and care plan agreed with patient and carer.
Access to social activity either in the hospital ward, day hospital, day centre and voluntary agencies.