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What is respite care?
When a care relationship is not professional and not based on shifts and normal working hours but is continuous for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, a break is not a luxury but essential to maintain the caring role.
Studies have shown that there are increased levels of stress, ill health and mental health problems in those people who undertake a caring role. Carers and those they care for can benefit from day respite, residential respite and phased care services.
Day respite can be provided to offer short periods of respite in a range of different ways:
It may also be possible to access services provided by the private and voluntary sector, for which you will need to contact a Care Manager, using the details at the foot of this page.
Residential respite and phased care can be provided in a residential setting to enable carers to have a break from their caring role. Medway Council has a number of units that can provide this.
Who can access respite care?
Anyone who undertakes a caring role for a friend or relative who is an older person, who has a learning or physical disability or suffers a mental health problem may be able to access respite care services.
Who decides if a carer can access these services?
Respite needs should be identified through an assessment under the NHS and Community Care Act 1990, which includes assessments of carers’ needs under the Carers Recognition and Services Act 1995. A care manager will carry out this assessment. A carer should contact their allocated care manager and discuss their respite needs.
What to do if you do not have an allocated Care Manager
Use the contact details below. The staff in the Adults and Children's Services Team will record all your information and pass this to the appropriate community team, which will then contact you to arrange an assessment.
In an emergency
Normal office hours are:
- Monday - Thursday 8.30am–5.15pm,
- Friday 8.30am-4.45pm).
If it cannot wait until the office re-opens, you can contact a duty social worker on the 24-hour emergency contact number below.
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