Has anyone ever been in respite care?

MoneySaverForever

Hi there, I'm due to go into respite care from next Monday and I'm looking for some advice. I'm not too well just now and I don't want to be worry about this as well and so I thought I'd ask about it instead

Were your experiences positive or negative? thank you xxx

MoneySaverForever

Anyone? it would be good to have an idea of what it's like xxx

Sueinbirmingham

I think it depends on the sort of respite care and I don't know what your disability is so mine might be totally different.

Mine was in a house in an ordinary street. The home treatment team visited every day. We were looked after not by nurses but by people with NVQs. Everyone was there because there was no hospital bed available for them. Some of the people were very ill and stayed for months and some just stayed overnight. Quite a few people came in just for a few days while their medication was adjusted and then went home again. Most of the residents had their medication counted out, but I made my own dossett boxes up and kept them in the safe and had my meds when I wanted them. We had to go to the shops for our food and there was a big kitchen and a big kitchen table to eat at. You had to ask for the cleaning materials for the kitchen and bathroom because some people tried to drink stuff like bleach and bath cleaner. I have stayed there quite a few times for everything from a single night to several months.

Savvy_Sue

It seems that most of the responses are from people who have had respite care for MH needs. Not sure if that fits the OP's needs or not.

I think I've always thought of respite care as being for the carer's benefit as much as for the person who's not well.

Sueinbirmingham

I think the term respite care is used in both senses.

Savvy_Sue

Sueinbirmingham wrote: »

I think the term respite care is used in both senses.

Yes, I'm sure it is. I guess I was trying to draw out what the OP's respite care is about, because if it's for MH needs, then the MH experiences are more useful than if it's because of serious illness / pain and / or to give carers a break.

Dad reckoned he wanted some respite care, which we suspected he wouldn't actually enjoy, but in the event he was always too ill / in hospital to go, but since he was in his 80s and was going to a nursing home I hope that the OP will have very different facilities!

Money_maker

OP lives alone and has cancer.

MoneySaverForever, I hope you have a lovely positive experience next week and get plenty of rest x

Peter1079

I have had two periods of respite care for physical disabilities. Both at homes run by the Royal British Legion.

The homes are fantastic, clean, very comfortable, very well run. The staff were caring and very friendly. Although no medical care is given, help with personal care needs is given. There were organised things to do for the residents and overall both stays have been very pleasant experiences. I am hoping to go back again later in the year for a third spell of respite.

Peter

stefos

I've been in respite care several times so that my carer (my wife) can visit the children without me in tow hampering her enjoyment. Just think of it as being for someone else's benefit too and try to enjoy the experience as much as you can. Staff will be well experienced and in my case I always get pampered and almost sorry to leave a week later!... Well that's not strictly true, but I am upbeat at the prospect of going back each time - even though last time I had to share a ward with three other people, which initially I didn't like.

Sueinbirmingham

I've heard some great stuff about my nearest hospice.

MoneySaverForever

Money_maker wrote: »

OP lives alone and has cancer.

MoneySaverForever, I hope you have a lovely positive experience next week and get plenty of rest x

Many thanks! I'm looking forward to getting away for the week xxx