Advice RE Respite care

Idpullthecurtain

It would be great to hear from anyone who has had similar experience.  I am very new to all this.

My Partner cares for her Mother and we are planning on applying for some Respite Care so we can have a holiday which otherwise wont be possible.  I haven't started the application yet.  I was wondering about it and thinking about how likely it is we would be successful, and any considerations that might be useful to know?  Her Mothers disability is severe and is totally immobile.

Does anyone have any experience of this?
TIA

Keep_pedalling

You partner will need a careers assessment and her mother a needs assessment if you want the LA to pay for respite. Does your partner’s mother have the assets available to pay for a short period of respite? If she does then I would look at that option as you will have far more control on when and where the respite can be taken. 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/support-and-benefits-for-carers/carer-breaks-and-respite-care/

Idpullthecurtain

Keep_pedalling said:

You partner will need a careers assessment and her mother a needs assessment if you want the LA to pay for respite. Does your partner’s mother have the assets available to pay for a short period of respite? If she does then I would look at that option as you will have far more control on when and where the respite can be taken. 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/support-and-benefits-for-carers/carer-breaks-and-respite-care/

Thanks for this.
Yes we are arranging assessments.
I dont think they have much money, I dont think they could afford to pay?

Do you know if LA paying for respite is pretty uncommon?

Keep_pedalling

Idpullthecurtain said:

Keep_pedalling said:

You partner will need a careers assessment and her mother a needs assessment if you want the LA to pay for respite. Does your partner’s mother have the assets available to pay for a short period of respite? If she does then I would look at that option as you will have far more control on when and where the respite can be taken. 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/support-and-benefits-for-carers/carer-breaks-and-respite-care/

Thanks for this.
Yes we are arranging assessments.
I dont think they have much money, I dont think they could afford to pay?

Do you know if LA paying for respite is pretty uncommon?

Afraid I don’t I only arranged this once for my mother which I paid for myself as it was over Christmas and it was the only option at the time. 

Savvy_Sue

I don't know how common it is: I suspect it depends on the local authority and how difficult it will be to make an arrangement. But I do know that it does happen, and I would definitely pursue it, because without respite, your partner may end up struggling to provide what is needed (perhaps even is already struggling!) 

Also think about what regular short-term help might be valuable - if Mother can't easily be left, then just someone being there while your partner goes out for a walk might be very helpful! 

Idpullthecurtain

Savvy_Sue said:

I don't know how common it is: I suspect it depends on the local authority and how difficult it will be to make an arrangement. But I do know that it does happen, and I would definitely pursue it, because without respite, your partner may end up struggling to provide what is needed (perhaps even is already struggling!) 

Also think about what regular short-term help might be valuable - if Mother can't easily be left, then just someone being there while your partner goes out for a walk might be very helpful! 

Thanks for this, its appreciated.  We will pursue it.  Im already concerned about my Partners wellbeing without the option of having a break.  Its interesting to hear there may be other short-term help options.  I will try and find out as much as I can.

Albermarle

Idpullthecurtain said:

Keep_pedalling said:

You partner will need a careers assessment and her mother a needs assessment if you want the LA to pay for respite. Does your partner’s mother have the assets available to pay for a short period of respite? If she does then I would look at that option as you will have far more control on when and where the respite can be taken. 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/support-and-benefits-for-carers/carer-breaks-and-respite-care/

Thanks for this.
Yes we are arranging assessments.
I dont think they have much money, I dont think they could afford to pay?

Do you know if LA paying for respite is pretty uncommon?

Whether you pay yourself or the LA pays, you still have to actually find a place that has the capacity to offer the respite.

Idpullthecurtain

Albermarle said:

Idpullthecurtain said:

Keep_pedalling said:

You partner will need a careers assessment and her mother a needs assessment if you want the LA to pay for respite. Does your partner’s mother have the assets available to pay for a short period of respite? If she does then I would look at that option as you will have far more control on when and where the respite can be taken. 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/support-and-benefits-for-carers/carer-breaks-and-respite-care/

Thanks for this.
Yes we are arranging assessments.
I dont think they have much money, I dont think they could afford to pay?

Do you know if LA paying for respite is pretty uncommon?

Whether you pay yourself or the LA pays, you still have to actually find a place that has the capacity to offer the respite.

Ah I see.  And I suspect that part is hard.  So does the LA agree to fund, and then we would have to organise a place?

Albermarle

Idpullthecurtain said:

Albermarle said:

Idpullthecurtain said:

Keep_pedalling said:

You partner will need a careers assessment and her mother a needs assessment if you want the LA to pay for respite. Does your partner’s mother have the assets available to pay for a short period of respite? If she does then I would look at that option as you will have far more control on when and where the respite can be taken. 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/support-and-benefits-for-carers/carer-breaks-and-respite-care/

Thanks for this.
Yes we are arranging assessments.
I dont think they have much money, I dont think they could afford to pay?

Do you know if LA paying for respite is pretty uncommon?

Whether you pay yourself or the LA pays, you still have to actually find a place that has the capacity to offer the respite.

Ah I see.  And I suspect that part is hard.  So does the LA agree to fund, and then we would have to organise a place?

They might have a list of places to try, but normally you would have to do the legwork.
Also some may say the LA rates are not high enough to cover their costs, so can not offer anything.

Savvy_Sue

But don't let the difficulties stop you. Your partner needs a carers assessment. What you get from that isn't known, but without it, you get nothing. 

elsien

When your partner has her carers assessment, she needs to not underplay the impact that caring is having. Many carers for any number of reasons minimise the impact that caring is having on them.
Your partner really needs to be saying that without respite there is a strong risk of carer breakdown.