One of the first questions families ask when they start considering respite care is simple:
How much will it cost?
Unfortunately, there is no single UK price for respite care.
The cost depends on the type of care, where you live, the needs of the person receiving care, how long the care is required and whether the care is privately funded or arranged through public services.
This guide explains what can affect the cost and what you should ask before agreeing to a respite arrangement.
What affects the cost of respite care?
Several factors can change the price significantly.
Type of care
A few hours of home care will usually cost less than a 24-hour residential placement.
Options can include:
- Sitting services
- Home care
- Day care
- Live-in care
- Residential respite
- Nursing respite
- Specialist dementia care
Location
Care costs vary significantly around the UK and even between neighbouring areas.
Do not assume that the cheapest advertised price represents the cheapest overall option.
Care needs
Someone who needs basic personal care may have different costs from someone who requires:
- Two carers for transfers
- Complex medication support
- Nursing care
- Specialist dementia support
- Significant behavioural support
- Specialist equipment
Always tell the provider about the person’s actual needs before accepting a quote.
Is respite care charged by the day or week?
There is no universal charging model.
A care home may quote a daily or weekly rate.
Some homes may have a minimum stay.
Others may be willing to offer shorter stays where availability allows.
Ask the home to confirm:
- The daily rate
- Minimum stay
- Deposit
- What happens if the stay is extended
- Cancellation terms
- Additional charges
Get this information in writing.
Are there additional costs?
The headline room rate may not cover every service.
Ask whether additional charges apply for:
- Hairdressing
- Chiropody
- Transport
- Personal items
- Specialist equipment
- Additional care
- Certain activities or therapies
Also ask what happens if the person’s needs change during the stay.
Can the council help pay?
Potentially.
In England, a person’s eligibility for council-funded care is linked to an assessment of their needs and their financial circumstances.
A carer’s assessment may also identify respite or other support that could help the carer.
The arrangements differ across the UK.
If you think you need respite, do not assume you have to pay privately before asking your local authority what support may be available.
Could NHS funding be relevant?
If the person has significant health needs, NHS Continuing Healthcare may be relevant.
CHC is different from ordinary social-care funding and is based on assessed health needs.
Someone who is not eligible for CHC but requires nursing care in a nursing home may potentially qualify for NHS-funded nursing care.
These are separate issues from the basic question of whether a care home offers a respite room.
What should I ask for before booking?
Ask the provider for a written quotation that explains:
- Length of stay
- Daily or weekly fee
- Deposit
- What is included
- Additional charges
- Cancellation policy
- What happens if the stay is extended
- What happens if the person’s care needs increase
Do not be afraid to ask questions.
A reputable provider should expect families to want to understand the costs before agreeing to a stay.
Is private respite care worth paying for?
That depends on your circumstances.
For some families, paying privately for a short stay provides flexibility and allows them to arrange care when they need it.
For others, the cost may be unaffordable without support.
The important thing is not to make the decision based purely on price.
The safest and most appropriate service is the one that can properly meet the person’s needs while giving you confidence that they are being looked after.
Final thought
Respite care is an investment in the sustainability of caring.
Before booking, establish exactly what you are paying for and investigate whether you may be entitled to help with the cost.
For a wider explanation of the different types of respite and how to arrange them, read our [Respite Care in the UK: A Complete Guide for Family Carers].