The Benefits of Private Respite Care for Elderly Relatives
Being a family caregiver can be incredibly rewarding - but such an important role comes with emotional and physical strain.
Public Health Scotland reported that the number of care homes for adults had dropped by 18% between 2014 and 2024, and there are an estimated 700,000 to 800,000 unpaid carers across the country.
Private respite care offers support for family carers, allowing them to take a well-deserved break to recharge without compromising the quality of care for their loved ones.
In this blog, we look at the benefits of private respite care and why it could be the right choice for your elderly relative.
What is Private Respite Care?
Private respite care is a short-term professional care solution, allowing the primary family carer to take a break and prevent carer burnout. This can be for a few hours here and there, or it could be longer-term holiday cover.
Our Care At Home services are flexible and customised to your needs, and provide professional, quality care for your elderly relative in the comfort of their home.
What are the Benefits of Private Respite Care?
A much-needed break for family carers
The main purpose of private respite care is to provide rest and recovery for family carers.
Care responsibilities take a physical and emotional toll on family members – Carers UK reported that over three-quarters of carers feel stressed or anxious, with almost half reporting feelings of depression.
Respite care creates a space for hobbies, spending time with friends and loved ones, or simply resting. Without these essential moments of self-care, family carers are at risk of burnout, impacting their ability to care for themselves and others.
Allowing a professional carer to take over, even for a short period, will benefit your well-being in the long run.
Personalised care
Opting for private respite care ensures your elderly relative receives tailored, one-on-one support.
We match our patients with carers who are familiar with the local area and align with their interests and values to build a stronger connection.
Our carers are professionally trained in elderly care, including specialised medical needs such as:
● Dementia
● Alzheimer’s
● Parkinson’s
● Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
● Stroke
● Diabetes
● Cancer
● Rehabilitation
● Mental health support
● Learning difficulties
A familiar environment
Many private respite services take place in residential care homes or day centres - but there are also at-home solutions that allow your elderly relative to stay in an environment that’s comfortable and familiar for them.
At-home care massively reduces stress in elderly patients, especially those who suffer from dementia or other long-term health conditions. Care at home combines high-quality, professional care with the comfort of staying close to their memories, local community, and support system.
Peace of mind for family carers
For family carers, it can be difficult to switch off. But with the help of professional caregivers, you can take some much-needed time to yourself, with the assurance your elderly relative is in good hands.
Knowing an experienced carer is there to support the patient is a great comfort – especially when you’ve been involved in creating the care package. At Medway Care Services, we work with family carers to design a plan that works for everyone, supporting with tasks such as:
● Personal care
● Companionship
● Medical support
● Daily activities
● Overnight care
Flexible and convenient Respite Care options
There are private respite care options to suit every budget and every unique set of needs. Our Care At Home packages are designed to fit the requirements of each client, whether you need us for regular care or short-term respite and emergency support.
Every care plan is different, but you can always rest assured our services are person-centred and always prioritise the client. Our carers’ focus is on your elderly relative at all times and we create a schedule that works best for them.
How to Choose the Right Private Respite Care Service
When exploring care-at-home solutions, it’s essential to find a provider you trust.
Reputable credentials guarantee high-quality, professional staff. Medway Care Services is fully regulated by the Care Inspectorate and our processes and procedures are aligned with ISO 9001:2015 standards.
You can also look at online reviews from clients and ask people you know who have used at-home care solutions for recommendations.
Some questions you should ask while choosing a private respite care provider are:
● What services do you offer?
● What areas do you operate in?
● How much does care at home cost?
● How can I arrange care at home?
● What tasks can carers carry out?
Private respite care is not a luxury – it’s a necessity for family carers and elderly relatives.
It can be hard to hand over responsibility to another person, even for a short time. But taking time to rest and recharge will make you a better carer in the long term.
At Medway Care Services, we prioritise compassionate, patient-centred care and build connections with our clients. Our caregivers become a part of the family, and we treat your elderly relatives with the same dignity and respect we treat our own loved ones.
Get in touch today to find out how you can benefit from private respite care solutions.
