Respite care gives family carers a much-needed break, whether for a few hours or a longer period. It is a valued Support at Home service, and one carers often search for. Here are seven plain-English ways to make your respite funding go further.
1. Choose a self-managed package
This is the biggest saving. A self-managed package carries much lower management fees than a high-fee fully-coordinated one, and self-managed providers tend to charge lower hourly rates. More of your budget reaches actual respite hours. Many families find a self-managed package delivers close to twice the care hours, respite included.
2. Compare how respite is charged
Providers charge for respite in different ways. Ask exactly how a prospective provider charges, whether by the hour or by a longer block, and compare. A clear charging method is easier to plan and budget.
3. Plan respite ahead, not in a crisis
Respite arranged calmly in advance is usually easier and better value than respite arranged urgently. Sit down with your case manager and build regular respite into your care plan, so a carer's break is planned rather than scrambled for.
4. Use in-home respite where it suits
A support worker coming to the home so the carer can go out is often a flexible, good-value form of respite. It can be arranged in shorter blocks and built into a steady routine. Talk to your provider about in-home respite options.
5. Check for travel charges
Some providers charge worker travel separately, which adds to each respite visit. Ask whether travel is included in the hourly rate or charged on top, and factor that into your comparison.
6. Schedule on weekdays where possible
Weekend and after-hours rates are usually higher because of penalty pay. Where a carer's break can be taken on a weekday, that simple choice stretches the respite budget further.
7. Combine respite with other support
While a worker is providing respite, they may also be able to help with a suitable everyday task. Combining sensible tasks into one visit reduces overhead. Ask your provider what works for your situation.
The bottom line
Respite care draws on your budget, and it is too important to ration. The single biggest way to get more respite from your funding is to choose a self-managed package with low fees. A carer's break should never be the first thing cut.
See how a self-managed package changes your respite hours with the SAH budget calculator, and compare providers in your area with the find-care comparison.