Wondering what to expect from respite care? A respite stay is a short, planned break in a care home, anything from a long weekend to a few weeks, where your loved one gets the same support as a permanent resident while you rest, recover or go away. At Redlands House in Hellesdon, Norwich, that means a comfortable room, home-cooked meals, company, help with medication and personal care, and a team who learn how your mum or dad likes things done before they arrive. Here is how a first stay actually works, and what families tell us surprised them.
If you are reading this, you are probably running on empty. Caring for someone you love is a privilege and it is also exhausting, and the guilt of wanting a break can be worse than the tiredness itself. So let us say it plainly: taking a break is not giving up. It is how you keep going.
What is respite care, and who is it for?
Respite care is a short stay in a care home with the same care and routines a longer-term resident would have. Families use it in a few common situations:
- You are the main carer and need time to rest, see your own doctor, attend a wedding or take a holiday.
- Your loved one is coming out of hospital and needs a little extra support before going home.
- You want to try residential care for a week or two before deciding on anything permanent.
- Your parent is living with dementia and would benefit from calm routines and company while you catch your breath.
The NHS guide to carer breaks and respite care is a good independent overview if you are just starting to look.
What is included in a respite stay?
Everything a permanent resident has. At Redlands House that includes:
- A furnished room, bedding and towels, with space for photos and favourite things from home
- Help with washing, dressing and getting about, as much or as little as needed
- Medication looked after and given on time
- Home-cooked meals and snacks, with preferences and special diets catered for
- The full activities programme: crafts, music, gentle exercise, reminiscence, trips to the shops opposite and time in the garden
- Quiet corners for reading, a nap or the television when someone wants a slower day
- Staff on duty through the night
What happens before your loved one arrives?
A good respite stay is mostly planned before day one. We talk with you about daily habits, mobility, medication, favourite meals, sleep patterns, hobbies and any memory-loss needs, so staff can mirror home routines from the first morning. We will usually suggest a visit to the home together beforehand if time allows, and we complete a short assessment so the care is safe and right for them.
Then it is a matter of confirming dates and what to bring: comfortable clothes and slippers, toiletries, any medication with clear instructions, and a few familiar things. A photo of the dog, a favourite cardigan and the Radio Times do more to settle someone than you would think.
What does the first day feel like?
Unhurried. Someone meets them at the door, shows them their room and the lounges, and introduces a couple of friendly faces. Nobody is pushed into anything. Some guests join the afternoon activity within an hour; others want a cup of tea in their room and a quiet look round. Both are fine. Staff keep a gentle eye on how they are settling and let you know how the first day went.
Can you visit someone in respite care?
Yes, and we encourage it. Visit, phone for an update, or join them for a mealtime or an activity if you would like to. Some families use the stay to have a proper, relaxed afternoon together without the caring jobs in between. Others find a few days of distance is exactly the rest they needed. Either way, you decide.
How long can a respite stay be, and how quickly can it start?
Stays at Redlands House range from a long weekend to several weeks, depending on your needs and room availability. If you need support at short notice, ring us and we will tell you honestly what is possible that week. Planned stays, especially over holidays and bank holidays, are best booked early because those weeks fill quickly.
How much is respite care, and do you have to pay?
Respite is usually paid for privately, though some people are entitled to council support after a needs and financial assessment from Norfolk County Council. Fees vary with the level of support and the room, so we give a clear, personal quote after a short conversation rather than a one-size figure. Our guide to the cost of residential care homes in Norwich explains how weekly fees are built up and which funding routes to ask about.
What if my loved one is living with dementia?
For guests with memory loss we keep days calm and familiar: steady routines, life-story details woven into the care plan, favourite music, and staff trained to reassure rather than correct. Families often tell us a short stay gave them a real rest and gave their mum or dad a change of scene they enjoyed more than anyone expected. If you are weighing up the bigger decision, our guide on choosing a care home over home care may help.
Respite care at Redlands House, Norwich
Redlands House is a small, privately owned care home on Reepham Road in Hellesdon, caring for Norwich families since 2003 and rated Good by the Care Quality Commission. Short stays are a natural part of what we do, not an afterthought, and many permanent residents first came to us for a week. You can read more about respite care at Redlands House, or ring us to talk through dates.
Call 01603 427337, tell us what you need and when, and we will do our best to make a short stay work for your family. If it helps to see the home first, come for a cuppa and a look round.
FAQs about what to expect from respite care
What should I pack for a respite stay?
Comfortable clothing and nightwear, slippers, toiletries, current medication with instructions, and a few familiar things such as photos, a favourite blanket or a book. We provide bedding, towels and day-to-day essentials. A short note about routines and food likes and dislikes is a huge help.
Will my mum be lonely or bored?
Unlikely. Guests join the same activities, mealtimes and outings as everyone else, and staff make a point of introducing them to residents with similar interests. Those who prefer a quieter stay are left in peace with a cup of tea and the television.
Can a respite stay become permanent?
Often, yes, if a room is available and everyone agrees it is the right move. Many families use a short stay as a gentle trial. If it goes well, the move can usually be made without a second upheaval.
Can respite be arranged after a hospital stay?
Yes. A short stay is a common bridge between hospital and home, giving someone time to regain confidence with support on hand. Ask the hospital discharge team to involve us early so the assessment can be done before the discharge date.
How do I know respite care is working?
You will see it in small things: your dad eating properly, sleeping better, chatting at lunch. And you will feel it in yourself when you return with a bit more patience and energy. That is the whole point.