Search and Compare Respite Care

Here's a breakdown of average respite care costs in the UK by type:

• Residential respite care: £1,488 per week; £6,448 per month
• Nursing respite care: £1,638 per week; £7,098 per month
• Residential dementia respite care: £1,552 per week; £6,725 per month
• Nursing dementia respite care: £1,678 per week; £7,271 per month

Read our full guide to respite care home costs in the UK.

On average, a respite stay lasts around 2 to 3 weeks, but the length of a respite care stay can vary from anywhere between a few days and a few weeks. It all depends on the person's needs, the reason for the stay, and the minimum respite stay offered by a care home.

Some people book a short stay to cover a family carer's holiday or a short-term break, while others may need a bit longer — for example, during recovery from illness or while waiting for home adaptations to be completed. If respite care is arranged privately, there's often flexibility to stay as long as needed, though longer stays may be reviewed to see if more permanent care is required.

Respite care is for anyone who is a carer for a friend or family member and needs a short break from their caregiving role. It gives carers time to rest or take a holiday while ensuring the person they look after continues to get the support they need.

Yes — respite care doesn’t always mean a stay in a care home. There are several other options that can give carers a much-needed break while still ensuring the person they care for is well supported.

Some common alternatives include:

• Home care – A paid carer visits the person’s home to help with daily tasks, offer companionship, or take them out shopping and even to socialise.
• Day care centres – These provide social activities, meals, and sometimes outings, giving carers a few hours or a full day of respite. Many care homes listed through Lottie offer day care services.
• Sitting services – Volunteers or paid carers spend time with the person you care for so you can have a break.
• Help from friends or family – A trusted friend or relative may be able to step in now and again.
• Respite holidays – Some services offer supported holidays for carers and the people they care for, or breaks where the person can go away while being looked after.

The right option will depend on your needs, preferences, and what's available locally. Our Care Experts can help you explore what's on offer by creating a free list of respite care homes in your area.

Yes, you may need to pay for respite care. Lottie can help you find respite care homes throughout the UK. If you think you require funding support to pay for care, you'll need a financial assessment from your local council. This directly follows a care needs assessment which you can apply for here.

These assessments are free and help the council understand what kind of support you might need. If you qualify, they may cover some or all of the costs, or give you a personal budget to arrange care yourself. If you're not eligible, you can still organise respite care privately, but you'll need to pay for it.

It's also a good idea to check with local carers' groups or charities, as they may offer extra help or funding for short breaks. Learn more about the cost of respite care here.

We're here to help you find the right respite care option for you or your loved one. Request a free list of respite care homes, and our Care Experts will send you curated options that match your unique requirements, such as budget and location.

If you're seeking funding support, you'll need a financial assessment to determine whether you or your local authority will pay for care.

Some care homes accept advance bookings for respite stays, which is useful if you're planning ahead — for example, around a holiday. Availability can be limited at short notice, so it's best to plan in advance where possible. If you're arranging privately, simply contact the care home to discuss availability, costs, and how long a stay can last.

During a respite stay, your loved one will receive the same level of care and attention as permanent residents — just on a short-term basis. This can include help with personal care (like washing and dressing), medication support, nutritious meals, and a full programme of social activities.

Many care homes also create a temporary care plan tailored to the person's specific needs and routines, so they feel as comfortable and supported as possible while away from home. Respite stays can be as short as a few days or several weeks, depending on what's needed and a home's minimum respite stay.

Yes, respite care is available for people with a wide range of needs, including dementia and other complex medical conditions. Many care homes offer specialist dementia care or have nursing staff on-site who can provide support with things like wound care, catheter management, or recovery after surgery.

If your loved one has a specific diagnosis or medical requirement, it's important to choose a care home that is experienced in providing that type of support. With Lottie, you can request a shortlist of respite options that match your loved one's exact care needs.

Yes — in fact, we recommend it. While some respite stays are arranged urgently (for example, after a hospital stay or when a family carer is unwell), many families book respite care in advance to give everyone peace of mind.

You might book a short stay around a holiday or simply plan ahead so a regular carer can take a break. Booking early also gives you time to visit the care home, speak with the team, and help your loved one feel more familiar within their new surroundings before the stay.

Not always. You can arrange respite care privately at any time without a formal care needs assessment. Simply request a shortlist through Lottie or download a brochure from one of our listing pages — and you can start arranging a stay whenever you're ready.

However, if you're applying for respite care funding through your local council, a care needs assessment will be needed. This helps determine what kind of support is needed and whether the council can cover the cost.

It's incredibly rewarding to care for a loved one, but it can also be physically and emotionally exhausting. Respite care gives carers the chance to rest and look after their own health and wellbeing, knowing their loved one is being safely looked after.

It's not selfish to take a break — it's essential. Regular respite can prevent burnout and help family carers continue providing support for longer. It also gives loved ones a change of scenery, the chance to meet new people and take part in activities they might not experience at home.

Yes — respite care can be a gentle and supportive way to explore whether full-time care is the right step. A short stay gives your loved one the opportunity to experience life in a care home, meet the staff and other residents, and see how it feels — without making a long-term commitment straight away.

Many families use respite as a 'trial run' to ease the emotional transition and give everyone the time to adjust. If the stay goes well, it's often possible to extend it or begin planning for a more permanent move.

Absolutely — and we strongly encourage it. Visiting in person gives you the chance to meet the team, see the setting, and ask any questions you may have. You'll get a better feel for the home's atmosphere, how staff interact with residents, the types of activities on offer, and whether it feels like a good fit for your loved one. You can also view rooms and bedrooms, sample resident menus and speak about any specific care needs or preferences.