It is important to take time off to provide you with better well-being and even better health.

It can help bring in a fresh pair of eyes and offer tips on ways to handle a couple of care giving tasks.

You can also consider doing a respite swap. This is when you trade respite services with another professional caregiver who can take care of your patients while you are on break.

Respite care can help to rekindle your hobbies or interests outside of a loved one’s care and preserve your own identity.

In-home respite- this can be provided by a volunteer, carer or paid help. They will come in to look after you as your care giver is out. This can be for a few hours or as previously agreed upon. They can take you out for a walk, help with preparing meals or assist with daily living tasks.

Centre-based day respite- you can go to a centre for social or recreational activities where trained respite workers are present.

Consumer-directed respite care- this is respite care that is tailored according to your personal needs or situation. There can be a combination of in-home respite and allocation for emergency respite.

Community access respite- It is respite provided individually or as part of a group. If you wish to go to a social event, a care worker will accompany you. You can therefore enjoy interaction from the social experience.

Overnight or weekend respite- you can either spend the night in a respite cottage or home or have a respite care worker come take care of you throughout the night

Residential respite- this would be for then your carer is on holiday or not around for a particular reason, you can move into a nursing home for a short while till they are back.