Care type
Respite care
Caring for someone is sustainable when there are breaks in it. Respite is how those breaks get organised — planned or urgent, at home or elsewhere.
Written and reviewed by the My Caregiver editorial team · Last reviewed September 2026 · Editorial policy
The four common types
- In-home respite — a worker comes to the house so the carer can leave, rest or sleep. The least disruptive option for the person being supported.
- Community or day respite — a centre-based program or group activity for part of the day, often with transport included.
- Overnight respite — support through the night, either at home or in a facility, so the carer gets uninterrupted sleep.
- Residential respite — a short stay in an aged care home, commonly used for planned holidays, surgery recovery or after a carer becomes unwell.
Book it before you need it
The most common mistake families make is treating respite as an emergency measure. By the time a carer is exhausted, choices narrow and the first experience of respite happens in the worst possible conditions. A small, regular break — a fixed few hours each week — is easier to staff, easier for the person receiving care to get used to, and far more protective.
Have an emergency plan on paper
What to hand over before a respite stay or shift
- The daily routine, including sleep and mealtimes
- Medications, doses, timing and who is authorised to administer them
- Mobility and transfer needs, and any equipment involved
- Communication preferences, triggers and what helps when things get hard
- Food likes, dislikes, allergies and swallowing considerations
- Favourite activities, music and topics that settle the day
- GP details, emergency contacts and any advance care documents
Making the break an actual break
Plan what you will do with the time before it arrives, or the hours evaporate into chores. Sleep, an appointment you have postponed, or simply leaving the house all count. If you spend the whole respite window on the phone to the provider, the handover was not detailed enough — fix that for next time rather than giving up on respite.
If dementia is involved
Familiarity matters more than usual. Introduce the respite worker while you are still present, keep the routine and environment as close to normal as possible, and share what typically helps in the late afternoon. Our dementia support guide covers this in more detail.
Common questions
What counts as respite care?
Any arrangement that gives a primary carer a break while the person they support continues to receive care. It can be a few hours at home, a day program, an overnight stay, or a short stay in a residential setting.
Can we get respite at short notice?
Emergency respite exists, but availability varies by location and time of year. If there is any chance you will need it, ask your provider now what the emergency process is and keep a written handover ready.
Will the person I care for cope with someone new?
Often better than families expect, especially when respite is introduced gradually. Start with a short visit while you are still at home, then build up. A sudden first experience of respite during a crisis is much harder for everyone.
Is respite funded?
Respite may be funded through aged care, NDIS or carer support programs depending on circumstances, and it can also be arranged privately. Check current eligibility through the relevant official service, and ask providers for their private rates too.
Last reviewed September 2026. General information only — not medical, legal or financial advice.