Respite Care in Edinburgh
From Leith and Portobello to Morningside, Corstorphine and Gilmerton, Edinburgh has many families caring for someone at home. Short breaks help you keep going, and the right provider makes it easier to step away.
Home care is the most flexible way to start, with a carer visiting for a few hours so you can rest, work or attend appointments. For longer breaks, live in care keeps your loved one at home, while short stays in care homes and nursing homes around Edinburgh offer round the clock support, including specialist dementia care.
VOCAL supports unpaid carers in Edinburgh with advice, counselling and help planning breaks. In Scotland, carers can ask the City of Edinburgh Council for an adult carer support plan, which can include short breaks.
Local support, NHS and funding in Edinburgh
The City of Edinburgh Council and its health and social care partnership can assess the needs of the person you care for and offer you an Adult Carer Support Plan. If you are eligible, they may arrange or help fund short breaks, and in Scotland councils cannot charge for support given to carers themselves. Visit the City of Edinburgh Council website, and see mygov.scot for more on short breaks from caring.
If your loved one’s needs are mainly health related, speak to their GP or community health team about what NHS support is available. Scotland has its own benefits: Carer Support Payment has replaced Carer’s Allowance, and Pension Age Disability Payment has replaced Attendance Allowance for people of State Pension age. Both are paid by Social Security Scotland. Our guide to funding respite care and carer’s assessment guide explain more.
Your local Age UK may offer carers support and sitting services, and you can search for charity grants towards the cost of a break through Turn2us.
Booking respite care in Edinburgh
Before you book, check the provider’s latest inspection report from the Care Inspectorate and ask about availability, the minimum length of stay and what is included in the price. Short stay places in Edinburgh can fill up around school holidays and Christmas, so it helps to enquire a few weeks ahead. If this is your first break, a few home care visits or a short trial stay can help your loved one settle.
Every provider listed here can be contacted directly through respite-care.co.uk. Use the filters to narrow by type of care or condition, then send a free, no obligation enquiry to the providers that suit you. If you are new to arranging a break, our guide to getting a carer’s assessment explains how to ask the council for help with the cost.
