Respite Care in Newcastle upon Tyne
From Jesmond and Gosforth to Heaton, Benwell and Kenton, Newcastle upon Tyne has close communities where many people care for a parent, partner or adult child. Respite care gives you time to rest without worrying about the person you look after.
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 Newcastle upon Tyne offer round the clock support, including specialist dementia care.
Newcastle Carers supports unpaid carers across the city with information, groups and help planning breaks. Newcastle City Council can also carry out a carer’s assessment.
Local support, NHS and funding in Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle City Council is responsible for adult social care in Newcastle upon Tyne. Ask them for a needs assessment for the person you care for and a carer’s assessment for yourself. If you are eligible, the council may arrange or help pay for respite, usually after a financial assessment, and some families use direct payments to arrange care themselves. Visit the Newcastle City Council website.
If your loved one’s needs are mainly health related, ask their GP or social worker about NHS continuing healthcare, which is arranged and paid for by the NHS. The NHS guide to carer breaks and respite care also sets out the options.
Benefits can help with the cost. Attendance Allowance is not means tested and is paid to people over State Pension age who need help with care, and Carer’s Allowance may be available if you care for 35 hours a week or more. 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 Newcastle upon Tyne
Before you book, check the provider’s latest inspection report from the CQC and ask about availability, the minimum length of stay and what is included in the price. Short stay places in Newcastle upon Tyne 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.
