Looking after someone 2017, Northern Ireland | Page 16

Taking a break
Caring for someone can be a full-time job so breaks
are vital to your own wellbeing and quality of life.
There are different ways in which
you may take a break as a carer.
Only you will know what type of
break is best for you. You may need
an hour each week, a day here and
there, a week or two for a holiday,
or a combination of all of these.
Think about the kind of break that
you need as a carer and what kind
of alternative care the person you
are looking after needs.

16

There are different options for getting alternative care (often called
respite care) for the person you
are looking after whilst you take a
break:
• getting help from the social
services department via
assessments (see p13–14)

“Catch up on sleep and give
yourself time to think. When
you’re caring there are often
complex emotions to deal
with and feelings of loss.
There is no right way to use
your time, just be gentle on
yourself.”

Looking after someone

• arranging care yourself (see p11)
• support from friends or family
• some organisations provide
break services for carers or for
the person being looked after
(or both)
If you want to go on holiday, either
alone or with the person you are
looking after, there may be some
help you could get towards the
cost. You could see if there are any
local grants or schemes to help
carers with the cost of a holiday
and you could have a look through
the list of organisations in our
taking a break factsheet.
Find out more at
carersuk.org/ni/break

“It took years before I was
able to consider respite for my
daughter. Eventually after a
difficult episode I gave in and
accepted. Years on I now know
I need that complete break
each year. I come back with
my batteries recharged and
more able to cope.”

carersni.org