“Your world can feel very small when you’re a carer. Taking a break allows you to step back into the wider world and enjoy some much-rewarded time for yourself. It’s essential to have a break yourself so you can maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The Unpaid Carer

When we take on the role of carer for someone we love, stepping back can sometimes feel like the hardest thing to do. Why is that? Many of the carers we meet at Swarthmore Residential Care Home tell us that they feel guilty because they need time to recuperate. Or they can’t see how to arrange for substitute care. Often breaks for carers are considered a ‘luxury’, rather than an important part of the job.

Thinking Differently About Respite for Carers

A respite break isn’t the same as a holiday. In fact, there are lots of different kinds of breaks for carers, all of which play a role in providing essential time on your own, or with a friend/partner, relaxing, chatting and fulfilling your needs.  We have newly refurbished rooms which are ideal for respite care.

Here are some examples of the kind of breaks you can schedule into your life as a carer:

• Short Breathers. Every day should have a number of these scheduled in. They needn’t be any longer that 5 minutes, but they’re an opportunity for you to look out of the window and breathe or take a walk down to the end of the garden and back.

• Morning/Afternoon Breaks. Ask another member of the family, or someone you trust, to give you chance to take a morning or afternoon off once in a while. It’s easier to do if you schedule it in, and make sure you use the extra time for you.

• Meetups. Sometimes, being able to talk about your experiences with other people who understand, can be hugely beneficial. Carer meetups and support groups share information, offer an opportunity to socialise, and can help you to feel less isolated.

• Respite Breaks. The occasional longer break is a crucial part of your work as a carer. It breaks the routine of caring and gives you both a change from the normal environment. Often, those being cared for benefit as much from respite care as their carer does.

Arranging Respite Breaks:  A respite break involves carers taking a break from caring for a few days, ideally in a new environment. The people they care for will, therefore, need alternative care in a trusted and welcoming environment such as a residential care home. This is a two-part process to arrange:


1. Arranging a Break for a Carer Carers who wish to take a few days away on their own, away from all caring responsibilities, may be worried about budgeting for a holiday.

2. Arranging Respite Care For peace of mind, a residential care home provides the ideal environment for respite care.

The care is provided by professional, trained carers who take time to understand the needs of the people they care for, and work with carers to ensure that all requirements are fully met. Read our testimonials to see how others found respite care at Swarthmore About

Swarthmore Residential Care Home

Swarthmore is an independent care home based in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire. For over 70 years dedicated professional carers have been delivering compassionate, patient-centred care to residents enjoying a respite break. Our residential care home is situated in landscaped grounds, just a short distance from the town centre. Carers at Swarthmore take great pride in both the environment we provide for our 40 residents, and the care we offer. If you are looking for respite care, we would love to show you around our home, so you can experience the relaxed atmosphere for yourself.

At Swarthmore we make breaks for carers easier, by providing the ideal environment for respite care. For an informal chat, or to arrange a visit, call us today on 01753 885663, Option 1.