A short stay that does a lot of good
Respite is a stay of a few days to a few weeks, with everything a permanent resident has. Families come to it for three reasons.
A break for the person caring
Looking after a parent or partner at home is tiring in a way that does not show. A fortnight with us lets the carer rest, go on holiday, or simply sleep, knowing the person is safe and well looked after.
After a hospital stay
The gap between being discharged and being able to manage at home again is where things go wrong. A few weeks here, with help on hand and proper meals, bridges it. Families near Colchester Hospital use us this way.
A trial before deciding
A care home is a big decision, and a brochure cannot settle it. A short stay shows you and your relative what life here is really like. A good number of our permanent residents started with one.
Exactly what a permanent resident gets
There is no respite wing and no second-class room. Your relative has a single room of their own, eats what everyone else eats at the same laid tables, joins in whatever is going on, and is looked after by the same staff who look after everyone. Bring their own things, even for a short stay. A familiar photograph on the bedside table makes a real difference on the first night.
- A single room of their own, fully furnished
- All meals, cooked in our own kitchen
- Personal care, laundry and activities included
- Staff on site 24 hours a day
- Dementia support where a residential setting is right
Stronvar welcomed Mum for respite at first and then as a permanent resident. She was not sure about going into a care home, and neither was I. However, all the staff love Mum as though she were one of their own.
How to book respite at Stronvar
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1
Ring us with the dates
Tell us roughly when and for how long. We will say what is free, and if nothing is, when it will be.
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2
A short assessment
We meet your relative, talk with you, and read anything the GP or hospital has provided, so we are sure we can look after them well.
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3
Arrive and settle
Bring their own things and their medication. The staff take it from there, and you are welcome to visit at any reasonable hour.
Respite care is £237.50 a day, which includes the room, all meals, personal care, laundry, activities and 24 hour staffing. Day care, for days with us and home in the evening, is £125 a day. Both are in the brochure and fee sheet.
Questions families ask about respite
How far ahead do we need to book a respite stay?
It depends on which rooms are free. Ring 01206 304007 and we will tell you straight away what is available and when. Where we can help at short notice, for instance after a hospital discharge, we will.
How long can a respite stay be?
From a few days to several weeks. Some families book a regular fortnight each year so the person caring at home gets a proper break. Others need a month while a hip mends. We will fit the stay to what you need, as far as the rooms allow.
What does respite cost?
£237.50 a day, with everything a permanent resident receives: the room, all meals, personal care, laundry, activities and 24 hour staffing. The full fee sheet is in our brochure.
Can a respite stay become permanent?
Yes, and it often does. A short stay is the most honest trial there is. If your relative settles and the family agrees, we simply talk about a permanent room. Nobody is pushed either way.
Will Social Services pay for respite?
Sometimes. If you care for someone at home you can ask Essex County Council for a carer's assessment, and respite can be part of the support that follows. We deal with this every week and will point you at the right person. Our funding guide explains how it works.
Want the longer version? Read our guide to respite care.
We also offer
Come and see Stronvar for yourself
Twenty minutes here will tell you more than any website. Come and meet Peter and the team, have a cup of tea, and see an ordinary afternoon for yourself.
Or ring 01206 304007, any hour of any day.