What a good break looks like
Caring for someone takes a lot of thought and energy, and breaks are vital for your own wellbeing and quality of life. An opportunity to rest and regain energy, follow interests, catch up with friends or family and generally enjoy time away from your caring role. A break can involve taking time off from some or all of your caring responsibilities, being supported to do an activity with the person you care for, or engage in an activity on your own that provides a distraction from the caring role.
It’s easy to neglect your needs when focusing on those of another, however after a break, it is hoped Carers feel generally better in themselves, recharged, rejuvenated with a more positive outlook to help in coping with challenging circumstances.
However, accessing a Carer break may not immediately seem of benefit and could even heighten stress and anxiety. Every circumstance is different; some find Carer breaks useful straight away, while others may not and it is recognised it takes time to get it right and alternative support and care options may need to be explored and tried along the way if things don’t go well and/or as circumstances and needs change.
Carer breaks can offer a range of benefits for the Carer as mentioned as well as the person being cared for in receiving support from someone else, enjoying new experiences, a change of scene and routine, and meeting other people. Carer breaks can also be used in testing ongoing or future care arrangements, for example as older family Carers.
Accessing a break may also change when the person you are caring for becomes an adult and the nature of the break may evolve as their needs change. This may be unsettling and challenging, especially if you have been in a routine with Carer breaks until this point.