At Home Respite for Unpaid Carers
At Home Respite for Unpaid Carers
Caring for someone with dementia or memory difficulties can be rewarding, but having some time for yourself is important too.
Our free At Home Respite service, funded by Powys County Council, provides short-term support in the home of the person you care for, giving you the opportunity to take a break while they remain in familiar surroundings.
A respite worker can provide companionship, reassurance and practical support, such as preparing a light meal, helping with everyday tasks or providing reminders and prompts.
You might use your respite time to attend an appointment, go shopping, see family or friends, enjoy an activity, or simply have some time to rest and recharge. The support is planned around what matters to you and the person you care for.
The free service is available to eligible unpaid carers in the Welshpool and Montgomery locality who care for an adult with dementia, suspected dementia, or memory and cognitive difficulties. A formal dementia diagnosis is not required.
Not sure whether the service is right for you? Please get in touch with Age Cymru Powys on 01686 623707 or email enquiries@acpowys.org.uk.
We’ll be happy to talk through your circumstances and explain how we may be able to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is At Home Respite?
At Home Respite provides short-term support in the home of the person you care for. It gives you time to rest, attend appointments, see family or friends, pursue your interests or look after your own health and wellbeing. The person you care for can remain in familiar surroundings while receiving companionship, supervision and agreed practical support.
Who is the service for?
The service is for unpaid carers aged 18 or over who care for an adult who:
- Lives in the Welshpool and Montgomery locality of Powys
- Is registered with a GP practice in Powys
- Has a dementia diagnosis, suspected dementia, or memory and cognitive difficulties
Is there a charge for the service?
No, the service is completely free for eligible carers. The respite is funded by Powys County Council, so there is no charge for your agreed hours. If you would like more support than your Council-funded hours provide, you can also ask us about purchasing additional respite.
How do I access the service?
You can contact Age Cymru Powys directly to ask about the service and register your interest. We will talk to you about your caring situation, explain how the service works and collect the information needed to see whether it may be suitable.
You can also contact Powys County Council’s Assist service if you prefer. Whichever route you choose, the Council will confirm whether you are eligible for the free service. Before respite begins, we will have a friendly conversation with you about your needs and agree the support that would be most helpful.
- Age Cymru Powys: 01686 623707 or enquiries@acpowys.org.uk
- Powys County Council Assist: 0345 602 7050
I only need a few hours to myself. Is this service for me?
Yes. You do not need to be planning a holiday or a long break. The service could give you time to attend an appointment, go shopping, meet someone, take part in an activity or simply rest and recharge. The respite will be planned around what matters to you and the person you care for.
Do I need a Carer’s Assessment?
No. A Carer’s Assessment is recommended, but it is not required to access the service.
What support can a respite worker provide?
Depending on the agreed support plan, a respite worker may provide:
- Companionship and social interaction
- Supervision and reassurance
- Preparation of light meals and drinks
- Light practical help around the home
- Support to eat, drink or use the bathroom independently
- Reminders and prompts, including medication prompting
- Agreed activities that support the person’s wellbeing
The exact support will be discussed and agreed before respite begins.
What can the service not provide?
This is a non-medical, non-personal care service. It cannot provide:
- Washing, dressing or intimate care
- Physical assistance with toileting
- Clinical or nursing care
- Administration of medication
- Support that requires a regulated care provider
If the person’s needs are beyond the scope of the service, we will help identify or refer you to more appropriate support.
Will someone speak to us before respite begins?
Yes. We will speak with you and, where appropriate, the person you care for to understand your circumstances. This will include a “what matters” conversation about the difference you would like the respite to make.
Who will provide the respite?
Support will be provided by trained members of the Age Cymru Powys team.
Are staff checked and trained?
Yes. Our staff undergo safer recruitment checks, including references and Enhanced DBS checks. Training includes:
- Safeguarding
- Dementia awareness and communication
- Lone working and personal safety
- Risk awareness
- Equality and inclusion
- Professional boundaries
- Welsh-language awareness and the Active Offer
Staff also receive ongoing supervision and development.
How much respite can I receive?
There is no set number of hours for every carer. The amount of Council-funded respite available will depend on your circumstances, the support agreed with you, available funding and service capacity. We will explain how many hours are available before your respite begins. If you would like more support than your Council-funded hours provide, you can also ask us about purchasing additional respite.
Will the person I care for have to leave their home?
No. Support is provided in the home of the person you care for, allowing them to remain in familiar surroundings.
Does the person I care for need a formal dementia diagnosis?
No. The person may have a dementia diagnosis, suspected dementia, or memory and cognitive difficulties.
Is the service available in other areas or for other medical conditions?
The free respite service funded by Powys County Council is currently only available in the Welshpool and Montgomery locality.
If you do not qualify for the free service, we may still be able to provide respite through our paid-for Help at Home service, including support for people living with other health conditions.
Our paid-for Help at Home service is currently only available in Newtown, Montgomery and Welshpool. We hope to expand it into other parts of Powys in the future, so let us know if you would be interested in receiving the service in your area.
Please contact us to talk through your circumstances. We will explain which option may be suitable, whether there is a charge and whether support is currently available where you live.
Can you help me find other support?
Yes. If you need support beyond respite, we can help you identify other services and make appropriate referrals. If the needs of the person you care for increase beyond what our respite service can safely provide, we will work with you and relevant organisations to help identify more suitable support.
Age Cymru Powys offers free information and advice for unpaid carers across Powys. Our specialist advisers can check that you and the person you care for are receiving all the benefits, grants and other financial support you may be entitled to, and help you access wider care and support.
Do you offer any other support for people living with dementia and their carers?
Yes. Alongside our respite service, Age Cymru Powys offers Dementia Support for people living with dementia and those supporting them. Our Holistic MOT looks at the key areas that can help someone live well with dementia, including finances and benefit entitlements, health and wellbeing, the home, social connections and planning for the future. We can provide practical information and advice and help you connect with other support where needed. Find out more about our Dementia Support and Holistic MOT
I think this respite service could help me. What should I do next?
Please get in touch with Age Cymru Powys on 01686 623707 or email enquiries@acpowys.org.uk. We will be happy to talk through your situation, answer any questions and explain the next steps.
If the service is right for you, we can help you register your interest and start planning the respite support that would be most helpful for you and the person you care for.
