Personal care
Gentle help with washing, dressing, medication, meals and mobility. Everyday living, with dignity.
Learn more about Personal care
Home care in Croydon & Bromley
Respite care: because carers need care too
Respite care gives family carers across Croydon and Bromley a real break (a few hours each week, a long weekend, or full holiday cover) while a trained, DBS-checked carer keeps your loved one’s routines, meals and medication exactly as they should be at home. You rest properly; they stay comfortable in familiar surroundings.
- CQC rated “Good” (opens in a new tab)Across all five areas
- 5.0 on Google5 out of 5. 55 reviews
- NHS-listed (opens in a new tab)Trusted since 2019
- Carers we employDBS-checked, not agency
Is this right for you?
Who is respite care for?
- Family carers who cannot remember their last proper day off
- Sons and daughters covering care alongside work and children
- Anyone needing cover for a holiday, an operation or an emergency
- Families wanting to try home care gently before committing long-term
- Spouses caring around the clock who need a few regular hours to themselves
- Families who want every routine kept exactly the same while they step away
What we help with
What’s included
- Cover from a few hours to several weeks, planned or last-minute
- Every routine kept: meals, medication, hobbies, bedtime
- Personal care and mobility support to the same standard as ongoing care
- Companionship so the day feels pleasant, not just supervised
- Dementia-aware carers when familiarity matters most
- A written handover so you come home to no surprises
A day with us
What respite care looks like day to day
Respite care gives the person the support they are used to while their main carer, usually a husband, wife, son, or daughter, takes a proper break. That break might be a planned holiday, a few hours each week to breathe, or urgent cover when a family carer is suddenly ill or called away. Whatever the reason, the aim is the same: the family carer gets to step back and recharge, and the person at home barely feels a change in their day. We can provide respite as regular visits through the week or as live-in cover for a run of days, and we work hard to keep everything familiar, following the same routines, the same mealtimes, and the same small comforts the regular carer has built up. Handing over the care of someone you love is not easy, so we take time to learn exactly how things are done before the break begins.
- A planned breakA planned break for the family carer, from a few hours a week to a fortnight away.
- Emergency coverShort-notice and emergency cover when a carer is unwell or suddenly called away.
- The same routineThe same daily routine kept going: washing, dressing, meals, and medication on time.
- Company & activityCompany and gentle activity, so the time is enjoyed rather than simply supervised.
- Visits or live-inRespite at home as regular visits, or live-in cover for a run of days and nights.
- A careful handoverA careful handover first, so we follow the routine and preferences already in place.
- Updates while awayRegular updates to the family while they are away, as often as they would like.
- A written noteA written note back to the family on how the time went, ready for when they return.
We keep you in the picture
A break only does its job if the family carer can genuinely relax, and that depends on trusting that things are handled and that they will hear if they are needed. So we agree beforehand exactly how much contact you want while you are away: a daily message, a quick call if anything comes up, or simply a full written handover for when you are back. If something changes during the break, an off day, a minor illness, a question about medication, we deal with it calmly and let you know in the way we agreed, without turning your time off into a stream of worried phone calls. Everything is recorded, so nothing is lost between us and you. And because respite so often becomes the gentle first step into regular help, the same familiar carers can simply continue if that is what the family decides, with no need to explain everything again to someone new.
The same familiar faces
The point of respite is that the family carer can actually switch off, which only happens if they trust the people stepping in. So we keep respite carers as consistent as we can, employ them directly, and DBS-check and train every one of them. Before a planned break we sit down to learn the routine in detail: how the day flows, what helps, what to avoid, and who to call if something changes. During the break we keep in touch as much or as little as the family wants, and we write up how each day has gone so nothing is lost in the handover back. If respite goes well and the family later wants regular help, the same team can simply carry on, so there is no starting again with strangers. And there is always an on-call line, so even on their break the family knows a real person is only a phone call away.
Getting started
How care begins
1
Call us
A friendly chat about what would help, no scripts, no pressure.
2
Free home visit
We meet you at home, listen properly and shape a plan together.
3
Care begins
Your carers are introduced in person, often within days.
Independently regulated
Inspected and rated by the Care Quality Commission
The CQC is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. They inspected us across five areas, and rated us “Good” in every one, our current published rating.
- Safe
- Effective
- Caring
- Responsive
- Well-led
Fabulous Homecare Ltd
“We have been using Fabulous Homecare for about two years. The management and staff are truly kind and professional — exceptional in understanding our needs and caring with their hearts.”
Your questions answered
Respite care: common questions
How much does respite care cost?
From £26 an hour, with the first home visit free. If you receive Carer's Allowance or your loved one has a council care package, respite is often partly funded. Our funding guide explains where to start.
Can you take over at short notice?
Often yes. Emergencies are exactly when respite matters most. Call us on 07575 298602 and we will tell you straight away what we can cover and how quickly.
Will my husband accept a stranger caring for him?
We arrange an introduction visit first, learn his routines and preferences from you in detail, and send the same carer each time wherever possible. Most families tell us the 'stranger' becomes a welcome friend within a visit or two.
Is it selfish to want a break?
No, it is necessary. Carers who never rest burn out, and then two people need care instead of one. Taking a proper break is one of the most caring things you can do for both of you.
Last reviewed July 2026 · Reviewed by Roseline Fazal Masih, Registered Manager · Registered Nurse
You might also be looking for
Companionship
A friendly face, conversation and a helping hand: company that brightens the whole day.
Learn more about CompanionshipLet’s talk about the care you need
A friendly chat with someone local who understands. We’ll listen first, then help you decide what’s right for your family.
Free home visit, no obligation. Prefer email? enquiries@fabuloushomecare.co.uk