Respite Care over Christmas and Holidays: Booking Early (2026)

In short: if you want a break over Christmas or another holiday, start asking now. The NHS says it can be hard to find respite in a care home at short notice, but some homes take bookings in advance. If you want the council to help pay, the assessments come first, and they can take time.

Why ask early

• Short notice is hard: the NHS says it can be difficult to get respite in a care home at short notice, and that advance bookings help you plan a holiday.
• Assessments take time: councils only fund respite after assessing the need. Carers UK says there can sometimes be a waiting list for a carer's assessment.
• Services slow down over the holidays: NHS England has warned in past years that GP practices and pharmacies have limited opening hours over Christmas and New Year.

We don't have figures on how busy care homes are at Christmas, so ask each home how much notice it needs.

A simple plan

1. Get assessed, if you want council help

Ask the council for a carer's assessment for you and a needs assessment for the person you look after. The NHS says the needs assessment is useful even if you will pay yourself, because it says which type of respite suits them best. If the council funds the break, it can arrange it, or give you a direct payment to book it yourself.

Direct payments can pay for a short stay in a care home of up to 4 consecutive weeks in any 12-month period. Keep this in mind if you also plan a summer break, because two stays less than 4 weeks apart count together.

2. Shortlist homes and ask about booking

The NHS says some care homes offer temporary places, and some take bookings in advance. When you call, ask:

• What is the minimum length of stay, and how far ahead do you need a booking?
• What does a respite stay cost per week, and what is included?
• Can you meet their care needs, including any dementia or nursing needs?
• What happens over Christmas Day, and can family visit or join a meal?

3. Visit before the stay

Carers UK suggests visiting the care home beforehand if you can, so you can see what it is like and feel reassured. If the person needs specialist medical or nursing help while you are away, it says to arrange this well in advance through their GP.

4. Prepare the handover

Carers UK's checklist for a break:

• Give the carers all the information they need, from mealtimes and favourite food to medicines.
• Leave a list of contacts: the GP, other professionals, nearby family and friends, and your own number.
• Have an emergency plan, and go through it with the people providing care.

Other ways to get a break

A care home is not the only option. The NHS lists help at home from a paid carer for a short period such as a week, sitting services, day centres, and family or friends looking after the person. If the person already uses a day centre or home care agency, ask what cover it offers over the holidays.

Money and benefits

• Age UK says respite services are means-tested, so you or the person you care for may have to contribute. For a short stay of up to 8 weeks, the council may charge as if the person were getting care at home.
• If you get Carer's Allowance, Age UK says you can usually keep it for up to 4 weeks of breaks from caring in any 6 months. The rules are complicated, so check with the Carer's Allowance Unit.
• Attendance Allowance can help pay for respite the person arranges themselves.

For more detail, see our guide to who pays for respite care.

If things go wrong over the holidays

When the council office is closed, Carers UK says there will be an emergency duty team you can contact for urgent help. BCP Council, for example, keeps its line open on all bank holidays, including Christmas Day. For health advice at any time, call NHS 111. If anyone is at immediate risk, call 999.

New to this? Start with what respite care is. For a person with dementia, see dementia respite care.

Related guides

• Respite Care Costs: Weekly Care Home Fees and Who Pays
• Emergency Respite Care: What to Do When a Carer Falls Ill

Sources

• Carers' breaks and respite care (NHS)
• Taking a break (Carers UK)
• Having a carer's assessment (Carers UK)
• Getting help in an emergency (Carers UK)
• Care and support statutory guidance, chapters 8 and 12 (GOV.UK)
• Order your repeat prescriptions in time for the festive season (NHS England, 2022)
• Respite care (Age UK)
• Making arrangements for respite care (Alzheimer's Society)
• Contact the adult social care emergency duty service (BCP Council)