Home Care Services
Respite Care at Home in Dartford & Kent
What is respite care?
Respite care gives family carers a break while someone else looks after the person they care for. Caring for a loved one can be deeply rewarding, but it can also be physically and emotionally exhausting. Planned breaks help you rest, look after your own health and keep caring for longer, knowing your loved one is in safe hands.
Mission Healthcare provides respite care at home across Dartford and north Kent, so the person you care for can stay in familiar surroundings while you take time for yourself. Our trained carers can step in for a few hours, a regular day each week or longer periods while you go on holiday, attend appointments or recover from illness. Depending on your loved one’s needs, respite can include personal care, companionship or live-in care.
We take time to understand your loved one’s routines, preferences and care needs so the support they receive feels familiar and consistent. Our service is overseen by a UK-qualified doctor and a registered nurse, and we keep you updated so you can truly switch off while you are away.
How our respite carers can help
Our Care Services
Plan Your Respite Care
Talk to our friendly Dartford team about respite care. We will get to know your loved one, understand their routine and arrange care that gives you a well-earned break.
Who is respite care for?
Respite care is for anyone who looks after a partner, parent, relative or friend and needs a break. It can support people caring for someone living with dementia, frailty, a physical disability or a long-term health condition. Many carers use respite regularly, for example one day a week, while others book it for a holiday, a family event or when they need to go into hospital themselves. We will also do our best to help if you need respite at short notice.
Why taking a break matters
Carers often put their own needs last, which can lead to stress, poor sleep and burnout. Regular breaks give you time to rest, see friends, attend your own health appointments or simply enjoy some time for yourself. Respite care can benefit the person you care for too, bringing a fresh face, new conversation and the chance to build a trusting relationship with a carer who could offer extra support in the future.
How to arrange respite care in Dartford
1. Get in touch. Call us on +44 7470 367 720 or send us a message. Tell us when you need a break and a little about the person you care for.
2. Meeting you both. We visit your home to learn about your loved one’s needs, routines, likes and dislikes, and any medication or equipment they use.
3. Your respite care plan. We agree dates, times and the support needed, and introduce the carers who will be visiting.
4. Enjoy your break. Our carers follow the care plan while you are away, and we keep you updated so you can relax.
Getting a carer’s assessment in Kent
If you care for someone, you can ask your local council for a free carer’s assessment, even if the person you care for does not receive support themselves. In Kent, you can request a carer’s assessment to look at how caring affects your life and what support could help, including regular breaks. Kent County Council also has helpful information about taking a break from caring.
Paying for respite care
Respite care can be paid for privately, and we will give you a clear, no-obligation quote. Following a carer’s assessment and a care needs assessment for the person you look after, the council may contribute towards the cost of respite, subject to a financial assessment, or offer direct payments so you can choose your own provider. Some charities offer grants for breaks, and benefits such as Attendance Allowance can be used towards care. We provide respite care in Dartford, Greenhithe, Wilmington, Longfield, Swanley, Crayford, Bexley, Bexleyheath, Erith, Sidcup, Gravesend and Northfleet.
─── Respite Care FAQs
Your Respite Care Questions Answered
Planning a break from caring? Here are answers to the questions carers in Dartford and Kent ask us most often.