Respite care and short stays: a trial before you commit

Choosing a care home · 3 min read · Last updated 30 October 2026

A short stay in a care home is a temporary place, from a few days to a few weeks. Families use short stays to give a carer a break, to cover a holiday or an emergency, to help someone recover after illness, or to try a home before a permanent move. This is especially useful when a relative is moving to a new country.

What a short stay is

Bupa describes respite care as a temporary stay in a care home that supports both the carer and the person being cared for, and includes 24-hour care. If the person is recovering from an operation or hospital stay, it may be called convalescent care. Some homes also offer day care, where someone spends the day and returns home in the evening.

Not every home offers short stays, and the name varies. Ask directly whether a home takes short-stay residents and how long a stay can last.

Who a short stay suits

  • Family carers who need a break or time to deal with other things.
  • Cover while a carer is on holiday, or in an emergency.
  • Someone recovering from illness or surgery who needs extra support.
  • Someone considering a permanent move who wants to test the home first.
  • Someone who is lonely and would benefit from time around other people.

Using a short stay as a trial

A short stay lets your relative try the home and lets you see the care at first hand. It is also a way to find out whether the climate, food and language suit them. Before you start:

  • Agree the dates, the price and what is included in writing.
  • Ask what happens if your relative wants to stay longer, or to leave early.
  • Give the home a clear picture of your relative: likes and dislikes, routines, food and drink, bedtime and hobbies.
  • Bring familiar items such as photos, a favourite blanket or chair cushion.
  • Ask who the key contact is, and how and when staff will update you.
  • Visit during the stay, at different times, and ask your relative how they feel.
  • Ask whether a short stay guarantees a permanent place later, or whether you would join the waiting list.

How to arrange one

  • Contact several homes and ask whether they take short stays and how far ahead you need to book.
  • Ask for the daily price, which may be higher than the monthly equivalent, and for any registration or deposit.
  • Ask whether public support is available. Funding rules differ by country, and in many countries short stays are paid privately. See our guide to care home costs.
  • If a relative is travelling from abroad, check healthcare cover and any medication needs. See moving a parent abroad.

Browse care homes and contact the ones near the area you are considering. Our visit checklist works for short-stay visits too.

Frequently asked questions

How long can a short stay last?

It varies by home. Some take a few days, others a few weeks, and some will extend if there is room. Ask each home for its minimum and maximum.

Is respite care paid for by the state?

That depends on the country and the person. In many places short stays are paid privately, though some public systems offer support after an assessment. Ask the home and the local social services.

Can a short stay turn into a permanent place?

Sometimes, if the home has space and a full assessment agrees it suits your relative. Ask in advance, and do not assume it.

Sources and further reading

This guide is general information only, compiled from the public sources listed above as of the date shown. It is not legal, medical, tax, financial or care advice, and we cannot guarantee that it is complete, accurate or up to date. Rules, thresholds and prices change and differ by country and region, and some sources describe other countries' rules as examples. Check details with the authorities and care homes named, and take professional advice for your own situation before you act. If you spot an error, please email [email protected] and we will correct it.