Compass is still being developed and is effectively in beta. Some content and features may be incomplete, change, or not work as expected.

Content is anchored to trusted sources where available, but Compass has not yet been clinically reviewed. It provides general information rather than medical advice.

Feedback helps us identify gaps, errors, usability problems and opportunities to improve Compass over time.

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Care and support systems

Respite

Arranged care that gives the person doing most of the caring a break.

What it means

It can be someone coming in for a few hours, a day service, or a longer stay elsewhere. It is for the carer as much as for the person cared for, and it can be arranged as a routine or at short notice.

Why you might hear it

  • Services expect to be asked, and carers are often reluctant to.
  • What is available and who pays differs greatly by country.

People who may help

Where Compass goes into this

About this explanation

These are plain explanations of words you may come across, not advice about your own situation. Where a word matters to a decision, the question pages go into it properly, and your own team is the place to take it.