Support When Family Carers Need a Break
Dementia Respite Care in Christchurch & Tauranga
Caring for someone living with dementia can be exhausting. Our in-home dementia respite care in Christchurch and Tauranga provides temporary support so family carers can rest while their loved one remains safe and comfortable at home.
The Hidden Crisis of Dementia Care
Caring for a loved one living with dementia is one of the most challenging responsibilities a family can take on. Many families manage everything themselves for months or years before reaching a point where they urgently need support.
- Physical exhaustion from providing daily care
- Emotional stress and constant worry
- Difficulty leaving the house or taking time away
- Fear about leaving your loved one alone
- Guilt about needing help
This is where dementia respite care can make a real difference.
Instead of moving your loved one into a facility temporarily, respite care at home allows them to remain in familiar surroundings while receiving compassionate support.
What Is Dementia Respite Care?
Dementia respite care provides short-term support for people living with dementia, allowing family carers to take a break while ensuring their loved one receives compassionate care. At Home Carers, respite care is provided in the comfort of the person’s own home, helping maintain routine, familiarity, and dignity.
Our dementia respite carers can help with:
- Companionship and supervision
- Meal preparation and hydration
- Medication reminders
- Personal routines and daily structure
- Light household tasks
- Emotional reassurance
Families receive regular updates and communication, so you remain informed while taking the time you need.
0800 227 686
Who Is Dementia Respite Care For?
people living with Alzheimer’s disease
People living with Parkinson’s disease or neurological conditions
Individuals with vascular dementia
Older adults experiencing memory loss or cognitive decline
Respite care is also ideal when family caregivers need temporary support due to travel, illness, or exhaustion. Our carers step in to maintain routines, provide companionship, and ensure your loved one remains comfortable and supported.
0800 227 686
Why In-Home Dementia Respite Care Often Works Better Than Residential Respite
Families often ask whether respite care is better at home or in a residential facility.
For many people living with dementia, remaining at home is the more reassuring option.
Familiar surroundings, established routines, and one-to-one support can help reduce confusion and distress during a respite period.
- Care in familiar surroundings
- Less disruption to routines
- One-to-one personalised support
- Reduced confusion and anxiety
- Greater comfort and reassurance
- Temporary stay in an unfamiliar environment
- New routines and new staff
- Shared care setting
- Can feel unsettling for some people living with dementia
For many families, in-home dementia respite care offers a calmer, more stable alternative to residential respite, especially when continuity, familiarity, and emotional reassurance matter most.
0800 227 686
Packages and Pricing
Final pricing depends on the level of care required, hours per day, and complexity of support.
Our dementia care is structured as a weekly package rather than hourly care which allows us to: provide consistent, familiar carers; Maintain stable routines (critical for dementia); and Remove the stress of tracking hours or unexpected changes Packages are based on a level of support, not exact hourly usage, ensuring reliable and uninterrupted care.
Short Respite Care
20-30 hrs/week-
Flexible support across the week
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Dementia-trained carers only
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Personal care, meals, and companionship
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Routine-based support to reduce confusion
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Daily updates for family peace of mind
Standard Respite
30-40 hrs/week-
6–8 hours of care per day
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Support with behaviour, memory, and routine
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Personal care, meal preparation, and companionship
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Priority carer matching for consistency
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Ongoing communication and updates
Extended Respite
40+ hrs/week-
Maximum Support
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Structured daily routine and advanced dementia support
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Consistent carers to reduce disruption
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Higher-level personal care and monitoring
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Focus on safety, comfort, and wellbeing
Weekend and Public Holiday Care
To ensure continuity of care and fair compensation for carers, support delivered across weekends and public holidays may result in a slightly higher weekly investment.
This is based on the level of care required across the week and will always be clearly outlined and agreed with you before care begins.
Overnight Dementia Care
Overnight support can be added to any respite package when families would feel more comfortable having someone present during the night.
This is particularly helpful for people living with dementia who may wake overnight or require reassurance. Please note that overnight sleepover support applies where carers are not routinely required to wake; if ongoing or frequent assistance is needed throughout the night, care will be provided on an hourly (waking night) basis.
Overnight Sleepover Care
A carer stays overnight and is available if assistance is required.
Pricing
1–7 nights $349 per night + GST
7–14 nights $329 per night + GST
14+ nights $315 per night + GST
Weekends & Public Holidays
Overnight support delivered across weekends and public holidays may result in a slightly higher per-night investment, reflecting the level of support required and ensuring fair compensation for carers.
This will always be clearly outlined and agreed with you before care begins.
Our Dementia Trained Carers
Families often ask about the experience and training of our carers.
- have experience working with dementia and neurological conditions
- complete dementia-specific training courses
- receive ongoing training and professional development
- are carefully screened and police checked
- are selected for empathy, patience, and reliability
Training is ongoing to ensure carers continue improving their skills and confidence in supporting people living with dementia.
Why Families Trust Home Carers
Choosing someone to care for a loved one living with dementia is a deeply personal decision. Families want to know that their loved one will be treated with patience, dignity, and genuine care.
At Home Carers, we focus on providing compassionate, reliable in-home care that families can trust.
Experienced Dementia Carers
Our carers have experience supporting people living with dementia and related neurological conditions. Carers selected for dementia support have completed relevant dementia training and continue to develop their skills through ongoing education.
Carefully Screened and Selected
Every carer working with Home Carers is carefully screened before joining our team. This includes background checks, interviews, and reference checks to ensure they meet our standards of professionalism and empathy.
Consistency and Continuity
Whenever possible, we aim to provide familiar carers so your loved one can build a comfortable relationship with the people supporting them.
Consistency helps reduce confusion and anxiety for people living with dementia.
Clear Communication With Families
Families receive regular updates through our communication system so you always know how your loved one is doing.
We believe good communication creates peace of mind.
Care in the Comfort of Home
Remaining at home allows many people living with dementia to feel more relaxed and secure. Familiar surroundings help maintain routine and independence.
Local Support You Can Rely On
Home Carers has been supporting families since 2014.
We provide in-home respite care across Christchurch and Tauranga, helping families access reliable support when they need it most.
Need Dementia Respite Care?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or planning time away, we’re here to help.
Speak with our team about dementia respite care in Christchurch and how we can support your family.
0800 227 686
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FAQS
What is dementia respite care?
Dementia respite care is short-term care provided to someone with dementia so their usual caregiver can take a break. During this time, trained carers look after the person and help with tasks such as personal care, meal preparation, companionship, mobility support, medication reminders, and light housekeeping.
How long can respite care last?
Respite care can last for different lengths of time depending on the family’s needs. It may be arranged for:
A few hours
Overnight
Several days or weeks
Is dementia respite care available in Tauranga?
Yes. Respite care services are available in Tauranga as well as Christchurch, and they can include hourly, daily, overnight, or live-in support depending on the situation.
How quickly can respite care start?
In many cases, care can be arranged within 24 hours, especially for urgent requests in Christchurch and Tauranga.
Is overnight dementia care available?
Yes. The service provides overnight and even 24/7 respite care, allowing families to have extended rest while their loved one receives support at home.
What services are included in dementia respite care?
Yes. The service provides overnight and even 24/7 respite care, allowing families to have extended rest while their loved one receives support at home.
How much does dementia respite care cost in New Zealand?
Dementia respite care can include companionship, meal preparation, medication reminders, supervision, and support with daily routines. Care is tailored to each individual’s needs.
Can dementia care be provided at home instead of moving to a care facility?
Yes, many people living with dementia can continue living at home with the right support. In-home care helps maintain independence while ensuring safety and comfort.
What’s the difference between dementia respite care and rest home care?
Dementia respite care at home allows your loved one to stay in familiar surroundings, while rest home care involves moving into a facility. Many families prefer in-home care as it reduces confusion and stress.
Are your carers trained in dementia care?
Yes, carers providing dementia support have relevant experience and training. Ongoing education ensures they understand how to support memory loss, behaviours, and changing needs.
Is dementia respite care suitable for early and advanced stages?
Yes, respite care can support people at all stages of dementia, from early memory challenges to more advanced care needs.
Do you provide short-term dementia care for holidays or breaks?
Yes, many families use respite care when they are travelling, need a break, or require temporary support during busy periods.
0800 227 686