Has anybody ever been in a respite house?

[35mm]

My psychiatrist and CPN want me to go into one but i'm terrified because I know nothing about them. What are they like? How long do you stay? What do they do there?

[Bellatrix]

I was offered this when I was in crisis. It's just like a supported housing establishment, with 24hour staff but more freedom than hospital.

Some places offer group activities and taking therapies, others don't.

Cna you ask for more info on the place you'ld be going to before you make the choice.

[Poppet6]

I've been in one twice, average duration was 1 week.

It was a converted terrace house in a normal residential street, I had my own bedsit room with en-suite, there was a shared lounge and kitchen, there was only 6 rooms.

There was one member of staff on duty at all times - 24 hours.

You could go into the office and chat to the member of staff whenever you felt the need, they werent trained in anything but it was good to know they were there.

You were allowed to go out whenever you wanted aslong as you told the staff where you were going and what time you would be back, if you were going to be late you had to ring them.

The curfew was 10.30pm every night.

It was nice and relaxing and much more preferrable than a hospital setting.

I would definately recommend it.

[whirlpools]

I haven't been one but have visited one. It was similar to the above experience. Stay was one week-ish, a community hospital in a residential area, with OT stuff going on but they recommended you retained your usual social activities, unless they were none maybe. Get your own room but ours doesn't have en-suite, it's nice though, like a little guesthouse thing, I think with two-ish staff on 24 hours. If i has to choose I would choose this over an acute ward.

[Ami]

I went in one for a few hours until crisis put me in hospital.

It reminded me of an old persons care home but not quite, lol. I think its like a 'halfway-house' between hospital and community; less intensive treatment than hospital but with support people about.