Respite Care, also known as temporary care, or temporary respite services, is a short-term, temporary nursing care service. Its primary purpose is to allow the primary family caregiver a period of rest, a temporary respite from the heavy burden of caregiving responsibilities, allowing them to "catch their breath." It's a "recharge time" for you as the caregiver. Caring for a disabled, elderly, disabled, or chronically ill family member long-term is a tremendous challenge, both physically and psychologically. Respite Care is a service that exists to support these unsung heroes.

暫宿護理，也稱為喘息照顧、臨時照護或暫託服務，是一種短暫的、暫時性的照護服務。它的主要目的是讓主要的家庭照顧者能夠獲得一段休息時間，暫時從繁重的照護責任中解脫出來，從而「喘息」一下。它是您作為照顧者的「充電時間」。長期照顧失能、年老、殘疾或患有慢性病的家人，無論是身體上還是心理上，都是一項巨大的挑戰。暫宿護理就是為了支持這些無名的英雄而存在的服務。

Respite Care is not abandoning responsibility, but rather a "wisely pause". It acknowledges the caregiver's hardship and limits, and through a professional support system, allows the long road of family care to be navigated more smoothly and sustainably. If you or someone you know is a family caregiver, please be sure to understand and make good use of this valuable service.

暫宿護理不是放棄責任，而是一種「智慧的暫停」。它承認照顧者的辛勞與極限，並透過專業的支援系統，讓家庭照顧這條漫長的路能夠走得更加平穩、長久。 如果您或您認識的人正在擔任家庭照顧者，請務必了解並善用這項寶貴的服務。

Respite Care primarily serves two groups of people 暫宿護理主要服務兩類人：

Care recipient 被照顧者：

• Elderly individuals with dementia (such as Alzheimer's disease) 失智症長者（如阿茲海默症）
• Elderly or sick individuals with physical disabilities 身體失能的老人或病人
• Persons with disabilities (including children and adults) 身心障礙者（包括兒童與成人）
• Children with special needs (such as autism, developmental delays) 有特殊需求的兒童（如自閉症、發展遲緩）
• Severely ill or terminally ill patients 重症或末期病人

Caregivers 照顧者：

• Family members of these individuals, such as spouses, children, parents, etc., who are the primary caregivers responsible for long-term care.
  被照顧者的家屬，例如配偶、子女、父母等，他們是長期、主要負責照護工作的人。

Respite Care is highly flexible and can provide different forms of service based on the family's needs:

暫宿護理非常彈性，可以根據家庭的需求提供不同形式的服務：

1. Home-based Respite Care 居家式暫宿護理服務：
   Trained caregivers or nurses provide in-home services, accompanying the person being cared for in a familiar environment and assisting with meals, medication, personal hygiene, and simple activities.
   受過訓練的照護員或護理師到府服務，在熟悉的環境中陪伴被照顧者，協助用餐、服藥、個人衛生、簡單活動等。
   Advantages 優點：
   The person being cared for does not need to change environments, reducing adaptation difficulties. 被照顧者不用改變環境，減少適應困難。
   
2. Institutional Respite Care 機構式暫宿護理服務:
   The person being cared for is temporarily placed in a qualified care facility, such as a nursing home, long-term care center, or disability welfare institution, for a pre-arranged period of time (ranging from a few hours to several weeks).
   將被照顧者暫時送到合格的照護機構，如護理之家、長期照護中心、身心障礙福利機構等，居住一段預先安排的時間（從幾小時到幾週不等）。
   Advantages 優點：
   Caregivers can obtain a longer period of complete rest, such as for long-distance travel or handling personal matters. 照顧者可以獲得較長時間的完整休息，例如出遠門或處理個人事務。
   
3. Day care center Respite Care 日間照顧中心暫宿護理服務：
   Similar to "elderly care homes" or "day care centers for people with disabilities." Caregivers drop off family members at the center during the day and pick them up in the evening.
   類似「安老院」或「身心障礙者日間照顧中心」。照顧者在白天將家人送到中心，晚上接回。
   Advantages 優點：
   The person being cared for can participate in social activities at the center, while caregivers can work or rest normally during the day. 被照顧者可以在中心參與社交和活動，照顧者則能在白天正常工作或休息。
   
4. Community-based Respite Care 社區式暫宿護理服務：
   These provide temporary care at community activity centers, sometimes for only a few hours, allowing caregivers to see a doctor, go shopping, or simply relax.
   在社區的活動據點提供臨托服務，可能只有幾小時，讓照顧者能去看醫生、購物或簡單放鬆。

• Planned Rest 計劃性休息：
  Caregivers need to have health checkups, attend family or friends' weddings, or take short trips. 照顧者需要進行健康檢查、參加親友婚禮、短期旅行。
  
• Emergency Situations 緊急狀況：
  Caregivers may suddenly fall ill or have an accident, requiring temporary assistance. 照顧者自己突然生病或發生意外，需要臨時有人接手。
  
• Regular Breaks 日常小歇：
  A few hours each week are allocated for caregivers to exercise, watch movies, dine with friends, or relax. 每週固定幾個小時，讓照顧者可以去運動、看電影、與朋友聚餐，轉換心情。

We cllaborate closely with various elderly care homes in Hong Kong and Mainland China to provide cross-border temporary care services for elderly people in Hong Kong, covering locations including:

南丁格爾居家康護與本港及內地多家不同的安老院舍緊密合作，為本港長者提供粵港兩地跨境暫宿護理服務，地點涵蓋：

• Hk Island: Wan Chai
  港島：灣仔
• Kowloon: Wong Tai Sin
  九龍：黃大仙
• New Territories: Tseung Kwan O, Tsuen Wan
  新界：將軍澳、荃灣

Greater Bay Area 大灣區

• Shenzhen: Baoan, Daipengxinqu
  深圳：寶安、大鵬新區
• Zhongshan: Shiqi Subdistrict, Xiqu Subdistrict
  中山：石岐街道、西區
• Foshan: Nanhai District
  佛山：南海區
• Huizhou: Huicheng District
  惠州：惠城區