Day centres (centros de día) and respite stays for family carers

Terms used

• Centros de día — Centros de día are day centres that give supervised care, therapy and meals during the day.
• Centros de noche — Centros de noche are centres that give supervised care overnight.
• PIA — The PIA is the individual care programme that sets which dependency services a person receives.
• Servicios sociales — Servicios sociales are the regional or town hall social services offices that handle care and support requests.

Key rules

• Public place: A public place mainly comes through the dependency system or your local servicios sociales, and you pay a co-payment.
• Co-payment: The co-payment depends on income, assets and the cost of the place, and each region sets it.
• Private fees: Private centres charge a monthly fee, and transport and extended hours cost extra.
• Respite limits: Public respite stays are capped per year, and each region sets the limit.

What you can use

A day centre gives your relative supervised care during the day, so you can work, rest or run errands. A respite stay is a short time in a care home, so you can take a break or cover an emergency. Both help you keep caring at home for longer.

Day centres usually offer:

• personal care and hygiene
• cognitive and physical therapy and rehabilitation
• social activities and meals
• nursing and psychological support
• often, transport to and from home

Types of centre

Offers vary by region and town. You will usually find these:

• General centros de día for older people.
• Specialised centres for Alzheimer's and other dementias.
• Centres for younger dependent people with disabilities.
• Centros de noche, which give care at night.

Ask each centre which of these it offers and who it accepts.

How to get a public place

The main route is the dependency system. Once your relative is assessed as dependent, their individual care programme (PIA) can assign a day-centre place. You can also ask your regional or town hall servicios sociales whether a place is available.

Your relative then pays a co-payment. It depends on their income, assets and the cost of the place. Each region sets its own rules, so ask servicios sociales for your figure.

How to get a private place

Contact private centres directly. They charge a monthly fee, usually several hundred euros a month. It is higher if you add transport or extended hours. Prices vary by city and centre, so ask for the full monthly fee in writing.

Respite stays in a care home

There are two routes:

• Public: through the dependency system or regional servicios sociales. These are usually short stays of up to a few weeks. They depend on availability and a co-payment. Regions set the yearly limit, often around 30 to 60 days a year.
• Private: book directly with a private residence. Short stays are charged per day. Ask for the daily rate and whether it has a room for your dates.

Book early if you know when you will need a break. Rooms for short stays can be limited.

What to prepare

You will need ID, a medical report and a medication list for the person staying. For the public route you also need proof of dependency or income. The documents list and checklist below cover the details, and the FAQ answers common questions.

Documents you need

• ID of the person who will stay, such as a passport or foreigner's ID card

• A medical report on the person's health, from their doctor

• A current list of the person's medication

• Proof of dependency or of income, for the public route only

Checklist

• Ask your regional or town hall social services whether a public day-centre place is possible through the dependency system.

• Ask how much you would pay as a co-payment, which depends on income, assets and the cost of the place.

• Ask how many days a year a public respite stay can last in your region.

• Gather ID, a medical report and a medication list for the respite stay.

• Ask a private residence for its daily rate and whether it has a room for the dates you need.

Frequently asked questions

Can a day centre take someone with Alzheimer's or dementia?

Yes, there are specialised Alzheimer and dementia day centres, as well as general centres for older people. Ask whether the centre has staff trained for dementia before you choose, because what each centre offers varies by region.

How much does a private day centre cost per month?

A private day centre typically costs several hundred euros a month. The price goes up if you add transport or extended hours, so ask for the full monthly figure with everything included.

How long can my relative stay in a care home for respite?

In the public service, a respite stay is commonly around 30 to 60 days a year, but each region sets its own limit. A private residence charges per day, so you can book the length you need if a room is free.

Is there a day centre for nights, or for younger people with disabilities?

Yes, there are night centres (centros de noche) for night care, and centres for dependent younger people with disabilities. Ask your town hall's social services which of these exist near you.