Opieka wytchnieniowa jako nowe zadanie dla organów samorządu terytorialnego – przegląd dotychczasowej praktyki prawnej

Respite Care as a New Task for Local Government Bodies: A Review of the Legal Practice to Date Respite care, also known as relieving care, is a form of supporting families of people with disabilities that require constant care, especially at home. The purpose of this type of support is to temporarily relieve the family or informal caregivers from the need to perform caring activities, which are then taken over by a specialized entity. It seems to be primarily an instrument of social assistance, and not, as it is sometimes misinter preted, of the healthcare system. The aim of this study is to analyse the current legal status regarding respite care, its place in the legal order and the support system for people with disabilities and their families. First of all, it is based on analysis of the literature as the main research method used. The article analyses the solutions adopted, among others, in the Act on the Solidarity Fund and Programmes titled Respite Care.