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What is Respite Care?
An estimated 44 million caregivers in America provide long-term care to family members. Estimates also predict that the amount of people aged 65 and older will increase by a factor of four in the next thirty years.
With institution-based care ranging from $3000 to $7000 a month, depending on insurance coverage and level of care needed, more and more family members and friends will be taking on the full-time caregiver role.
Anybody can tell you that you can’t care for someone 24/7/365 without a break. When someone is relying on you for everything, it can be very easy to get caregiver stress, which can spiral into caregiver depression.
Caregivers have to deal with so many different emotions, often on top of other concerns. It is imperative that caregivers take care of themselves too, if they are to continue to be able to give 100 percent to their loved one’s care.
That’s what respite care for elderly parents or loved ones, and respite care for children with disabilities, provides -- an opportunity for a caregiver to take a break, refresh, recharge, or look after things (e.g., groceries or prescription refills) that simply can’t be done from home.
How does Respite Care for the Elderly Help?
Respite care for elderly parents, family members or friends can take the form of in-home care services or in an adult day center. With in-home care services, the help comes to you and provides your loved one with companionship, activity supervision, assistance with bathing, dressing, exercising, homemaker needs, and medication management.
The easiest way to make this transition, especially for those who have dementia or other emotional issues, is to arrange for the respite care worker to visit and participate in activities or caregiving while you are there.
Give your loved one a chance to grow accustomed to the respite care aide and vice versa. You may wish to arrange respite care through an in-home care agency, or with other family members, friends or church volunteers.
With an adult day center, your loved one is cared for outside the home. An adult day center is a safe environment where trained staff leads planned activities. Transportation services and meals are usually provided by the center.
What is Respite Care for Children?
Though caregiving is usually associated with the elderly, parents of children with mental or physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy, autism, or chronic or terminal illnesses can also benefit from respite care.
“All parents need a break now and then, to have time for themselves away from the responsibilities of caring for their children. This is true for families of children with disabilities or chronic health care needs too ... Respite care is an essential part of the overall support that families may need to keep their child with a disability or chronic illness at home.” (NICHCY)
Usually, parents are responsible for finding their own respite worker, but certified respite care agencies can help find qualified respite care workers. In some places, local hospitality services such as hotels have teamed up with respite care agencies to allow parents a free weekend of accommodation.
“Since not all families have the same needs, respite care should always be geared to individual family needs ... the emphasis should be on orienting the services toward the entire family.” (NICHCY)
Respite care, whether for elderly loved ones or for children with disabilities or illnesses, can provide family members with time for relaxation and to enjoy activities they don’t normally partake in. It can offer stability and preservation of the family unit, and opportunity for involvement in the community to ward off feelings of isolation. It can allow time off and enrichment, as family members can participate in activities for their benefit.
Studies show that about 20 percent of family caregivers will experience caregiver depression. It is important that family caregivers recognize the need to take care of their own health, and investigate and take advantage of respite care opportunities, for the sake of their own emotional and physical wellbeing, as well as that of the people they care for.
Sources:
Elderly Caregiving: Choices, Challenges, and Resources for the Family. University of California, San Francisco Medical Center. Web. Jan 27, 2012. http://ucsfhr.ucsf.edu/index.php/assist/article/elderly-caregiving-choices-challenges-and-resources-for-the-family
Caregiving Info & Advice. Family Caregiver Alliance National Center on Caregiving. Web. Jan 27, 2012. http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=344
Respite Care for the Elderly is Important for Family Caregivers. SeniorHomes.com. Web. Jan 27, 2012. http://www.seniorhomes.com/p/respite-care-elderly
Respite Care. Alzheimer’s Association. Web. Jan 27, 2012. http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_respite_care.asp
Respite Care. Eldercare.gov (Department of Health and Human Services). Web. Jan 27, 2012. http://www.eldercare.gov/Eldercare.NET/Public/Resources/Factsheets/Respite_Care.aspx
Respite Care. National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY). Web. Jan 27, 2012. http://nichcy.org/wp-content/uploads/docs/nd12.pdf
Respite Program for Children. Rhode Island Department of Human Services. Web. Jan 27, 2012. http://www.dhs.ri.gov/ChildrenwithSpecialNeeds/CEDARRFamilyCenters/RespiteProgram/tabid/897/Default.aspx
Family Support / Respite. United Cerebral Palsy. Web. Jan 27, 2012. http://affnet.ucp.org/ucp_channeldoc.cfm/1/11/51/51-51/2106
Reviewed January 27, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith
Add a Comment2 Comments
Another wonderful resource to help you find respite services is the ARCH National Respite Locator Service. It is free to all family caregivers looking for respite at www.respitelocator.org. The ARCH page also provides links to your State Lifespan Respite Program or a State Respite Coalition if it has one. For contact information, visit www.archrespite.org.
January 28, 2012 - 3:57pmThis Comment
Thank you for sharing the link!
January 29, 2012 - 5:03amThis Comment