What You Need To Know About Respite Care

Taking care of an elderly person is a tiring and demanding job. If the elderly person is disabled or ill, the challenge goes on another level. Finding respite care for the elderly can provide the caregiver with a much-needed break.

Respite care provides temporary relief to a primary caregiver so they can get a vital break from their caregiving duties. Respite care can be given at home, daycare centers, at residential or nursing facilities that offer overnight stay. You can hire respite care for a few hours, over the night or a few days. Seeking respite care may help ease the burden of duties and responsibilities of the primary caregiver. It may help relieve stress, promote balance in your life or restore energy.

Respite care may help the person getting the care too as they get a change of routine, variety and stimulation that they may need. There is no shame in seeking support as a caregiver as you need a boost of energy every now and then in order to work in your full physical and mental capacity.

Types of respite services

Respite care can be given in many forms. You can enlist your friends and family to care for your loved one or you can find either volunteer or paid carers to come in for some time. Many carers provide respite care services at home. Also, there are assisted living facilities and nursing homes which provide over the night respite care services.

In-home Respite Care

In-home care services can be accessed by paid work or volunteers. A carer may provide services for a few hours or overnight. You can either contact the care provider directly or through an agency. This is a popular respite care choice as it enables your loved ones to remain in their own space receiving care.

• Volunteers may be available from the community, non-profit organizations or even extended family.
• Trained staff from home-care agencies are available
• Personal care providers assist with daily activities such as feeding, bathing, dressing, walking.
• Homemaker services provide services regarding meal preparation and housekeeping.
• Skilled health care requires more specialized training and can help address the medical needs of the person such as giving medicines on time, buying medicines from pharmacy coupon online, stocking up on medical supplies timely, and giving IVs or injections if needed.

Out-of-home Respite Care

There is a range of respite care programs depending on your location. This type of care includes:

• Adult daycare centers, specially designed for older people who can no longer live and manage independently. These daycare centers normally work throughout the business days with daytime hours. These centers provide meals and snacks according to the diet of the person.
• Residential programs offer temporary care. Group homes, hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities to provide emergency and planned services.  
• Respite camps and caregiver retreats are available in different areas. This type combines respite care with peer support.