Many people provide care for an elderly, chronically ill, or disabled family member. As a primary caregiver, there are many emotional and physical demands. It is therefore normal to need breaks. Taking a break from caregiving will benefit not only you as the caregiver, but your loved one as well. Respite care is a service that provides immediate care by an alternate caregiver and can be beneficial during emergencies, unplanned situations and unexpected trips.

What is respite care?

Respite care is short-term accommodation that can take place in the comfort of your own home or in a facility outside of the home where a loved one may be placed. This service provides time-limited breaks for families and unpaid caregivers. Children with developmental disabilities and adults with intellectual disability can benefit from these services.

Respite care services are beneficial to both the caregiver and the loved on. In fact, they provide support & maintain the primary caregiving relationship while catering a positive experience to the person receiving care. Respite care gives the caregiver a break while the loved one can continue receiving care in a safe environment.

With these services, the caregiver can:

• Spend time with friends and family
• Complete errands such as shopping, getting a haircut, exercising
• Maintain peace of mind knowing that their loved one is cared for by a trained professional

In receiving temporary caregiving relief, you will support and strengthen your ability to provide care by getting time to rest and to participate in community activities.

Types of respite care services

There are different varieties of respite care services depending on your needs and preferences. They can be provided at home through home support services. In addition, services can be obtained in the community via adult day services, child/youth day services, short term stays in a residential care facility, hospice or other community care settings. Using respite care services can avoid or delay permanent out-of-home placements at institutions or health care facilities. In addition, it can reduce the likelihood of abuse and neglect of a loved one. Depending on the severity of care needed, these services can be provided a few hours a day, a couple of days during the week, on a weekend, overnight or even for two to three weeks.

The burden of caregiving can be challenging not only for the primary caregiver, but for the entire family. As a result, your own health and well-being can be compromised. Using a respite care service gives a chance for you and the person you are taking care of to take a break.

In-home respite care:

In-home respite care occurs in the comfort of your own home, so your loved one does not need to leave their familiar home environment. This occurs in the form of scheduled temporary non-medical care and/or supervision in the person’s home by a volunteer or paid help.

Services include:

• Relieving family members from constant demands of caregiving
• Providing assistance to family members in enabling the person to stay at home
• Appropriate care & supervision to ensure person’s safety in absence of a family member
• Attending to basic self-care needs and activities that would normally be performed by a family member

Out of home respite care:

Out-of-home respite care are services provided in the community including adult day services, residential care facilities, a community hospice and more. Service providers operate licensed residential facilities or bill under the “respite” category.

Planning your relief

Planning for respite care can be overwhelming. Starting with the following guidelines can guide you and help you find the right match for you and your loved one.

• Analyze your needs – think about the type, skills, and location of respite care you are seeking. For example, do you need general support, regular free time, help with transportation?
• Analyze the needs of your loved one – what are their abilities and preferences? For example, are social activities, assistance with walking, mental stimulation, or exercise important?

Seeking support and maintaining your own health are key to being a successful caregiver. Many of us believe that we should be able to “do it all”, but in reality we all need a break. Respite care services are perfect resources to gaining valuable time to recharge for both the loved one and the caregiver.