Respite
For those caring for an older adult, the work never ends. The term “Respite” refers to many different options for caregivers that provide a much-needed break from this very difficult job.
Respite Care can also mean the services one can access that provide short-term, temporary relief to those who are caring for family members who might otherwise require permanent placement in a facility outside the home.
According to some sources, in the United States today there are approximately 50 million people who are caring at home for family members including elderly parents, and spouses and children with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses. Without this home-care, most of these cared for loved ones would require permanent placement in institutions or health care facilities.
Even though many families take great joy in providing care to their loved ones so that they can remain at home the physical, emotional and financial consequences for the family caregiver can be overwhelming without some support. Respite can provide the much-needed temporary break from the often-exhausting challenges faced by the family caregiver.
Respite is the service most often requested by family caregivers and yet it is often difficult to find good options due to good care being inaccessible, or unaffordable regardless of the age or disability of the individual needing assistance.
It has been estimated that close to 80% of all long-term care is now provided at home by family caregivers to children and adults with serious conditions, including mental health issues, cognitive impairments and Alzheimer's disease.
Many professionals encourage caregivers to find good respite options for the sake of both the caregiver and the one being cared for. In fact, finding good respite care is often essential for a caregiver’s emotional and physical health. Few if any of us are capable of providing all of the services of caregiving without some help.
Without respite, not only can families suffer economically and emotionally, caregivers themselves may face serious health and social risks as a result of stress associated with continuous caregiving. Respite has been shown to help sustain family caregiver health and wellbeing, avoid or delay out-of-home placements, and reduce the likelihood of abuse and neglect. An outcome based evaluation pilot study show that respite
may also reduce the likelihood of divorce and help sustain marriages.
Some forms of Respite
Respite can mean a number of things. It can be provided in your home or away from your home. It can also be provided by a family member or by a professional.
Respite care provides short-term breaks that relieve stress, restore energy, and promote balance in your life. Working with family members or friends may be difficult, but there are many respite care options and strategies that you may not be aware of.
Using respite care before you become exhausted, isolated, or overwhelmed is ideal, but just anticipating regular relief can become a lifesaver.
Different Types of Respite Care
In-home respite
- Informal family support and relief
- Online caregiver communities and video workshops
- Volunteer or paid companionship
- Personal care or skilled health assistance
Out-of-home respite
- Adult day programs (please refer to the category in this website titled “Adult Day Care” for more on this.
- Residential respite care
- Caregiver support groups
Analyzing Needs
Before making a decision about respite it is first essential to analyze the needs you have. For example, how much time do I need in order to feel the benefits of relief from my responsibilities? Do I need support? Do I need a professional who can provide transportation and remind my loved one about when to take medication? Is it a change of scenery or an activity that will provide the most help? What about mental stimulation, exercise or help with meal preparation?
Answering these questions will make it easier to decide what kind of respite is needed.
How will I pay for it?
Here is a list of different funding sources for respite care.
- Insurance: Although medical insurance generally does not include respite coverage unless licensed medical professionals are involved, long term care policies usually fund services up to specific time or dollar limits.
- SSI: Patients with disability coverage may be eligible for home health care benefits. Check your local Social Security office or call the toll free number to verify eligibility.
- Medicaid: Medicaid does not fund respite directly, but some states use waivers to apply federal funds to offset respite costs for residents with specific conditions and disabilities. Consult your state’s Administration on Aging website.
- Veterans’ Benefits: The VA provides inpatient respite coverage for up to 30 days per year for qualified veterans. In addition, when war-time vets care for their spouses, funding for in-home services are available on a state-by-state basis.
- Foundation Grants: Private foundations, such as The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Brookdale Foundation make grants to organizations that provide direct respite. These funds are usually awarded annually and posted on foundation websites.
- Nonprofit and Disability Organizations: The United Way, the Alzheimer’s Association, and other disability-specific organizations may offer respite money in your area. Agency care specialists can assist you in researching these funds.
- State Agencies: Over half of all states allow family members to receive payment for providing respite care. Eligibility, delivery modes and funding vary from state to state.
Remembering the benefits and following these six tips can ease the process:
- Plan and schedule frequent breaks. Respite is not just a service-it is an outcome that requires regular relief.
- Use checklists to teach providers about your care recipient’s schedules, likes and dislikes. Offer suggestions for handling behaviors.
- Make back-up plans. Always keep a list of alternate providers and resources. Unplanned emergencies should not prevent you from taking care of yourself.
- Evaluate often. Observe your care recipient before and after respite sessions. Ask for brief updates and more detailed reports regularly.
- Expect changes. Respite care is a process that often requires fine-tuning, Anticipating and accepting changes in personnel or programs can keep you from becoming discouraged.
- Attend your support group regularly. Structured and informal groups allow you to meet others in situations much like yours. You can talk, vent, laugh, and exchange tips with people who understand. If you can’t easily leave home, online communities, message boards and forums can provide much-needed support.