BackWhat is respite care?
Article submitted by Kelly Tipler, Executive Director, Tennessee Respite Coalition. Call 1-888-579-3754 for more information.
Respite care provides temporary relief for family caregivers from their day-to-day caregiving responsibilities. Respite care allows caregivers to take time for themselves to recoup emotionally and physically, tend to family or work obligations, or take that much needed afternoon or vacation without worrying about the care of their loved one. As a result, caregivers often return with renewed energy and a fresh perspective that enables them to provide higher quality care for their loved one.
Caregivers need time off from their caregiving responsibilities to relieve stress and prevent burnout. Effective, sustainable caregiving depends on meeting the caregiver's own needs for nurturance, reassurance, support and periodic respite.
What types of respite care are available?
Respite care is provided in a variety of ways. It can take place in an adult day center, in the home of the person being cared for, or even in a residential setting such as an assisted living facility or nursing home.
* In-home Respite involves someone coming to the home and staying with the care recipient for the family member. In home Respite can be delivered from private personal care agencies, volunteer groups, non-profit agency programs, or through informal networks of family and friends.
* Institutional Respite involves taking the care recipient to an independent facility, often for an extended period of time. Depending on the level of care needed, the respite care person may need different skills. Some facilities such as nursing homes or assisted living offer care for a family member for a day, a weekend or when the caregiver takes a vacation.
* Adult Day Care often provides a full day of Respite. Adult day care agencies, as well as many assisted living facilities and nursing homes provide this type of Respite. It typically involves activities, exercise, and meals for the care recipient. This type of Respite can be ideal for those family caregivers still working.Although there are different approaches to respite care, they all have the same basic objective; to provide family caregivers with relief from the daily responsibilities of caring for their loved one. Respite is essential for all family caregivers.