Caregiving is a challenging and often thankless job. This is especially true if you are an unpaid caregiver for a family member. Devoting all your time to care for a loved one without reprieve can eventually lead to burnout. And if you can’t leave your loved one alone, you may be neglecting other aspects of your life. The good news is, there are many forms of respite care that can help take the burden off your shoulders.

Respite care helps lift the weight of caregiving by providing care at home, in a health care facility or at an adult day care center. Respite care basically allows the caregiver to be “off duty” so you can accomplish other tasks, like spending time with family, running errands, cleaning the house or completing outside work.

Types of Respite Care

There are several types of respite care, including:

  • In-home: A qualified aide will come to your home to care for your loved one.
  • Adult day care centers: Typically open on weekdays, adult day care centers provide mental stimulation and socialization opportunities for older adults. They may also provide care for those with cognitive impairments.
  • Short-term nursing homes: For longer periods of respite care, an assisted living home or nursing home can care for your loved one

Reasons You Might Need Respite Care

As a caregiver, you may be so focused on caring for your loved one that you neglect your own needs, which can lead to caregiver burnout. Caregiver burnout is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion that happens while you are taking care of someone else. Without proper breaks from caregiving, your likelihood of facing burnout is common.

More than 60% of caregivers experience burnout. Burnout can make you feel:

  • Angry with the person in your care
  • Withdrawn from loved ones
  • Isolated, feeling like you do not have support  
  • Guilty if you try to spend time doing anything for yourself

Asking for help and utilizing respite care options can help avoid burnout. Remember, it is okay to take a break. Respite care can give you the time you need to take care of your health and wellbeing, making you more prepared to continue caring for your loved one.  

How to Access Respite Care

Finding respite care can be overwhelming, especially when you already have a lot on your plate. Compass Rose Aging Well’s resource coordinator has extensive experience helping members find the care they need. If you do not have time to research or have questions about how respite care works, call or email Compass Rose Aging Well. Our team can walk you through what to look for and even help you find the right services that fit into your schedule.  

You may also find relief in a caregiver support group, either in-person or online. Our resource coordinator can help you find a support group that also offers respite care during group meetings so you can both talk with others and get a break from caregiving.

Depending on the level of need and location, the cost for respite care may vary. Medicare should cover the cost of respite care for an inpatient facility for up to five days at a time if your loved one is receiving hospice care. Our resource coordinator can help you research respite care options near you, navigate the complexities of health care, and understand your coverage under Medicare and/or the Compass Rose Health Plan.

Spending time taking care of yourself is not a luxury. Remember that to help others, you must help yourself. It may not be easy at first, but trusting a qualified respite care giver to help lessen the burden for you can provide much needed relief.  

 

Published: July 2, 2024