Caregivers work hard to make sure the person they’re helping lives an enjoyable life — but it’s an around-the-clock job.
These caregivers need a break every so often, and that’s what respite care is for.
Respite care is a form of temporary care provided by someone else other than the primary caregiver. The goal is to give the primary caregiver some time to rest and recuperate without interrupting the care for the person they’re looking after.
Let’s discuss some things you should know about respite care.
What Services Does Respite Care Involve?
Respite care is designed to help those with an illness or disability continue to receive excellent care while the main caregiver takes a break to recover from the rigors of the job.
Some ways respite care can help your loved one include:
- Home tasks (such as bathing, dressing, cleaning, and cooking)
- Exercise
- Taking medications
- Getting in and out of bed
- Spending time outdoors
As you’ll see next, there are group forms of respite care as well. These can offer additional activities that enrich your loved one’s daily life.
Types of Respite Care
Home Respite Care
You can have a respite caregiver come to you if you’d like. Home respite caregivers stand-in for you while you take a break from your caregiving duties, providing all of the same help that you usually offer.
Additionally, home respite caregivers offer your loved ones some company so they can socialize and avoid isolation and loneliness.
Respite Care Facilities
Long-term care facilities are usually designed for seniors who no longer can live on their own and don’t have a caregiver at home.
However, some of these facilities offer respite care as well. While you’re away, your loved one spends time in an apartment or room with caregivers to help. These facilities are great if you’re away for a longer period of time, such as a couple of weeks.
A benefit here is that there are often multiple staff members available to help your loved one throughout the day while you’re gone.
Plus, many of these facilities have on-site amenities like gyms and religious services. Many even take seniors on supervised outings.
Adult Day Centers
If you’ll only be gone for a few hours or the whole day, an adult day center is a great place for your loved one to spend time.
These facilities offer numerous activities to keep your loved one engaged throughout the day, such as classes and exercise opportunities.
Some of these facilities will even pick up your loved one from their home and bring them back later.
How Much Does Respite Care Cost?
Respite care costs vary by type and length of services and the agency you go to. Long-term care insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid may cover some of the costs, but check your policy to make sure.
If you need assistance paying beyond what insurance covers, you can also look into government programs (at the federal, state, and local levels), nonprofits, and caregiver groups.
Looking for a caregiver in the Washington DC area? Whether you need a short break from providing care to your loved one or you want a long-term arrangement, the caring professionals at VMT Home Health Agency would be happy to help. Contact us today to learn more.
