Respite care is short-term, temporary care given to someone in need when the primary caregiver is in need of a break. The respite care is given in-home or outside of the home. Respite care’s purpose is to give the primary caregiver a break from their care giving responsibilities. The respite care may last just a few hours, several days, or long-term while the caregiver goes on vacation or when the caregiver is ill. Respite care can be planned in advance, or it may be an emergency situation.

Respite care can be done in the individual’s home who needs care, or it can be done outside of the home such as in a day care center, residential home, nursing home, or a hospice or it may be provided in the home of the respite worker.

Not everyone needs the same kind of respite care. Some individuals need only companionship, someone to come over and keep them from being lonely. Someone to play cards with and perhaps talk to. Other need light housekeeping, meal preparation; help with bathing, or dressing or even bathroom assistance. Others have more intensive medical help such as administration of medications.

The caregiver may have different respite needs from other caregivers such as length of time needed for respite (intermittent, substitute, daily care, emergency care, or long-term care).

Caregivers use respite care to avoid: burnout, depression, feelings of irritability, or anger, from becoming exhausted, being negligent or hating their care giving responsibilities because of being overwhelmed.

Caregivers should know that the best thing they can do for their loved ones is to take good care of themselves by scheduling regular breaks with the help of respite care.

In order to avoid caregiver burnout, caregivers should use respite care often, have phone conversations with friends, eat nutritious meals, get plenty of sleep, exercise on a regular basis, join a support group for caregivers, attend church, take time to pamper yourself on a regular basis.

When deciding what respite services are right make sure to interview all applicants, ask for references, visit out of home respite programs several times, ask to see certificates or licenses, and ask about training of staff. Meet all staff that will have contact with your loved one. Make sure you know about finances ahead of time and are comfortable with the arrangement. Make sure that the respite program is available when you need them and for the length of time and hours you need them. Ask if they provide transportation if it is an outside of the home respite program.

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