RESPITE CARE:AVOIDING CAREGIVER BURNOUT

© Aging Wisely, 2015 Not for reprint or use without permission.

WHAT IS RESPITE CARE?

“A SHORT PERIOD OF REST OR RELIEF FROM SOMETHING DIFFICULT OR UNPLEASANT”

“AN INTERVAL OF REST OR RELIEF”

Respite care is when substitute caregivers assist so that the primary caregiver can take a break.

It can be a regular break (once/week for example) or a one-time/occasional event (such as for a trip, vacation or during an illness).

Respite can be provided in-home or at a care facility.

Why do I need respite care?• 17% of caregivers feel their health in general has

gotten worse as a result of their caregiving responsibilities.

• 40% to 70% of family caregivers have clinically significant symptoms of depression with about a quarter to half of these caregivers meeting the diagnostic criteria for major depression.

• Caring for persons with dementia is reported to impact a person’s immune system for up to 3 years after their caregiving experience ends, thus increasing their chances of developing a chronic illness themselves.

*Family Caregiver Alliance statistics

Respite care helps you avoid caregiver burnout and stay healthy and at your best to care for your loved one. It is not selfish, but a gift to both yourself and your care recipient.

• Respite care is one of the services that Alzheimer’s caregivers say they need most (Leon, et al., 1998).

• Respite has been shown to improve family functioning, improve satisfaction with life, enhance the capacity to cope with stress, and improve attitudes toward the family member with a disability (Cohen and Warren, 1985).

• Sixty-four percent of caregivers of the elderly receiving 4 hours of respite per week after one year reported improved physical health, 78% improved their emotional health, and 50% cited improvement in the care recipient as well. Forty percent said they were less likely to institutionalize the care recipient because of respite (Theis, S.L., et al, 1994).

RESPITE CARE OPTIONSIn-Home Care: respite care is provided in the caregiver or care recipient’s home, usually by a home care agency (or relatives/friends helping out)Benefits: familiar environment, comfort level for care recipient, totally customized and personalized, times/schedule can be flexible, can be done on a regular basis or for various periods, can be very affordable for routine respite also

Facility: the care recipient has a short-term stay at an assisted living or nursing homeBenefits: built-in activities/socialization, can be cost-effective for longer stays (1 week, 1 month etc.)

Adult Day Care: agencies or facilities may offer day programs for a care recipient to attend and take part in activities/receive meals and some level of careBenefits: potentially affordable option for ongoing respite, financial assistance may be available

Paying for Respite Care

• Costs vary by area and type of respite: check various options and find out what is included

• Financial assistance may be available from your Area Agency on Aging or caregiver and disease-specific organizations (i.e. Alzheimer’s Association, MS Society)

• In-home care is usually per hour rate; facility care is by week/month/day and adult day care is per day or half day.

• Understand inclusions and extras. Consider having a geriatric care manager assess your options so you can understand the pros and cons for your situation.

• Explore all options and understand pros and cons for your loved one. Find out about providers and prepare a list of questions when interviewing them.

• Compile information on your loved one: health information, medication list, key contacts, routine, likes/dislikes, favorite activities, etc.

• Get EasyLiving’s FREE Prepare for Respite Care Checklist (http://www.easylivingfl.com/respitecare-checklist).

• Give it a try before a crisis!

Preparing for Respite Care

www.easylivingfl.com –Award winning, Florida licensed home health care and home caregivers in Pinellas and Pasco Counties, with specialty dementia care and personalized respite care. Free home safety resources and weekly blog updates about aging health, caregiving and aging-in-place.

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