Respite Care
When a person takes on caregiving duties for an elderly or disabled loved one, it can be very stressful and hard to balance normal life with these additional responsibilities. With respite care services, caregivers can take a break and share responsibilities with a trusted professional.
What is respite care?
Respite care has two important goals: sharing responsibility for caregiving and supporting the caregiver. Respite care services provide temporary substitute care for people who are elderly or disabled, so that caregivers can maintain their normal activities to the best of their abilities and prevent burnout. These caregivers are often family members or otherwise non-paid.
These services may take different forms depending on the caregiver's and the patient's needs; for example, respite care for the elderly could include a temporary stay in an adult care facility. Respite care for disabled adults may include adult day care services.
By supporting caregivers, the objective is to either delay or avoid the need to admit the patient to a facility. This could look like placement in a nursing home or assisted living facility, which may not provide the same level of personalized care and comfort that the patient is used to.
Who is respite care for?
A caregiver for an elderly or disabled person may find respite care beneficial. The goal is to provide caregivers with the chance to take a break from their duties, relieve stress, and support them in their responsibilities. This time gives caregivers an opportunity to address their own needs - like running errands, spending time with friends, going on vacation, or simply relaxing at home - so that they can maintain their level of care and commitment when they return.
Respite care may also serve as an opportunity for caregivers to attend support groups, seek counseling, or further their education and training in the caregiving space.
Patients may benefit from respite care too, as a new friendly face and voice can be a welcome change in routine.
Hospice respite care
Though there is a hospice care team in place for every patient, the bulk of a patient's hospice care often falls on loved ones. As the caregiver prepares for the end of their loved one's life both practically and emotionally, hospice respite care can be a valuable service to offer support in a period of transition.
In-home respite care
The transition from living independently to needing regular care can be alarming for many patients. Respite care in the home allows the patient to remain in a familiar setting with visits from family and friends. They can still partake in activities they enjoy while caregivers ensure they are safe and comfortable.
This care may look like social companionship, home health services from a medical professional, or personal care.
Finding quality respite care
Many caregivers find relief from family, friends, or other volunteers - and it doesn't hurt to ask those individuals first and provide a specific request so that they know exactly how to help. It is not uncommon to divide an individual's care amongst many loved ones.
If a caregiver is seeking an outside organization, the local office of the aging may be able to provide connections to senior respite care services nearby. Medicare and Medicaid may help cover the costs depending on the situation and type of care required. Many communities have faith-based or non-profit organizations that would connect caregivers with volunteers.
To determine how respite care can best offer support, caregivers can use these planning worksheets from the National Institute on Aging to identify unique needs and tasks at hand.
It can be very difficult for caregivers to ask for help and find quality respite and home care, but rest assured that compassionate, trustworthy people on our team are glad to help in times of need. We assure you that it's not selfish to need a break from this critical role.
Our team at Errand Runners can support Bay Area respite caregivers and patients with a variety of tasks, from laundry and grocery shopping to tracking medications and coordinating with the care team. Their roles are flexible to ensure that they are meeting the caregiver's and the patient's needs. Contact us today if you or a loved one is in need of respite care in San Francisco.
Contact us today to see how we can help you and your loved one with hospice and palliative care near the Bay Area. We are proud to support patients and families with care in Walnut Creek and Contra Costa County.
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Our team at Errand Runners Unlimited is here to help with whatever you need, from everyday tasks to regular in-home care. We hope to hear from you soon!
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