Respite Care for Seniors

Respite Care for Seniors

Chances are we have been involved in caregiving for a family member or loved one or at least know someone who has. Being the primary caregiver for friends and family can be very rewarding but at the same time can be very strenuous and demanding. In situations where married couples have been together many years, they wish to be the primary caregiver for the other. However, depending on the physical condition of the caregiver this could end up being dangerous. Transferring, toileting, showering and bathing can put not only the person who needs the care in a dangerous position but also the caregiver. For instance, say that a caregiver is trying to lift someone from the bed to get them up and start their day. The next thing you know the caregiver and the patient have both fallen onto the floor and there’s no one to help either of them up.  They may end up lying in the floor until someone can get to a phone to call 911 or until a family member or friend comes to check on them. In this situation, one or both could possibly end up going to the hospital and the chance of one of them staying the primary caregiver is now practically impossible. 

And the next big question is “What now?” There are approximately 20 million Americans who provide some sort of respite care for someone over the age of 65, and typically it’s family and friends who provide that care. Caregiving is extremely hard work and in a lot of cases caregivers typically die before the person they are helping dies. Caregivers can also become depressed and injured upon trying to help someone. There is good news though.  There are options available to give the caregiver a break. One of the possibilities to look into is working with a home care agency that can provide caregivers to come in and allow you to leave for a period of time whether it’s anywhere from 1 to 8 hours a day.  There is great flexibility here as far as having someone like that come in based on the need. The fact that you’re able to step back and recharge goes a long long way both for you and the person you’re caring for. It gives you time to physically and mentally recharge.  You can also lower your stress levels and keep from suffering from health as well as emotional problems affiliated with being the primary caregiver. A few questions to ask before hiring someone from a home care agency to come in and take care of your loved one are as follows:

(1) Are your caregivers certified and trained in lifting transferring toileting and showering and taking care of someone with incontinence issues? 
(2) Are you licensed and bonded? 
(3) Are there minimum hours required? 

Please make sure to ask a lot of questions so you and your loved one can both feel at ease. The great thing about this is it allows you to have your loved one stay in their home. A lot of times these agencies can arrange transportation and maybe even take them on an outing while you stay home and recoup. 

Another option could be a community based respite stay.  A lot of times there are Independent Living or Assisted Living communities that offers short-term stays that can range from one day through several weeks or even longer. Whether to choose Independent Living or Assisted Living will depend on the needs of that particular person. You can simply make a phone call to see if respite stays are available and which would be better suited for the patient.  Also make sure to ask about the pricing. 

There are also community-based adult day centers that a lot of times would be a good fit. These can be a great option as participants are able to socialize, participate in group activities, and have lunch all while under the watchful eye of the people there at the day Center. 

Now let’s talk about the cost associated with these three options. Home agencies who can come in the home and provide services for loved ones rates vary so make sure to call around and ask what their rates are. As far as community based respite stays once again ask the right questions and talk about pricing up front. Adult day centers can be a much cheaper option go in and visit and ask lots of questions. There could also be a respite vouchers available so as you’re speaking to people ask if they accept respite vouchers. There may be an area aging services located in your area that could get you some information on how to apply for these respite vouchers. It is so important for you as a caregiver to be able to step back regroup and recharge to be the best caregiver you can be for your loved one. Not only will it keep you feeling better but the person you’re taking care of will also benefit in many ways as well.