| Many people provide care and assistance to their | | | | needed, may include medical or nursing needs and |
| elderly parents, family members, friends or | | | | even medication administration. |
| neighbors, enabling them to remain at home for | | | | Many home care agencies provide 24 hour live-in |
| as long as possible. These dedicated caregivers | | | | help for the caregiver who needs a vacation. |
| need time off to relax, regroup and tend to their | | | | Respite care facilities may also admit the individual |
| personal responsibilities. Respite care (or relief | | | | on a temporary basis as an alternative to |
| care) offers caregivers the opportunity for down | | | | at-home respite care. |
| time. There are many sources of care that fall | | | | Volunteer respite help is often provided by family |
| under the umbrella of respite care. | | | | members, friends, neighbors or church members |
| The most commonly used respite care sources | | | | who come in to stay with an elderly individual so |
| are home care agencies, volunteer help, adult day | | | | that the primary caregiver can work, run errands, |
| care programs and respite care facilities. Home | | | | tend to their own personal responsibilities or just |
| care agencies provide a variety of services that | | | | have time to relax. Local councils on aging often |
| can be accessed for a few hours per day up to | | | | run "visitor" programs comprised of volunteers |
| 24 hours, 7 days per week. Short term and long | | | | who are available to provide companionship in the |
| term respite care is often available. The greater | | | | home. Some individual cities and towns have |
| flexibility the home care agency has, the greater | | | | respite care information on their websites. |
| opportunity the caregiver has to take time off to | | | | Often caregivers must work during the day and |
| suit their needs. This may mean a few hours off | | | | are only available to provide care in the evenings |
| to keep an appointment or have lunch with a | | | | and on weekends. Adult daycare programs offer |
| friend, or a longer time away to take a vacation. | | | | a safe and stimulating daytime environment for |
| Home care respite offers a variety of services | | | | individuals who cannot be left alone. Transportation |
| that can be used alone or in conjunction with | | | | is often available through the local council on aging |
| other services. For example: a companion can visit | | | | office or privately for a fee. |
| and engage the individual in conversation, activities | | | | The cost of respite services varies depending |
| or hobbies, remind the individual to take | | | | upon the agency or provider. Some long term |
| medications or accompany him or her outside the | | | | care polices cover these expenses and, in some |
| home for shopping, appointments or | | | | areas, federal or state programs may provide |
| entertainment. A companion may also provide light | | | | financial assistance. |
| housekeeping, meal preparation, laundry, errand | | | | Respite care is as much about the caregiver as it |
| and other support services. A personal care | | | | is about the person receiving care. It is respite |
| assistant can assist the individual with bathing, | | | | care that allows the caregiver to continue in their |
| grooming, dressing, exercise and toileting, as well | | | | care giving role without burnout. Check into your |
| as provide companion level services. Skilled care, if | | | | local resources. |