Offering family caregivers support so they can take a break.
Caregiving is a challenging task that requires a lot of time and effort. There are many different types of caregivers. Those who help children and adults with disabilities. Those who assist seniors with daily living activities, and those who provide emotional support.
Friends or family caregivers often need to spend long periods caring, which can lead to feelings of isolation and stress. To alleviate this problem, there are many organisations dedicated to providing respite care services. These services allow family caregivers to get a break and enjoy life while still caring for their loved ones.
What is respite care?
Respite Care is a planned or emergency temporary care service that allows regular carers regular breaks from their loved ones. Usually for short periods. Care can be given in a care home facility or in their own home. It can last from a couple of hours a day spanning several weeks, or even longer if it is needed.
It can give you a chance to recharge your batteries and relax.
It can give your loved one a chance to enjoy some new company.
It can give you both a chance to spend quality time together. Instead of caring for your loved one.
It can provide you both with a chance to rest and recuperate.
Respite care = a short-term break for caregivers.
Caregivers often feel guilty when they take respite breaks. Family caregivers think they should be giving all of their attention to the person they are caring for. But taking time away from them isn’t always a bad thing. When caregivers take breaks, they tend to feel re-energised, refreshed, and ready to give their best at caring for the person they love.
Taking time away from the person you care for also helps you maintain patience and compassion. Making it easier to connect with the person you are caring for. You’ll find that you can do more activities together in the time you have. Rather than performing duties such as bathing.
Families who use Respite Care tend to feel less stressed. They find themselves enjoying spending time with their loved ones more, than if they were constantly caring for them.
Types of respite services
The various types of respite care available, include:
In-home care
In-home respite care providers provide personal care assistance to individuals at home. These professionals usually come once per week or every other week, depending on the needs of the individual.
Home health aides assist with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, toileting, and medication management. They also provide companionship and emotional support to elderly or disabled people and people with developmental disabilities.
Home health aides can be hired through agencies or privately contracted.
They can also offer overnight respite if you need it. Overnight care allows caregivers to take an extended break or vacation while the person with dementia stays in a supervised, safe environment.
An adult day centre is a brilliant way for respite carers to get their clients engaged with social activities. They also often offer volunteer opportunities where volunteers can bring along class activities such as crafts, games, exercise classes, and social events. Many senior centres also provide transportation to medical appointments, grocery stores, and church functions. Senior centres may also offer personal assistance through homemaking services, such as cleaning, cooking, and laundry.
Out-of-home care
Paid caregivers can provide out-of-home care in nonresidential settings. This includes care that is provided outside the home but inside an institution (such as nursing homes), residential facilities (like group homes), or community programs (like day treatment centres).
If you’re going away without the person you care for, they may have a temporary stay in residential care.
Emergency Respite Care
Emergency care is when a family member is temporarily unavailable to provide care. Therefore, emergency respite care is needed. For example, if you need to take time away due to illness or for an operation, or if you need to focus some time on other competing responsibilities.
Engaging family members in respite care
Family members can help each other when caring for loved ones. They can also provide emotional support and companionship. But sharing the load can be challenging. Sometimes family members aren’t willing to step up and offer assistance. Or, if they do, there might not be enough time to coordinate schedules. And even if everyone agrees to pitch in, there still might not be enough resources available to accommodate all the needs.
So, what can you do?
Talk openly about your loved one’s needs. If you’re worried about upsetting them, talk to them first. You might also consider talking to other family members, friends, neighbours, and healthcare professionals.
Ask if there’s anything else they could do to help.
Be honest about your own needs and resources. Your loved one will appreciate knowing what others can offer. Accepting help isn’t always easy, but it’s important to keep everyone informed.
Recognising your own feelings and discussing disproportionate tasks can prevent burnout.
Harnessing resentment when you need help can impair your health. Therefore, you need to ask family members directly about concrete support and specific time commitments. Consider creating an online calendar to organise help and confirm schedules.
Use technologies to bridge distances.
Try video conferencing services for free to hold family meetings at convenient times. Establish a web-based community for sharing updates and exploring options.
Support groups can help you deal with your child’s autism spectrum disorder.
You may not realise that there are many different types of support groups out there. Some focus on specific topics like sensory issues, communication difficulties, or social skills. Others are geared toward parents of children with ASD and some are specifically for siblings. Regardless of what type of support group you join, remember that you will need to attend regularly. If you miss even one meeting, you could lose valuable information about how to best care for your child.
Overcoming Obstacles to Respite Care
Caregivers often feel like they are doing everything possible for their loved ones, but sometimes they just need a break. Caregiving can be physically and emotionally draining, and caregivers often feel guilty about taking time away from their loved ones. But when you are the primary caregiver, it can be hard to ask for help. You might worry about what other people will think if you admit that you need a break, or you might worry that your loved one won’t be taken care of properly while you’re gone.
You may feel like you need to take care of your loved one all the time, even though you know it's not necessary.
Maybe you worry that you won't be able to cope if you leave them alone.
You might feel like it's your responsibility to take care of them, even if you're not capable of doing so. If you're a caregiver, you might feel like you're responsible for making sure that your loved one doesn't get sick or injured.
You might feel guilty about leaving them alone because you think they'd be upset or sad.
You might feel like you should always be there for them, even if it means neglecting other important aspects of your life.
You might feel like your loved one relies on you, and that you shouldn't let them down.For example: Caring for someone with dementia can be emotionally draining and physically exhausting. It takes time away from the other relationships in your life as you may feel like you need to be there 24/7. But you need to recharge and rejuvenate yourself.
Don’t let yourself get stuck in a rut!
You may think that you’re the only one who loves your partner, but there are plenty of other people out there who could provide them with the love and affection they need. Don’t feel guilty about taking a break. Your loved ones will thank you later.
Respite Care can help with specific tasks that you're not familiar with.
Caregivers often feel overwhelmed and stressed out when taking care of someone else. Many caregivers accept the role of family caregiver without any prior training. A respite care worker can help with specific tasks that you’re not familiar with. For example, if you need assistance with bathing, cooking or medication management, a respite care worker might be able to give you advice on what to do.
Planning your relief
Planning is key to making sure you get the best possible care for your loved one. Selecting the right type of respite care will help them feel comfortable and secure. Choosing the right provider is important because you want someone who cares about your loved one and understands what you need. Finding out if there are any complaints against the provider helps you make an informed decision. If you’re not happy with the provider, ask for a referral.
Planning ahead for respite care starts by analysing the needs of both yourself and your loved one​
You should establish the type, skills, frequencies, and locations of respite services. These details will help you receive appropriate support and allow your loved one to continue receiving the best care. Caregivers often need support, especially during the first few months after a diagnosis.
Keeping a record of all your daily activities will make handing over responsibilities to another caregiver easier. It can also help you identify the areas and times you most need help.
Finding out what your loved one wants and needs helps you find the best fit for them too. You can ask family members, friends, neighbours, caregivers, doctors, therapists, clergy, or other professionals about what they think your loved one might like.
If your loved one has an illness or disability, you may want to talk to someone who knows them well. For example, if your loved one has Alzheimer’s disease, you could speak with a doctor or nurse practitioner at a local memory care facility.
When you dedicate so much time and energy to caring for someone else, you may feel hesitant about delegating their care to other people. You might worry about whether they will provide adequate care or if they will be trustworthy. If you work with a caregiver directly, you can alleviate those worries by doing some simple research.
Caregivers often have experience working with older adults, so ask them what kind of training they received before taking on their loved ones. Ask them about any special certifications or licences they hold. Find out if they have done similar caregiving jobs before. And finally, ask them about their own health history. Knowing their medical history could help you understand how well they will handle your loved one’s specific needs.
Using independent providers
It’s important to consider all aspects of the job when interviewing potential caregivers. You’ll need to ask questions about the applicant’s experience and qualifications. If the caregiver is willing to provide references, ask for them. Ask if the caregiver has any health conditions that could affect their ability to work. And, once you’ve hired someone, keep in touch! A great caregiver will not only help you out but also offer suggestions and feedback about what works best for your loved one.
Payment should be made at the time of service. If you need to pay in advance, ask for multiple references. Check them carefully, verify the information provided, and consider asking your references if they will provide references for you. A background check may help you avoid hiring someone with criminal records.
If you are considering an assisted living facility, always include the potential resident in the screening process. If they are unable to participate, then ask them what they think about the place. You may also consider inviting another family member or friend to join you during the visit. This will help you get a feel for whether the environment is right for your loved one.
Working with agencies​
Home care agencies are often cheaper than hiring an individual caregiver. Agencies handle payroll and provide substitutes if someone is sick or absent. You may have access to complaint procedures, dispute resolution, and other resources that aren’t available when dealing with individuals.
A referral service helps you find the best possible care for your loved ones. You can choose between different types of services, including adult day care centres, assisted living, memory care, nursing homes, hospice, and other options. There are also services that help families find resources for their loved ones, like financial assistance, transportation, and legal advice.
Choosing a Respite Care Provider​​
When you’ve found a program that seems like a good fit for your loved one, consider visiting at least three different facilities as well. Just to give you peace of mind that you have explored all the care options.
Ask lots of questions about the facility, its staff, and how they treat residents.
Make a checklist like the one below. If you come back after a while, you might notice that your first impression wasn’t entirely accurate. That’s okay! Just keep going until you find something that feels right.
Think about what kind of environment will best suit your loved one.
Is it a place where he/she will feel comfortable?
Will he/she enjoy interacting with other people?
Are there activities planned?
Do the staff seem friendly and professional?
How will the program ensure that families get the right amount of help at the right time?
Will there be an emergency hotline?
Who will supervise the caregivers?
Is the program designed to meet the unique needs of each family?
Can the program accommodate families with special needs?
How many hours per week will families receive services?
What are the costs associated with the program?
How will families pay for services?
- Cost of Care
The cost of respite care depends on the type of agency, the services you use, and how long you need it.
If your local council or trust decides your friend or family member needs replacement care, the local authority will do a financial assessment to work out if it will pay for it.
Respite Care Costs
Respite services charge by the hour or by the number of days or weeks that services are provided. Most insurance plans do not cover these costs. You must pay for all costs not covered by insurance or other funding sources.
Medicare will cover most of the cost of respite care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility for a person receiving hospice care for 5 days in a row.
You can get specialist help about the impact of respite care on your Carer's Allowance from the Government's Carer's Allowance Unit.
Getting the most out of Respite Care Services
Respite care is not just a service. It’s an effect that comes when you take time out of your life to focus on yourself. Schedule and plan for a respite carer to come in so you can take breaks, for just a few hours, throughout the week. You’ll feel refreshed and ready to tackle the next family caregiving challenge.
Use checklists to inform respite care workers about your loved one’s schedule. Let them in on their likes and dislikes, and any other important information, such as any major caring responsibilities. Provide suggestions for how you or other friends and family have been handling any difficult behaviour.
Back-up plans. Keep a list of alternate respites and resources. Be prepared for unplanned emergencies. Evaluate respite services frequently. Observe your loved one before and after respite visits. Ask for brief updates, and more detailed reports regularly!
Expect change. Change happens. Accept it. It may not always be easy, but if you stay patient, you’ll get through it.
Find a support network. There are many ways to connect with others who have experienced similar challenges. Support groups, online communities, message boards, and forums can help you feel less isolated and give you valuable advice. If you can’t leave home, there are plenty of online resources available to help you cope.
Remember that a care professional doesn’t just provide a few hours of temporary relief. They can also live in your home providing 24-hour care.
Your Care Plan is tailored to your needs. So make sure that you are getting help whenever you need it. For example, if you want to take a short break over the bank holidays, your care providers are here to help you.
Your Mental Health Matters too - Ask for Help
It’s not uncommon for long-term family caregivers to eventually seek respite care. However, when they do, they may find themselves missing out on many aspects of life because they’ve spent all of their free time caring for their loved ones.
If you’re feeling like you need a break, consider taking advantage of respite services from time to time. These services allow you to get away from your loved one for a few days or weeks at a time. You can go hiking, visit museums, attend concerts, see plays, read books, go shopping, or just relax.
Some services offer activities designed specifically for caregivers, such as cooking classes, art workshops, and fitness programs. When you return to your loved one, you’ll feel refreshed and have more energy to continue providing care.
Remember; having a break regularly from your caring role is important for your well-being and quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have time off from caring, there are special rules to decide whether you’ll continue to receive Carer’s Allowance. The basic rule is that you can continue to receive your Carer’s Allowance for up to four weeks in any six-month period if you have a break from caring. However, the rules are complicated
Respite care is the term used for services designed to give you a break from caring. It can come in many forms. Someone might come in to look after the person you care for regularly, or take them out to an activity group or day centre.
