Horizon Care Services can provide and coordinate respite care services
Being a full-time family caregiver can be tremendously stressful even for those who willingly choose to care for an elderly or disabled parent, grandparent, or other family member. Respite care is an important aspect of caring for the elderly or disabled.
There are about 2.2 million caregivers providing care to about 1.3 million frail elderly adults. Despite reports of great personal satisfaction associated with caring for an aging loved one, prolonged caregiving has a negative effect on the physical and emotional health of caregivers. Caring for the caregiver is as important as caring for the elder adult. Respite for the caregiver has immeasurable benefits.
Respite care simply means interval of rest or relief. A family caregiver must take extra care to prevent caregiver burnout. Many caregivers have ruined their own health by not taking care of themselves. During a respite period, a caregiver may choose to take a short vacation, go for a walk or out to lunch, go to the movies, visit with friends, or participate in a support group. Anything that helps relieve stress and restore energy and a positive attitude will help a family caregiver.
Respite care provides temporary relief to the primary caregiver from stress imposed by being a full-time caregiver. Respite care is when an outside care provider takes over for the primary caregiver for a specific period of time. This allows the caregiver to have a break from their everyday caregiving duties. Respite care services may be for a few days, overnight, or just a few hours, depending on needs and circumstances.
Where Respite Care Services are Provided
Respite care services may be provided in an inpatient setting at a facility or in one’s own home. Respite services can help prevent individual and family discord, institutionalization, or abuse by an overly stressed caregiver. Respite care is not meant to replace specialized services but to be a needed relief for the emotional and physical needs of the caregiver. The elderly or disabled individual may also find that respite services benefit them emotionally as well.
Respite care services may be provided in a facility or in the patient’s own home. Respite care providers may be privately hired, volunteers or employees of a community agency, staff of an institution, or staff of a home health agency.
Out-of-home respite care may be provided in an assisted living facility, nursing home, adult day center, family care home, respite caregiver’s home, or a hospice center. Medicare may pay part of the cost for respite care for eligible patients in a qualified facility.
In-home respite care services are provided by a respite caregiver in the client’s own home. The full-time family caregiver may choose to take a short vacation to relieve stress while the respite provider stays in the home to care for the elderly or disabled family member.
Respite services may include:
- Companionship
- Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, eating, and toileting.
- Meal preparation
- Light housekeeping
- Personal hygiene
- Paying for Respite Care
When respite services are provided by a local community agency, the cost to the patient or family caregiver is usually determined through a needs assessment and based on financial needs.
Medicare may cover respite care services for eligible individuals in a Medicare certified facility.
Private pay. Respite services are provided through home health care agencies, homemaker/companion services, and private individuals.
Let Horizon Care Services help you with providing your respite care needs. We are always here when you need us.
