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Respite Care: All That You Need to Know

May 28, 2020

Respite Care

Respite Care: All That You Need to Know

A caregiver's role entails endless energy, tireless empathy, and resolute commitment for those in need of constant, monitored care. As we all can understand, regardless of how much you appreciate a job, everyone looks forward to some free time from their round-the-clock caregiving.

That's when you should consider respite care service for elderly patients. It helps fight off the burnout that can lead to stress and fatigue in caregivers.

What Is Respite Care?

Respite care offers temporary relief for primary caregivers. It can be organized for just a few hours or more than a few days or weeks. In-home respite care, care at a medical facility, or at an adult day center are a few options for care for seniors. It involves a variety of services including home-based care, expert nursing, residential programs, companionship, and more.

Who Needs Respite Care?

Being a caregiver is a gratifying, yet challenging role. To offer the best possible care, you must ensure you are also caring for yourself. Maintaining a healthy diet, incorporating exercise, scheduling breaks, and maintaining your emotional well-being is vital. A lot of family caregivers face difficulties in taking out time to attend to their personal needs when concentrating on their loved one's needs round the clock. This type of care enables you to disengage for a couple of hours to a few days to repose and recharge.

When Is Respite Care Available?

It is available to suit you and your loved one's schedules. Professional caregivers can visit as often as you need on a program centered around you and your loved one's requirements. The care can be short-term or long-term. It will be accessible weekdays, weekends and holidays. A home care provider will team up with you to conceive a care plan that is most suitable for both you and your family.

How Much Does Respite Care Cost?

The charges of these care services can differ depending on the category and location of care your loved one requires. How frequently your senior wants care is also an important factor in determining the cost. A respite care agency should collaborate with you for home care service to schedule care as required and within your budget.

Is Respite Care Covered by Medicare?

In several cases, Medicare does not cover the costs of long-term care. Medicare will include respite care in case of home care as well as temporary hospice or medical facility stay. You can explore other options to fund the care expenses if your loved one is not eligible for Medicare. Depending on their eligibility your loved ones may be eligible for the State Medicaid funds or the long-term care insurance coverage may likely include respite care.

While many family caregivers cannot afford the cost of respite care, they can find financial assistance through these federal and state finance programs.

National Family Caregiver Support Program

The National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) provides a grant to all the 50 states for supportive services, including respite care, to help unpaid caregivers in keeping their loved ones at home. You may be eligible to receive this assistance if you are an unpaid caregiver of a person with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Also, you must be 18 years or older in order to be eligible for this support program.

The assistance is in the form of respite care vouchers, which can be redeemed for a specific number of respite care hours or a set amount that goes towards the care. Although the respite care through NFCSP is available without a fee, some families might have to pay a share of cost according to their income. The NFCSP is administered by local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), also known as the Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs).

Lifespan Respite Care Program

Lifespan Respite Care Program provides federal grants to 37 states, including the district of Columbia, to aid the unpaid caregiver of a person with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The grants are given to state agencies that work with non-profit organizations to provide caregiver service.

Here, the specific details regarding benefits and eligibility criteria may vary depending on the state in which a caregiver resides. Both the National Family Caregiver Support Program and the Lifespan Respite Care Program are funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Community Living.

VA Respite Care

The Veterans Administration offers up to 30 days of respite care to all veterans enrolled in the VA Health Care. If they have a chronic health condition like mid-late stage Alzheimer's disease or dementia that need a nursing home level care, they meet the requirement.

The respite care can be provided in the veteran's home by a home health aide, in an adult day care center, in a veteran's nursing home facility or medical center. The respite can be taken intermittingly or all at one time. Also, you don't have to pay any charges for the first 22 days for respite care, and after that, there may be a co-payment.

Here are some additional questions about respite care that are most commonly asked.

How Does Respite Care Work?

Respite care provides short-term relief to a caregiver from the strain and stress of their regular caregiving duties. Individuals who step in to offer ongoing care are known as respite workers. Respite care covers a variety of services including home-based care, skilled nursing, companionship, and more.

How Does Respite Care Support Families?

Respite care offers care options tailored to suit the individual's situation so that family members can choose the appropriate care. If needed, respite care assistance can step in to provide 24-hour care for your sick, elderly, or disabled loved ones having dementia or Alzheimer's. On the other hand, respite services can step in regularly to provide relief for the required number of hours per day.

How Many Days of Respite Is a Primary Caregiver Given?

Respite care is designed to be a short term care service. It can be for a few hours or a couple of weeks, depending on your unique requirement. When that period is over, you resume with the usual caregiving role for your loved one.

Why Is Respite Care Important?

During the respite care period, your loved one with dementia or other medical conditions obtains care from a professional in-home care service. You can relax and rejuvenate, knowing your loved one is receiving exceptional care — and that once their time in respite care is over, you'll be prepared to resume your regular caregiving routine.

Respite care for seniors significantly improves an individual's caregiving abilities as they can find ample time to relax and invigorate. Approach respite care just as any personal medical issue because you can only care for someone well if you're taking care of yourself.

If you want to know more about respite care or need a caregiver for your loved one with dementia or similar health condition, contact us on 949.514.8303 for in-home care.

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