East Texas Area:

http://www.etcog.org/210/Caregiving.htm

What is Respite?

Respite care is short-term, temporary care designed to help a caregiver who is responsible for the primary care of a loved one. Respite care allows caregivers to take a little time away from their responsibilities so that they can rest, recharge and come back refreshed.

Types of Respite Care

Respite care is available to caregivers of people who are unable to care for themselves because of their physical or medical condition or age. Respite care comes in many forms and can often fit an individual need. It can last from a few hours to a few days, depending on the caregiver’s needs. The service descriptions below do not cover all forms of respite care, but they do offer an overview of the most common types.

In-Home Respite Care

A person comes to your home to stay with your loved one. The care provider may sit with your loved one and talk or do activities while you run errands or go out to a movie. In-home respite care can be offered by a variety of organizations including home health agencies, religious organizations, community groups or governmental agencies. The care provider may also offer other services, such as those described below.

Homemaker services The care provider may do light work and chores around the house so that you don’t have so much to do later on.

Personal care The care provider may help your loved one with grooming activities like brushing teeth, getting dressed, bathing or shaving.

Medical Care If your loved one requires daily medical attention, such as help with an IV, feeding tube or other medical equipment, certain respite care providers can cater to those specific needs and leave you knowing that your loved one is in capable hands.

Out-Of-Home Respite Care

Care is provided in an outside facility where you drop off your loved one and pick them up after the respite period has ended. This type of respite care can be offered through organizations that offer camps for people with functional needs, nursing homes and senior activity centers. Some out-of-home care providers will also offer overnight care.

Day Center — Medical Day centers that provide medical care have specially-trained staff on hand to help take care of your loved one’s medical needs. He or she can be left at this type of facility for several hours at a time. Often times, meals are provided. Specialized day camps for children and adults with special needs fall into this category.

Day Center — Non-Medical Some day centers do not accommodate special medical needs, but can still provide valuable socialization for your loved one and free time for you. Usually, these types of centers will serve meals or snacks and provide activities throughout the day.

Assisted Living Facility Assisted living facilities offer comprehensive services for respite, including overnight stays. They usually have trained staff who closely supervise your loved one; however, they do not always provide medical care. Not all assisted living facilities offer respite, but those that do can be a valuable resource for times when a longer respite stay is necessary.

Nursing Facility Nursing facilities offer many of the same respite benefits as assisted living facilities, including caring for your loved one for a longer period of time. In addition, there are multiple staff members who can provide supervision. Nursing facilities also can provide specialized medical care for those who require it.

Crisis/Emergency Care

This type of care provider can quickly assist when you have a family emergency or other situation that prevents you from being able to care for your loved one with either in-home or out-of-home respite care.

For in home respite care call us!