What is Respite Care? Can It Help with Caregiver Burnout?
Entrusted Legacy Law
Feb 17, 2023
Pennsylvania - Greater Pittsburgh Area
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It's easy to burn out when you're responsible for providing full-time care to an aging or disabled loved one. In some cases, caregiver burnout can result in resentment toward the individual they care for, despite their love for them.
The fact is, we all need a break sometimes. That is why respite care exists. If you're a caregiver who needs to take time for yourself, read more to learn about respite care.
What Does Respite Mean?
Taking respite means having a temporary period of rest. For primary caregivers, this typically refers to securing short-term care for your loved one – even several weeks or months – so that you can recharge amid the very real burdens of caregiving.
In finding respite, you also might make time to practice self-care, from going to the gym to connecting with friends. Don't forget to find ways to maintain your sense of self while you're in the midst of giving so much of your time and attention to someone else.
Caregivers Want Information About Respite Care
In a 2022 survey of caregivers, Caregiving in America found that most were unaware that respite care was available. Many caregivers need more education about their options for respite care and how to build a network of support to share the load of providing financial and emotional support to an ailing loved one.
Here are some of the study’s findings:
- Fifty-nine percent of respondents reported that they were the primary emotional support system for a sick or impaired loved one.
- Twenty-two percent of respondents said they worked more than 40 hours per week as the primary caregiver to a disabled family member.
- Forty-eight percent of respondents disclosed they needed emotional support for themselves.
- Forty-four percent of respondents shared that they wanted information about where to find respite care.
Caregivers need information about maintaining their own health while supporting a family member. It's essential to prioritize yourself when caring for an aging or disabled relative.
Preventing Caregiver Fatigue
The challenges of taking care of an ailing loved one can be extremely stressful. More than that, the strain of serving as a caregiver – often unpaid – can make a real and lasting impact on your own health if not kept in check.
Symptoms of burnout among caregivers may include the following:
- Losing sleep and extreme fatigue
- Feeling hopeless
- Having a quick temper
- Lack of interest in your favorite activities
If you or someone you know has taken on the responsibilities of caregiving, be aware of the signs of burnout and actively seek support. Respite care is among your potential options.
(If you're caring for a loved one with dementia, you may also be interested in learning more about burnout and other specific kinds of resources available to you.)
What Is Respite Care?
Respite care gives caretakers a chance to relax and take a break from the responsibility of providing full-time care to loved ones who are aging or disabled. Respite programs offer short-term replacement care. These providers will step in for a short period to take on the responsibility of caring for your loved one.
The types of care you can expect them to take on may include the following:
- Bathing and dressing
- Cooking and cleaning
- Helping your loved one eat, drink, and take their medication
- Getting into and out of bed
- Assistance with the restroom
- Spending quality time with your loved one
- Helping with exercise and personal care
How Much Does Respite Care Services Cost?
The cost of respite care varies depending on how long you use the service. You can schedule respite care for several days, weeks, months, or longer.
Who Pays for Respite Care?
Private insurance will typically not cover respite care, unfortunately. If your loved one is covered by Medicare or Medicaid, you may be able to secure five consecutive days of respite care. Your loved one must be receiving hospice care benefits for Medicare to cover respite care.
Finding Respite Care
Several organizations provide respite care. If your family member is covered by Medicaid, you can speak to a Medicaid planner in your state to determine what programs may be available. As mentioned above, Medicare covers respite care under its hospice benefit.
If your loved one isn't covered by Medicare or Medicaid, don’t worry; there are private organizations that provide this service. These organizations include:
- National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA)
- Your Area Agency on Aging (AAA)
In addition, you may want to connect with a qualified elder law attorney in your area to talk through your options. A professional can help you how to pay for respite care, how your loved one might qualify for Medicaid, and more. Search online for an elder law attorney near you.
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Elder Law 100 Pinewood Lane Suite #303, Warrendale, Pennsylvania, 15086Our Firm Prepares You for Life What makes our firm different is that we were built with the needs of growing families in mind. We understand you are BUSY, you are growing, you are planning for a life of prosperity and you value ease, convenience and efficiency. You are raising children, and caring for elderly parents, while also working hard to build your own nest egg for a lifetime of support. You want to know youve made the best decisions for your family and that your plan will work when your loved ones need it most. You want to make sure your minor children would be raised by the people you choose, and never by anyone you wouldnt want, and that your teens and adult children are properly prepared to care for you and what you leave behind. You want to feel confident that youve made the right choices, and handled everything so that you arent leaving behind a mess, when something happens. That is our focus as well. Weve developed unique systems to give you the same access to a Personal Family Lawyer as was previously only available to the super-wealthy, so you can have the guidance you need to build and maintain a life of prosperity and wealth. And, to keep your family out of court and out of conflict, which is the greatest risk to the people you love and all you have created, even if youve already worked with a traditional lawyer or created documents online. Our Team Is Here for You We encourage communication with our clients. In fact, weve thrown out the time clocks so you never have to be afraid to call with a quick question. Everything we do is billed on a flat-fee basis, agreed to in advance, so there are never any surprises. We have a whole team to serve you. When you call our office to ask your quick question, you wont have to wait hours or days for a phone call back. Youll get your question answered, right away. And, if you need to schedule a more in-depth legal or strategic call with your Personal Family Lawyer, a call will be scheduled when you're both available and ready for the call so we can make the very best use of your time and not waste your time by leaving voicemail after voicemail back and forth. And, we ensure the most important details of your planning are followed through on and your plan continues to work throughout your lifetime. We have a funding coordinator to ensure your assets are owned the right way throughout your lifetime and none of your assets will end up going through a long, expensive court process or being lost to the state because they were missed after your death. Weve created unique membership programs to keep your plan up to date year in and year out as well as give you access to our Trusted Team of Legal Experts for guidance on ANY legal or financial matter. One day you will need a lawyer. I dont know why and I dont know when, but when you do, you will be grateful you can call on us and well be here to advise you or get you out of a jam. We Help You Transfer Your Life and Legacy Lastly, we believe your financial wealth is only a small part of your overall Life and Legacy Planning which is made up of your far more valuable and most often lost upon incapacity or death intellectual, spiritual and human assets. These assets are what make you who you are, and sum up whats most important to you. And, a survey of inheritors has revealed that what they care about even more than inheriting your money, is inheriting these intangible assets. Most estate plans only focus on the transfer of your financial wealth to the next generation. Most people have such great intentions of passing on the intangible, but very few ever get around to it. Its just not a priority, until its too late. How much do you know about your grandparents values? Their most prized personal possessions? How they felt about you? What they had learned during their lifetime? If you are like most people, you know very little. Thats why we build the capture and passage of these most valuable assets into every estate plan we create. Not only will we help you pass on your money, but also your values, your insights, your stories and your experience the truly valuable assets your loved ones care about the most. Weve developed a tool that allows us to capture and pass on your whole family wealth, including your Intellectual, Spiritual and Human assets. I cant go into all of the details here, but well definitely talk about it when you come in for your Life and Legacy Planning Session.