Caring for an aging family member at home is a tremendous show of love and loyalty. Some people have the circumstances to take on the enormous task; others do not. We have a number of other articles on our blog that can help families decide whether care at home is right for your loved one. If you are caring for an older adult, what happens when you need a break? Maybe an emergency comes up suddenly, or you need to get away for your own emotional stability. In comes Respite Care.
What is Respite Care?
Dictionary.com defines the word respite as, “to relieve temporarily, especially from anything distressing or trying; give an interval of relief from.” In this case, no matter how much you love your family member, caring for them can be trying. Respite Care is a specific type of care offered by many Assisted Living facilities and Board & Care homes with the goal of giving full time caregivers temporary relief. These short-term stays in care facilities can be a godsend, just the refreshment you need to continue caring for your loved one and maintain your own sanity.
Technically, respite care can be as short as a few hours in an adult daycare center. However, most of the time the term is used to refer to a stay in a care facility that lasts a few weeks or months. If you are considering this type of care for your loved one, here are a few things to keep in mind.
| Price Range | $150 – $500 / day |
| Average Price | $260 / day |
Limitations of Respite Care
Not All Assisted Living facilities Offer Respite Care. Bringing new residents into a home is a long process with tons of paperwork. For some facilities, short term stays aren’t worth the hassle. But there are many homes that recognize the need for short term stays and are glad to offer the service to families. Even then, it’s important to shop around. Each home has different benefits to offer, as well as restrictions to their services.
Minimum Stays. Very few places will offer respite just for the weekend. Most homes have a minimum stay required, sometimes two weeks or a month. Since cost is calculated by the day, if you need Respite Care for more than a couple months, it may be more cost effective to move your loved one into a home long-term and bring them home when you are ready.
Make Sure You Have Furniture. Some facilities have furnished rooms for Respite stays, or they have extra furniture available to use (possibly for a small fee). Others don’t. You may choose to bring your own furniture or to rent some from a rental center. Either way, make sure this is covered before moving your family member in.
If you’re wondering how you can find out which home will offer you the Respite Care that best fits your needs, give us a call at (619) 660-8814. We keep in contact with the homes in the San Diego and Orange County areas and know what each of them is able to provide. Just let us know what you’re looking for and where, and we’ll send you the short list. Then, you’ll have a less overwhelming number of places to compare.
Explaining the Move to Your Loved One
Depending on the mental state of your family member, this may be the hardest part. Some may consider their Respite stay as their own mini-vacation. Many facilities for Assisted Living are like resorts, with a full calendar of fun activities, salons, and movie theaters. But sometimes, family members feel abandoned or might think you find them a nuisance that has to be gotten rid of. Older adults with cognitive decline may not handle changes well or could become disoriented in unfamiliar environments.
Be empathetic. Show that you understand their feelings and concerns.
Be patient. Maybe on another day, they will be in a better mindset to discuss the question. They may, also, warm up to the idea, especially if you take them to tour the place they will be staying.
Don’t feel guilty. You love your family member. You take excellent care of them. The occasional Respite stay is what you need to continue.
It can be challenging to find the right place to care for your loved one while you’re away. That’s why we’re here. If you’re looking for Respite Care in the San Diego or Orange County area, we’ll help you find the facility that matches your needs, so you can get the rest you need to keep going and be the best caregiver you can be.