Guide to Respite Care
By CarePatrol of Fox Cities
As a family caregiver, there will be times when the stress of life becomes overwhelming. You are working a full-time job, taking care of your own children, and then you are also the caretaker of an aging parent or relative. You might even feel like you are being pulled in a thousand different directions, but you aren’t alone.
According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, more than 34.2 million Americans provide or have provided unpaid care to an adult age 50 or older in the last year. The organization also states that most family caregivers provide more than 24.4 hours a week giving care and 1 in 4 spends 41 hours or more each week providing care.
If you are a family caregiver, there are a lot of great resources available to you. One of the most underutilized tools in your arsenal is respite care. Respite care is short-term care that is designed to provide you with time off to let you rest, take a vacation, and recharge your batteries.
To get started on finding and employing a respite care solution that’s right for you and your situation, we’ve answered a list of some of the most commonly asked questions:
1. How much does it cost?
Cost of respite care is going to vary, but there is a solution for everyone. Whether it’s finding a home care agency to come in and provide supportive care for a few hours or working with one of our assisted living partners who offer a discounted respite rate, CarePatrol can help find a respite program to fit in your budget.
2. Will insurance or Medicare cover respite care?
Not at this time, however, there is legislation that may be passed to make it a possibility, but unless you have long-term care insurance, and it’s in your policy; or you are on managed Medicaid, and the agency you work with is approving it, respite care is an out-of-pocket expense.
3. How do I know which respite care is right for me?
There is a lot of information about respite care, and it can be overwhelming, but that is where CarePatrol can help. I’ve worked with families like yours, in similar situations, helping them find a respite care provider that works for them.
4. Do I have to pay to workwith CarePatrol?
No. We are a FREE service. Our partners pay a fee, so you can focus on what’s most important, taking care of you and your family.
5. What if I feel guilty about using respite care?
It’s hard to tell you not to feel a certain way about any situation, but what I can tell you, from personal experience is that if you aren’t taking care of yourself, you won’t be any good to those you are taking care of. When I was taking care of my mom, I struggled just like you. The first time I used respite care, I was nervous, apprehensive, confident I was doing the wrong thing, that I was selfish. But, my mom had an enjoyable time with her respite caregiver, and I was refreshed and recharged. A total win-win.
Whether it’s for a few hours or afew days, take time away. By working with CarePatrol, I can help provide you with peace-of-mind, knowing that your loved one is taken care of.
Family Caregiving – Getting some help