Serving as a caregiver is a loving job, but a tough one. The mental, physical and emotional toll of caregiving can result in caregiver burnout if you don’t take time to prioritize your own needs every now and then. In fact, 23% of unpaid American caregivers report that the strain of caregiving has made their own health worse. Enter respite care. Respite care takes many forms, but all of them were designed with the caregiver in mind.
Types of respite care
Respite care is exactly what it sounds like — care services that provide a brief reprieve of responsibilities for the primary caregiver. Respite care can be as casual as tapping into friends and other family members for additional support while you run errands or go to work, or you can look into professional care providers including adult day centers, in-home care providers or residential care services.
In-home care providers can bring support services directly to your loved one, whether that’s help with housekeeping or more advanced medical care provided by professional home health aides. Adult day centers are community centers that offer safe and engaging programming for seniors during the day. And residential respite care offers short-term stays at senior living communities, complete with all the same services and amenities enjoyed by full-time residents.
Health Conditions Supported by Respite Care
While there are some respite care services that cater specifically to those with Alzheimer’s and related dementias, in general, respite care can be beneficial if you are concerned about leaving your loved one alone. In addition to helping with daily tasks, respite care providers can typically assist your loved one with medical conditions that can be supported by licensed nurses or certified nursing assistants.
Certified respite care providers can help with:
- Activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing and eating
- Assistance with medication
- Catheter and injection assistance
- Wound care
Paying for Respite Care
The cost of respite care will depend upon the type of care and number of hours or days of care provided. Adult day centers, for instance, might charge by the hour or by the day, while the hourly rate for in-home care providers will vary based on the type of skill required. And the cost of residential respite care tends to be comparable to the daily market rate for skilled nursing care.
While most respite care options are private pay and not generally covered by Medicaid or Medicare, there are certain circumstances where individuals may qualify for additional support:
- Veterans Benefits. The VA offers up to 30 days of residential respite care at certain locations. Veterans and survivors receiving a VA pension might also be eligible for respite care assistance through the Aid and Attendance benefit.
- Medicaid. While Medicaid general benefits do not cover respite care, some states have waiver programs available that can help cover the cost.
- Medicare. Medicare does not cover the cost of respite care, however, there is available coverage when a respite stay is used in conjunction with .
Respite Care Services at The Waterford
The Waterford offers residential respite care services in Juno Beach, Florida. If you or your loved one are going out of town, experiencing caregiver burnout, or simply in need of a break, we offer compassionate care from qualified professionals within our on-site health center.
During their stay, your loved one will enjoy the same dining options and programming choices as our full-time residents, not to mention the company of fellow residents and the availability of 24/7 skilled nursing care. Our goal is to meet or exceed the needs of our residents and guests alike. Some of our respite care guests enjoy their time in our community so much they decide to move here!
If you or your loved one could benefit from our respite care services, please reach out through the form below or by calling us at 561-627-3800. Our team would be happy to discuss how we can best support you.
