Caring Web

Investigate Respite Care

careCaregivers often feel burned out from the stress of caregiving. Respite care may provide a needed break for caregivers to rejuvenate themselves.

There are three types of respite to consider, depending on the length of time or service requested:

Home Health Aides (HHA) can provide respite services in the home for short periods of time. Caregivers may choose this type of respite care, if they need a couple of hours to visit friends, go to a movie, and/or do grocery shopping.

Adult Day Care Services provide community based services to groups of people in the local area.

Here are several questions to ask and consider when choosing an adult day care center:

- Is it convenient and accessible?
- Does it provide transportation?
- Are its service hours convenient for you?
- How much does it cost? Is financial assistance available?
- Are there a variety of planned recreational and social activities?
- How does the staff handle a person's unwillingness to actively participate in these activities?
- Are there hidden expenses, such as craft supplies or outing fees?
- What is the policy on late arrival or late pick-up?
- What is the ratio of staff to participants?
- What training does the staff have?
- Are the staff and facility neat and orderly?

Nursing Home Placement is the final option available. For respite services, the length of stay is generally limited to 14 days. The same procedure must be followed as for a long-term placement.

Questions you would ask if looking for long term care:

- Does the staff treat residents respectfully at all times?
- Are residents dressed appropriately and well groomed?
- What efforts does staff make to meet the needs of each resident?
- What activities are planned to meet the needs of individual residents?
- Is the food attractive and tasty? Some facilities will allow you to sample a meal.
- How does the staff respond to calls for assistance?
- How are residents and family involved in resident care planning?
- What therapies can the facility provide (physical, occupational, and/or speech therapy)?
- What type of arrangement does the nursing home have with a nearby hospital?
- Is the facility clean? Are spills and other accidents cleaned up quickly?
- Are the hallways free of clutter and well lighted?
- What is the staff to patient ratio?
- What are the results of the latest inspections, and is a list of the resident rights posted?

Nursing home social workers can assist/direct you with completing any of the necessary paperwork and assessments that need to be completed prior to the admission for respite care.

You can Click here to learn more about Respite Care

Last Updated: 6/27/22