Types of care
Respite care
Respite care is short-term care that gives a family caregiver a break. It can last a few hours or several weeks. It can happen at home, in a care facility, or at an adult day center. Someone else cares for the person so the caregiver can rest, travel, or attend to other needs.
Why it matters for your family
Family caregivers often skip rest until they are worn out. Respite care protects their health and helps them keep caring for a loved one longer. Options include a relative stepping in, an aide who visits a few hours a week, an adult day program, or a short stay in a care community. Plan ahead. Try a respite provider before an emergency so the person gets used to the new helper. A common mistake is waiting until a crisis. Coverage varies. Medicare covers most costs of some hospice respite stays, and most private insurance does not pay for respite.
Source: nia.nih.gov
Related terms
- Caregiver burnoutCaregiver burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that can come from long-term caregiving stress.
- Family caregiverA family caregiver is a relative, partner, friend, or neighbor who gives unpaid help to someone with an illness, disability, or age-related needs.
- Adult day careAdult day care is a community program that gives adults supervised daytime care outside the home.
- Hospice careHospice care is end-of-life care for people with an illness that cannot be cured.
- Area Agency on Aging (AAA)An Area Agency on Aging is a public or private nonprofit agency that a state designates to meet the needs of older adults in a local area.
- Caregiver stressCaregiver stress is the physical and emotional strain that comes from caring for another person over time.
