Respite Support for Care Givers

Caring for a family member or other loved one with a health problem, disability, or the frailty of aging can be, for all parties, a blessing and a difficulty, rewarding and disappointing, satisfying and stressful. Sickness, disability and aging are not choices, but parts of life with which people cope at their own level of capacity, energy and ability.

The adjustments involved in caring for, or being cared for by another, often result in isolation, frustration and stress that may be overwhelming. The support of friends, family members and loved ones may be of great benefit to the care giver or receiver. Agency and community support are often instrumental in maintaining an elderly or disabled person at home with a primary caregiver.

When asked what help they need in maintaining family integrity and the energy to provide ongoing support, family members very often identify respite care. Respite care is temporary relief from the care of a person with special needs. It may be provided on a short or long-term basis, in or out of the home.

Who Can Benefit From Respite Care?

The benefits of respite are often experienced by the person giving care, but there are many parties who may benefit from a well-designed respite care arrangement. Certainly the person with the primary responsibility for care giving needs a periodic break to do things for him or herself. Respite may allow a married couple time to spend together doing something special. It may give the sibling of a child with a disability the chance to have time alone with a parent. The person receiving care may also benefit from time away from parents or other primary care givers.

Often individuals with health needs and disabilities clamor for more variety in relationships, experiences and places to spend time.

Sally has lived with her parents for all of her 28 years. Unlike her sister and brother who live in other states Sally has never had an opportunity to leave home. In fact she likes it there just fine. She has her own room and entertainment center. She has a program she attends most weekdays. What Sally desires is time away from home on a regular basis. More time away than the occasional visits with her sister and brother and their families. Living Innovations met with the family and designed a respite package that offers Sally six long weekends a year with a respite provider (someone her own age) with whom she can shop, cook, bike and hang out. Sally's parents use the time to be together at home and to take mini-vacations.

Who Provides Respite Care?

Many individuals, couples and families sign up to be respite providers for Living Innovations. Some are already licensed home providers caring for a disabled person in their home. Individuals working as direct care providers for our agency or in other human service settings often supplement their income by providing respite care. Others are recruited, screened and hired after finding out about the concept through an advertisement, newspaper article or our web site. Often families recruit their own help and use our agency as the employer for the purposes of training, payroll, benefits, and supervision.

How are Providers Hired and Trained?

Living Innovations is continuously recruiting staff for a variety of positions. We have a comprehensive screening process for all applicants that includes interviews and inquiries into criminal record, driving record and work history. Once qualified, all employees are required to participate in an orientation and a core curriculum of training. Employees also are given training specific to the individuals they will support.

Some of the people we serve have specialized and even extraordinary needs. Therefore, providing respite for some individuals might require licensing as a nurse, LNA, or Personal Care Support Provider. Providers may need specific training to deal with difficult behavior or specific medical concerns.

We have found that usually the parents or primary caregivers want to be very involved in training their respite workers. Many will even write out specific instructions.

How is Respite Care Arranged and Paid For?

A simple call to Living Innovations is the first step in arranging respite. We will meet with you to get acquainted with your unique situation, desires, and needs. A plan and schedule for in-home or out-of home respite will be developed. You can also let us know the extent to which you would like to be involved in the hiring process.

We may already have staff that are suitable to your request, or we may have to recruit specifically for you. Our goal is always to make a match with which you are very comfortable. Another aim is to have the same staff provide respite each time.

While we will be providing on-going training and supervision for respite staff we are counting on a close working relationship with you to ensure your satisfaction.

Services are billed bi-weekly on an hourly or overnight basis. There are public sources of funding for respite care to which we may be able to direct you. Many individuals and families pay for the support themselves or use a combination of benefits, public, and private funds.

A Final Note...

Many caregivers have recognized that respite not only plays an essential role in supporting families, but also provides benefits for all of the parties involved. Providing and receiving care can be a challenging situation. A period of separation and rest allows family members to renew and keep perspective on their ongoing loving care.