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Spousal
Caregiving and the Benefits of Respite
Respite is pronounced (Res-pit) and it simply means a period of REST.
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In-Home Care by Texas Region
Spousal caregiving can
often lead to significant changes in a marital relationship leaving the family caregiver feeling overwhelmed and stressed. This can be compounded if the caregiver is also taking over responsibilities that were once handled solely by their ailing spouse from cooking and doing laundry, to balancing the checkbook, and heading up the financial decisions.
A study of elderly spousal caregivers (aged 66-96) found that caregivers who experience caregiving-related stress have a 63% higher mortality rate than non-caregivers of the same age.
Respite care provides short term breaks that relieve stress, restore energy, and promote balance in your life.
Arranging for respite provides the caregiver the opportunity to have someone look after their
spouse allowing them to "recharge" their batteries mentally and physically.
Respite
is a vital resource especially for a spouse caring for a loved
one with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's Disease or any other condition which requires constant care.
Signs
that spousal caregiving may be becoming too difficult:
- Missing or delaying your own doctor appointments
- Ignoring your own health problems or symptoms
- Not eating a healthy diet for lack of time
- Overusing tobacco and alcohol when you feel stressed
- Giving up exercise habits for lack of time
- Losing sleep
- Losing connections with friends for lack of time to socialize
- Bottling up feelings of anger and frustration and then being surprised by angry, even violent, outbursts directed at your spouse, other family members, co-workers - even strangers
- Feeling sad, down, depressed or hopeless
- Loss of energy
- Lacking interest in things that used to give you (and your spouse) pleasure
- Feeling resentful toward your spouse
- Blaming your spouse for the situation
- Feeling that people ask more of you than they should
- Feeling like caregiving has affected family relationships in a negative way
- Feeling annoyed by other family members who don't help out or who criticize your care
There
are two types of Respite, In-Home and Out-of-the Home
In-home
respite care
- In-home services can be provided by volunteer or paid help,
occasionally or on a regular basis. Services may last from a few hours to overnight, and may be
arranged directly or through an agency.
This popular respite choice enables individuals to remain in
their own environments, and can be invaluable for caregivers.
- Stimulation, recreation, and companionship can be provided
by family members, friends, or neighbors while you take a break.
Faith-based, community, and other non-profit organizations recruit
volunteers, while home-care businesses provide trained staff to cover short
in-home intervals.
- Personal care providers assist with daily living skills such
as bathing, dressing, feeding, or toileting. Homemaker services support meal preparation, shopping, and housekeeping. Skilled health care, which requires more specialized training and experience,
addresses medical needs.
Out-of-home
respite care programs
- Adult day centers
are designed for older adults who can no longer manage
independently, or who are isolated and lonely. Planned activities promote
well-being though social and health services. Adult day care centers operate
during daytime hours, Monday through Friday, in a safe, supportive, and
cheerful environment. Nutritious meals and afternoon snacks that
accommodate special diets are typically included.
- Residential
programs offer temporary care for varying lengths of time. Group homes,
hospitals, nursing homes, and other specialized facilities provide emergency
and planned overnight services, allowing caretakers 24-hour
relief. Although medical insurance
generally does not cover overnight
respite, long term care policies and veterans programs may subsidize care.
- Caregiver
retreats and respite camps are available in some areas, combining respite
with education and peer support.
Availability varies from state
to state and may be disability specific.
Questions to ask respite
care programs
- How are care providers screened?
- What is the training and level of experience of the care providers?
- Will care providers need additional training to meet specific family needs?
- How, and by whom, are the care providers supervised?
- What procedures does the program have for emergencies?
- Are families limited to a certain number of hours of services?
- Does the program provide transportation?
- What is the cost of services? How is payment arranged?
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