respite care

 Respite care provides short-term relief for primary caregivers, giving them time to rest, travel, or spend time with other family and friends. The care may last anywhere from a few hours to several weeks at a time. Respite care can take place at home, in a health care facility, or at an adult day care center. 

Types and Benefits of respite care:

• Informal respite care: Family members, friends, or neighbors can step in to care for your relative for short periods—either for no cost or a small fee.
• In-home respite care: A professional caregiver comes to the home, allowing your family member to stay comfortably in their own environment. 
• Adult day centers:  Offer a safe and engaging place for your care recipient to stay during the day while you manage other responsibilities. These facilities may be standalone or located within senior centers or other community-based organizations. At an adult day center, your family member can get personal assistance and supervision as well as social and recreational activities, meals, and certain health services. 
• Residential or facility-based respite care: Short-term, overnight stays are usually available in assisted living or nursing home facilities. This may be a good option if you need respite care for several days or longer—for example, if you’re going out of town for a wedding.
•  Pediatric Respite care:  Ensure that eligible families are supported by developing resources to alleviate the pressures of parenting children with special needs. The service focuses on utilizing competent resources to provide a continuum of care while offering flexibility to ensure the needs of parents and children are met. 
•  Respite Care can be helpful to Veterans of all ages, and their caregiver.  
• Offer to stay with the individual for one afternoon a week, for example, so the primary caregiver can have some personal time.
• Arrange for regular respite care in the form of an in-home aide, or an adult day care program.
• Travel to stay with the individual for a few days so the primary caregiver can take a vacation or just have some time off.
• Caregiver is present with the individual in their home, or to accompany the individual when outside of the home, and to monitor the individual's safety and well-being.