Articles:

An estimated 44 million Americans provide support in the home to older people and adults with disabilities.   Studies show that caregivers are not always prepared for this role and try to provide care with little or no support, often leading to their own emotional and physical distress.   A respite, or time away, from the person being cared for can be a successful self-care strategy for the caregiver.

Respite for the caregiver is very important as the psychological and physical health of the caregiver can be negatively affected by the stress of providing ongoing care.  Reports published by “The Family Caregiver Alliance” indicate the following ways that people can be affected both emotionally and physically by these, sometimes daunting, responsibilities:

EMOTIONAL HEALTH

o Caregivers exhibit higher levels of depression than their non-caregiving peers, which can lead to issues with anxiety, substance abuse and chronic disease.

o Caregivers suffer from higher levels of stress and frustration.  They describe feeling frustrated, angry, drained, guilty or helpless as a result of providing care.  This can result in low self-esteem, loss of identity, constant worry and feelings of uncertainty.  More than one-fifth of caregivers are exhausted when they go to bed and feel unable to handle their responsibilities.

PHYSICAL HEALTH

o Caregivers have worse physical health than their overall peer group and they report that their caregiving responsibilities have contributed to a general decline in health.  They have an increased likelihood of physical ailments, higher levels of obesity, and lower immune response

o Caregivers have an increased risk of heart disease and are at risk for cardiovascular issues such as heart disease and high blood pressure

o Caregivers have lower levels of self-care than their peers.  They are less likely to take preventative health precautions and generally lack the energy to take care of themselves

o Caregivers have a higher mortality rate than their non-caregiving peers 

Respite is a temporary, short-term break from the demands of providing constant care, promoting emotional and physical health as well as family stability. It can be anything from a few hours a week to a few weeks or longer. This approach gives the  caregiver some time to himself to go shopping, see a movie, make appointments or just take a nap.  With this added time, he can take care of medical appointments that have been delayed or attend to home and work responsibilities that have been building up.  It can also allow for more extended time away such as a much needed family vacation.   In short, a respite allows the caregiver time to “recharge his batteries” so that he is better prepared to provide the attention and patience required on a daily basis.

Some short-term respite solutions include the following:

o Enlisting another family member, neighbor, or friend to stay with the loved one for a few hours several times a week

o Planning a scheduled respite for the loved one at a care center

o Involving the loved one in a day care program

o Hiring care providers through local home service companies

Often caregivers feel guilty about leaving a loved one in someone else’s care.  But, in addition to the caregiver benefits, respite can also provide a benefit to the person being cared for by providing an alternative social outlet for the person.  So, by seeking a respite, the caregiver is also helping his loved one. 

If you are caring for someone and you need help finding resources in your area, you can contact your local Agency on Aging.  The agency can usually direct you to any services that may be available in your area.  They can also provide information on what types of costs Medicare and Medi-Cal will cover.   Other resources for locating the right respite solutions for your situation include the local chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association, Easter Seals or mental health agency.  Care management companies such as Bates Care Management can also be instrumental in helping you to come up with solutions.  These organizations provide assistance in sorting through the challenges that come with caring for an older adult.

So, go ahead and make a decision today to plan for the respite you so richly deserve and need.  You will be glad you did!