It’s common for adult children and other relatives to spend a great deal of time providing one-on-one care to a family member or friend due to their age or a medical condition. This type of dedication makes a big difference in the life of someone who needs ongoing support, but being a caregiver is also physically and emotionally tiring. It can interfere with personal plans or work, or simply create stress for the caregivers.
Respite care is designed to alleviate the burden on caregivers, giving them a break from their responsibilities. It provides a type of short-term relief from the day-to-day requirements that caregivers provide. This versatile service can be employed for as short as a few hours and as long as several weeks or months. Longer stays are actually more common in respite care, as short-term care is typically provided by adult day care facilities.
Wellness Benefits of Respite Care
The goal of respite care is to provide caregivers with the ability to step away from providing assistance to attend to their own needs – whether that’s mental health, a vacation or work obligations. In some situations, it is necessary for just one day or even a few hours a day. Many caregivers use respite care as a one-time service, such as when they need to travel out of town, while others employ respite care one or more days every week. In the latter scenario, adult day care is also a viable option.
The wellness benefits of respite care are comprehensive for both caregivers and the people they’re assisting on a daily basis. For caregivers, respite care provides a necessary break where they can relax and ensure their other obligations are met. For the individual who needs care, there is professional, supportive help that meets their needs.
Respite care can happen in a person’s home, but it’s more common for respite care to take place in a supportive location that has a trained team available to meet the needs of the individual. Health care facilities, senior living communities and adult day cares are all locations where someone could receive respite care.
Amenities Offered at Respite Care Locations
A person who needs respite care can expect to find a variety of amenities available in these supportive living environments. The type of amenities range widely, but typically go beyond simple health care or supportive services. Often, there are activities, fitness programs and mentally stimulating games for individuals or groups. The location itself is also designed to be accessible for individuals with different mobility levels. The environment is warm and welcoming, creating a friendly atmosphere where people can make friends and pursue their interests.
Amenities may also differ based on how long a person spends at the location. For example, there may be only a handful of things to do when an individual spends only a few hours a day in respite care. For individuals who are present for weeks or months, there’s a greater level of comradery and structure available. It’s easy to connect with fellow short- or long-term residents to make new friends, share stories and compare interests.
Services Offered During Respite Care
The most common services offered in respite care revolve around daily activities. These may include assistance with:
- Getting dressed
- Eating
- Showering or bathing
- Personal hygiene
- Transferring
- Managing medications
Assistance with other daily living activities (ADLs), such as toileting, is also typically included. In some situations, respite care will include meals and general health monitoring. Some locations provide physical therapy and other types of needs. Transportation to doctor’s appointments may also be provided. Many times, the flexibility of these programs is an important benefit.
Respite Care Cost and Pricing
As with other types of support, respite care cost will depend on the care provider, how long a person needs to remain at the location and the types of services provided. There are over 900 respite care providers in Florida, each with their own pricing. Depending on your location and needs, you could see monthly costs for Port St. Lucie respite care ranging from $6,500 to over $19,000.
These costs may seem high, but many locations that offer respite care are also prepared to help with other specialized needs, such as rehabilitation. The high quality of skilled and licensed care often influences pricing.
In some situations, there is help from medical health insurance plans, long term care plans and Medicare. However, if you expect to need respite care for long-term stays on a fairly regular basis, you may want to consider other support options, such as an assisted living or memory care community.
Not Sure If Respite Care Is Right for You?
Finding the right care for your needs and those of a someone you’re caring for can seem challenging, but by evaluating respite care and other senior living options, you can find a solution for your unique needs. It is important to compare the differences in short-term support as well as long-term care communities to determine which is the best fit for immediate needs as well as long term goals.
At The Cabana at Jensen Dunes, we work with you to help you find the level of care and support necessary for yourself and your family. We offer long-term supportive living services including assisted living or memory care. Contact us today to learn more about the options available to you.