What is respite care?

Caregivers face many challenges. Caregiving is a demanding task, and it is easy to neglect your own health and well being when you are involved with your loved one's needs. Caregivers need time off from their caregiving responsibilities to relieve stress and prevent burnout. Effective, sustainable caregiving depends on meeting the caregiver's own needs for nurture, reassurance, support and periodic respite.

Respite care provides time off for family members who care for someone who is ill, injured or frail. It can take place in an adult day center, in the home of the person being cared for, or even in a residential setting such as an assisted living facility or nursing home. Although there are different approaches to respite care, all have the same basic objective; to provide caregivers with planned temporary, intermittent, substitute care, allowing for relief from the daily responsibilities of caring for the care recipient. Respite care is essential for all caregivers, whether they work in a caregiving facility or at home with family members or close friends.

Dangers of burnout

Caregivers are at increased risk of depression and other symptoms of distress. Perhaps you feel guilty because you think you aren't doing enough, and you're frustrated that you can't do more. If you're feeling depressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, that's understandable - this is a difficult time for you…and help is available.

The symptoms of burnout are very similar to those of depression. In fact, the two conditions often contribute to one another. Are you experiencing:

• Persistent symptoms of depression
• Constant anxiety, irritability, or anger
• Feelings of detachment, numbness, or exhaustion
• Continuous self-criticism
• Withdrawal from usual activities
• Negligence or hatred of caregiving responsibilities
• Trouble at work or in relationships
• Substance abuse

Care for the caregiver tips

Here are ways you can care for yourself while caring for others.

• Schedule regular afternoons or evenings out.
• If you can't leave and friends can't come over, take time each day for a phone conversation with a friend or family member. Even a brief chat can lift your spirits.
• Eat nutritious meals. Don't give in to stress-driven urges for sweets or drink too much alcohol.
• Get enough sleep. If you are kept up at night, try a nap during the day to make up some sleep.
• Exercise regularly, even if it means finding someone else to provide care while you walk or go to exercise class.
• Make a list of jobs you need help with and seek out someone to assist you. This could include household chores, home repair or maintenance, driving, paying bills, or finding information on services you need.
• If possible, arrange for adult day care for your loved one. This will you give you time for errands and personal time as well as provide health monitoring, transportation, nursing care and therapeutic recreation for your care recipient.
• Join a support group. You don't even have to leave the house for meetings. For homebound caregivers, Internet-based support groups are a blessing.
• Draw strength from your faith. Even home visits from a member of your church or synagogue are a way to keep you in touch.
• Take time to pamper yourself. Take a warm bath, light candles…find a time to relax each day.
• Plan a weekend getaway or a weeklong vacation.
• Hire a temporary caregiver from a respite care program.

Questions to ask about 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?

How can support groups help?

Caregiver support groups can help alleviate the stress and strain of caregiving. Support groups allow you to meet others in situations much like yours. You can talk, vent, and exchange tips and hints with people who understand. For those who cannot easily leave home, there are online message boards and forums that can provide much-needed support.

Respite care provides a break for you and care for your loved one. With respite care, you can feel safe leaving your loved one while you run errands, shop, or just relax; more extensive respite care can allow you to continue working outside your home or help you juggle caring for your children and an elderly adult.

Above all, remember to keep in touch with yourself. If you are sick, exhausted, or overworked, you can't provide good care for anyone. Caregiving is an act of love, but is also a demanding, challenging job. No one can handle it alone. Getting help for yourself is one of the best things you can do for your loved one, and it will enable you to keep giving top-quality care.

If you neglect yourself, you are putting your loved one at risk - taking time for yourself will also benefit your care recipient.