In-Home Respite Care Services

If you’re caring for an aging family member, have a child with special needs or a spouse with complex medical issues, you may feel physically and emotionally drained at the end of the day. And that’s okay. 

Yet, many family caregivers feel guilty for being exhausted. They often feel they should be at their loved one’s side at all times. But that can lead to severe burnout which ultimately reduces their effectiveness as a caregiver. In-home respite care can be the answer.

What is Respite Care?

Respite care is temporary relief provided by a professional caregiver to give the family caregiver time to address their personal needs, physical health, emotional well-being and tend to other responsibilities. 

Although there are respite care homes where your loved one can stay, in-home respite care allows them to be surrounded by the sights and sounds they’re familiar with. Ranging from just a few hours to multiple days (or even weeks), an in-home caregiver can provide convenient respite relief so you can recharge your own battery.

What are some of the signs and symptoms you may be burned out and need a brief break?

• Irritability and impatience 
• Frequent anxiety (specific or generalized) 
• Resentment about your caregiving responsibilities 
• Physical exhaustion and aches 
• Mental fatigue and trouble concentrating 
• Changes in normal sleep patterns 
• Lack of motivation and feeling overwhelmed 
• Diminished interest in activities and people 
• Taking out your frustration on others 
• Reduced effectiveness at work or home 
• Neglecting your own basic needs and medical care

Benefits of Respite Care for Caregivers

• Relaxation. Taking time to relax is essential for human health. Stress is a leading cause of many health problems, including anxiety, fatigue, and depression. Stress can also lead to high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attacks. This is why it is so important to take the time to unwind and recharge your batteries. Some caregivers feel guilty if they take some time for themselves, as they think that their loved one will be neglected. With respite care, you can take a break from your responsibilities and relax in peace without worrying about caring for someone else. This means that you are less likely to become stressed, which is beneficial for both your physical and mental health. You will be able to put your best foot forward when caring for your loved one and be better equipped to handle the responsibilities of caregiving.
• More Energy. Having a break from caregiving can give you a boost of energy. As a caregiver, it is easy to become tired due to the heavy workload and long hours. When you are tired, it is more likely that you will make mistakes, which can put your loved one’s health in danger. Taking some time to rest and recharge will give you the energy you need to perform at your best and keep your loved one safe. You will also be better able to tackle everyday tasks with ease. Respite care makes it easy to stay on top of your duties and be a better caregiver. 
• Social Engagement. Caregiving can be an isolating experience. You may spend most of your time caring for your loved one, which makes it nearly impossible to participate in social excursions. Isolation can have negative effects on your mood and even your physical health. Respite care can give you the opportunity to spend time with family and friends, have meaningful conversations, and engage in activities that you enjoy. This will be beneficial for your mental health, as it allows you to build relationships with people outside of your caregiving responsibilities.
• Increased Self-Confidence. When you successfully take a break from your caregiver duties, it can give you a renewed sense of self-confidence. It can help to remind you that you are capable of taking care of yourself and that your needs should be taken care of as well. Knowing that you have taken the time to relax and recharge can also boost your self-esteem, which is beneficial for your overall mental health.
• Peace of Mind. Taking care of your loved one can lead to anxiety and worry. With respite care, you can rest assured that your loved one will be in safe hands and get the best possible care. This will provide peace of mind for both you and your loved one, which can lead to a better quality of life.
• Able to Complete Tasks. Caregiving is a big job, and it can eat up lots of time. This makes it difficult for caregivers to take care of their own needs, such as errands or appointments. With respite care, you will be able to complete all the tasks that need to be done without feeling overwhelmed. This can make your life a lot easier and give you more control over your day-to-day activities. You won't have to worry about choosing between caring for your loved one or doing your laundry.

The Need for Respite is Real

Report after report tells the story of a nation brimming with caregiver burnout. But it’s not all bad news. According to A Look at U.S. Caregivers’ Mental Health(Opens in a new window), released in July of 2023 by AARP Research, 82% of survey participants indicated that providing family caregiving “gives a sense of purpose or meaning” to their life. 

This study also highlighted the downside of this sense of purpose. While 56% of respondents stated that being a caregiver makes it difficult for them to care for their own mental health, another 23% indicated it affects their ability to be attentive to their physical health. 

The effect spills over into caregivers’ work lives, according to The Support for Family Caregiving(Opens in a new window) study conducted in April 2023 by the bipartisan polling team of Fabrizio Ward and Impact Research for AARP among a sample of U.S. registered voters. 

The report showed that 67% of those polled experience emotional stress about missing an important event, while 65% are concerned about balancing work, family and caregiving responsibilities. 

Because so many family caregivers feel that their role is meaningful – yet they’re experiencing stress and burnout – respite care is an impactful solution that re-energizes caregivers to continue meeting their loved ones’ needs.

How to Beat the Burnout

As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Rather than waiting until you’re already burned out and losing effectiveness in multiple aspects of your life, you can reduce the likelihood, severity and duration of caregiver burnout by scheduling respite care on a regular basis. Having respite time on your calendar – and adding more respite services if needed – can support your needs as a caregiver.

Depending on your loved one’s needs and extended family situation, you may only need respite care once a month for a few hours each time. Or perhaps you need several days in a row to travel for work or a family vacation. As your loved one’s needs change and your life evolves, the frequency and length of temporary care will change too.

If respite care is a new concept for your family – or you just want to learn more – we have numerous articles in the Resources section of our website. Here are a few to get you started:

• The Physical and Emotional Benefits of Respite Care for Caregivers 
• When Do Family Caregivers Need Respite Care?
• A Guide to Respite Care and Preventing Family Caregiver Burnout

Our In-Home Respite Care Services

You may be wondering what types of services are offered as part of respite care. Since the definition of respite care is providing temporary relief to a caregiver, the actual services will vary – but you can rest assured that our team will deliver A Higher Standard^® of care for your loved one. Respite care for seniors is the most common, but it isn’t limited to the elderly. Services offered by your locally owned BrightStar Care^® agency may include*:

• Companion Care provides basic support such as light housekeeping, transportation to and from appointments, and spending time with your loved one at home.
• Personal Care includes assistance with feeding, bathing, mobility and other tasks that your loved one is no longer able to do without your help. This is often referred to as Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
• Memory Care can be provided as part of respite relief to ensure your loved one will remain safe – physically and emotionally. At BrightStar Care, our specially trained Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care staff provide compassionate and kindhearted care.
• Skilled Nursing Care provides support for more complex medical needs, such as those who rely on in-home medical equipment such as a ventilator or for those who need a higher level of care.
• Special Needs Child Care and Pediatric Nursing provide parents with a trusted source of in-home respite care for their beloved children. This gives parents peace of mind so they can tend to other children, their own aging parents, work obligations, self-care or even some much-needed sleep.

Cost of Respite Care Services

The cost of respite care varies depending on several factors, including where you live, the type of care needed and how long you’ll need support tailored to your family’s needs. While respite care is often an out-of-pocket expense, there are some insurance options and financial assistance programs that can offset these costs. Learning more about these factors can give you a clearer idea of what options are available to you to pay for respite care.

• Factors that affect cost: Respite care costs vary based on location. For instance, if you live in a major metropolitan area or region with a higher cost of living, services may be more expensive. The type of care, such as in-home assistance vs. a care facility, as well as the level of medical or personal support required can also impact costs. The duration of care – whether it’s a few hours or a few days out of a given week – also plays a role in the cost of respite care.  
• Insurance coverage options: Medicare will only cover specific types of in-home health care. However, some long-term care insurance policies may be used to offset respite care costs. Be sure to check with your insurance provider to confirm if your policy covers respite care in-part or in-full.  
• Financial assistance programs: Some federal, state, and private organizations offer financial assistance to help cover respite care. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers respite care benefits for eligible veterans. Medicaid may also cover respite care in certain states, particularly under Home and Community Based Service (HCBS) waiver programs. Additionally, some nonprofits, such as the National Family Caregiver Support Program(Opens in a new window) and state-based councils on aging, may provide grants or subsidies for caregivers who need respite care support.

Regardless of your family’s needs and resources, BrightStar Care^® is available to help you determine the best options for your family’s unique needs.

How to Get Started

Respite care gives family caregivers a break and the peace of mind that their loved one receives high-quality care from compassionate, capable professional caregivers. Respite care options span a wide range of offerings, including personal care, companionship and skilled nursing, as needed.

The first step toward exploring respite care options is to schedule an initial consultation and assessment. At BrightStar Care, our team will be happy to meet with you to learn more about your family’s needs and how respite care can fit into your loved one’s routine.

From there, we’ll develop a personalized care plan that considers your loved one’s prior and current medical history, as well as their personal needs and preferences. We’ll tailor a plan and build a caregiving team to work with you and your loved one to offer them respite care they deserve.  In learning more about your family’s unique needs, we’ll also be able to better connect you with additional resources, like community support and educational materials.

And as your loved one’s needs change, so can your care plan. We’ll coordinate with your loved one’s broader care team and adjust their respite care plan as their condition evolves.

Why BrightStar Care^®?

We know it can be hard to take time for yourself when caring for a loved one. If you’re considering respite care services, the Director of Nursing at your local BrightStar Care agency can provide a no-obligation, in-home visit and assessment. This enables them to create a comprehensive and personalized respite care plan that accommodates your family member’s specific requirements and your unique relief needs.

Your family’s nurse-led respite care plan includes flexible scheduling with no minimum number of hours required – and adjustments can be made as needed. Our compassionate and dedicated caregivers and nurses are thoroughly background checked, screened, trained and supervised by our Director of Nursing. And you can contact us 24/7 with questions or concerns.

Delivering A Higher Standard^® of care is infused into everything we do – every day. That’s why we’re committed to following The Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals^®. When you see The Joint Commission Gold Seal, you know that the BrightStar Care location has undergone a detailed on-site review by a Joint Commission expert who confirms that they follow rigorous requirements for quality, safety and care.

Get the respite care you deserve – so you can continue caring for your loved one and enjoy every moment you spend with them.