What is Respite Care?

The National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP report that there are more than 42 million adults caring for someone over the age of 50. The estimated value of that unpaid labor is around $470 billion. Serving as a caregiver, even for someone you love unconditionally, can take a toll mentally, physically and emotionally. Respite care is an opportunity for caregivers to reset.

As the name implies, respite care is a type of care that provides a break to caregivers. And who is more deserving of an occasional break than a devoted caregiver? At Edgemere Dallas, we are happy to offer residential respite care services that provide caregivers a much-needed reprieve, but before we dive into our services, let’s discuss the different respite care options and their benefits.

Types of Respite Care

Depending on your needs and those of your loved one, there are different types of respite care available. Some options might cater specifically to those who require memory assistance, while other options might only be available a few days a week. Types of respite care include:

• Adult day centers. Adult day centers typically operate during business hours and offer specialized programming and social opportunities in a safe environment. Rates and hours of operation can vary from center to center.
• In-home care. In-home care providers bring additional support directly to you and your loved one. Services can range from companionship and housekeeping tasks to skilled nursing care provided by home health aides. The cost of in-home respite care will depend upon the type of care, the hourly rate of the provider, as well as the number of hours or days of the week care is required.
• Residential care. Residential respite care is care offered in senior living communities and provides access to the skilled care as well as the services and amenities of the community. Many residential respite care options include overnight stays for a few days or up to a few weeks. The cost of residential care is often comparable to the daily market rate for skilled nursing care.

Why consider respite care?

Data from the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP found that only 14 percent of caregivers utilized respite care services even though 38 percent of caregivers said respite care would be helpful. So, why should you consider respite care?

Respite care options can be helpful for caregivers who need to go to work, run errands or attend to other responsibilities for a few hours, but are unable to leave their loved one alone. Respite care can also be beneficial for caregivers who are leaving town for a few days or who maybe just feel burned out and need to reset.

The Benefits of Respite Care

Respite care was designed with the caregiver in mind, but has benefits for you and your loved one alike.

For caregivers, the biggest benefit of respite care is that it gives you a break and allows you to take care of yourself. Self-care is important for everyone, but especially so for caregivers who continually give so much of themselves to those they love. Though it comes from a good place, that singular focus on your loved one can be detrimental to your health. In fact, data from the AARP reveals that 23% of Americans say caregiving has made their own health worse. Respite care gives you the time you need to focus on your health and well-being and can even help improve your resiliency as a caregiver.

For your loved one, respite care can be a restful and enriching experience. Whether in an adult day center or a residential community, respite care offers the opportunity for new social connections and participation in stimulating activities and programs, not to mention the care and attention provided by qualified professionals.

Respite Care Services in Dallas, Texas

At Edgemere, we offer respite care services in our five-star health center. Our health center team is focused on providing the highest levels of care for residents and respite care guests alike. When your loved one takes a respite stay at Edgemere, they have full access to all the same services and amenities as our full-time health center residents, including our beautifully landscaped grounds, chef-prepared meals and 24/7 skilled nursing care. Some people enjoy their respite stay in our community so much that they decide to move here!

It is our goal to meet and exceed the needs and expectations of those in our care, so you can rest and recharge. If you’d like to learn more about our respite care services or how we can support you and your loved one, we’re happy to help. Please fill out the form below or give us a call at 214-615-7045.