Caregiving is not easy—not for the caregiver and not for the person receiving care. The ongoing demands of taking care of someone else can strain even the most resilient person. That’s why it’s critical for caregivers to ask for help and take a break when they need it.
Respite care provides short-term relief for primary caregivers, giving them time to rest, travel, or spend time with other family and friends. The care may last anywhere from a few hours to several weeks at a time. Respite care can take place at home, in a health care facility, or at an adult day care center. South Mountain Memory Care, a memory care community near Allentown in the Lehigh Valley, PA, provides 24/7 specialized dementia care in a safe, secure, and innovative “Small House” designed community. Minimum stays start at 14 days.
In some cases, family, friends, or volunteers can step in to provide respite care. Respite care provided by a friend, relative, or volunteer may have no associated costs. Most private health insurance plans do not cover the costs of respite care. Some long-term care insurance plans may have coverage for this service. You must pay all costs not covered by insurance or government programs.
Accepting help from others isn’t always easy. You may worry about being a burden, or you may feel uncomfortable admitting that you can’t do it all yourself. But many caregivers later say they did too much on their own, and they wish they had asked for more support from family and friends. Understand that many people want to help, and it makes them feel good to contribute.
Keep in mind that people outside a memory care community like South Mountain Memory Care may not be qualified to help a loved one with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. But if you’d rather seek outside help, follow these tips.
If you hesitate to ask others for assistance, here are some ideas:
- Ask for small things at first, if that makes it easier for you.
- If you aren’t comfortable asking face-to-face, send a text or email with your request.
- Consider a person’s skills and interests when thinking about how they could help.
- Download the Worksheet: Coordinating Caregiving Responsibilities (PDF, 161K), which provides a list of caregiving activities that you could divide up with others.
- If someone offers to help, practice saying, “Thanks for asking. Here’s what you can do.”
It’s important to be honest about what you need and what you don’t need. Not every offer is going to be helpful. And be prepared for some people to say “no” when you ask—try not to take it personally.
Whatever the cause or level of your or your loved one’s memory issues, South Mountain Memory Care, with our unique culture, “small house” model, and abundance of certified caregivers, offers you the peace of mind of knowing your loved one will be cared for as if they were our family—which they are!
South Mountain Memory Care is committed to providing individualized, compassionate care to support our residents in achieving a well-balanced lifestyle. We strive to allow our residents to remain independent while emphasizing safety. Our focus is to enrich their life—mind, body, and spirit—by bringing new initiatives into their day-to-day regimen while maintaining the activities they find comfort in. South Mountain Memory Care offers the peace of mind you deserve. When it comes to those you care so deeply about, we understand because we care, too.
Partially adapted from: nia.nih.gov/health/caregiving/what-respite-care