What Is Respite Care? How Visiting Angels Littleton Can Help
When caring for an aging loved one, it's important to balance their needs with your own well-being. This is where respite care comes in. With our in-home care services, you can go on a vacation, visit your friends, take care of other errands, or even follow your own hobbies while we ensure your loved one has everything they need.
Respite care is supplemental support and care for you and your loved one, working to be there when you can’t be, or need to get additional help. Our caregivers can help with basic chores like light housekeeping, grocery shopping, meal preparation, even transportation to appointments, or simply be there to provide them engaging companionship to help stave off depression and keep them on track with cognitive stimulation and social interactions. Some respite caregivers are trained to provide additional care and support for those facing Alzheimer’s or dementia, have specific disability care needs, or other have other specialized types of care needs for your loved one.
What Does Respite Care Mean?
In short, respite care provides temporary relief for primary caregivers, allowing you to take breaks from the caregiving duties. During these breaks, professional caregivers step in to provide assistance and support to seniors, ensuring their safety and well-being.
Respite care is individualized care customized to your needs and the needs of your loved one, and can be designed to be short or long term schedules, or for those times when you need a vacation or have your own appointments to address. It also allows for more specialized support and care when needed, when that care is beyond your capabilities.
Who Needs In-Home Respite Care?
Anyone caring for an aging loved one can benefit from respite care. Whether you're a full-time caregiver or need occasional assistance, respite care offers you the chance to rest and recharge while ensuring your loved one receives the care they need.
Respite care allows you to keep your loved one at home instead of having to move to a nursing home or some sort of long-term care facility, while receiving personal care catered to their needs.
Respite care is supplemental to the care that you or your family members are already providing to your elderly loved one.
How Does Respite Care Work?
Respite care can be tailored to suit your specific needs and schedule. Caregivers can visit your loved one for a few hours a day or several days a week, providing assistance with various tasks, companionship, and supervision.
To get started with respite care, you can search for a home health aide service, or home care agencies, and use the locator tool to find eldercare providers in your local area. After figuring out which in-home respite care provider is best for you, caregivers often look into funding opportunities through federal programs like Medicaid and Medicare and state-run programs.
Depending on the special needs of your loved one, there are different levels and types of respite care to choose from. Most respite care providers can provide care for things like developmental disabilities, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, and other specific issues. Respite care can and should be individualized to your loved one.
Medicaid and Medicare often also provide support services that can help you find services in your area that meet your needs.Check with your loved one’s doctor’s office to see if they have anyone on staff who can help you navigate these programs.
What Are Examples of Respite Care?
By its very nature, respite care is care support, for you and your loved one, and can be customized to your needs and those of your loved one. Different agencies and caregivers provide different services, but nearly all offer at least these main categories of care, while others, including visiting Angels, can offer more specialized services as well.
Personal Care
Personal care for the elderly involves essential assistance with daily activities like bathing, dressing, grooming, and mobility support, ensuring their comfort and dignity.
Household Assistance
Having a sense of independence is important to seniors, it helps them feel self-reliant, that they’re contributing, and not being a burden. Respite caregivers can help them remain independent and not wholly relying on your by helping with preparing healthy, nutritious meals, light housekeeping and chores, and be a part of keeping the household running smoothly in order to offer more peace of mind for you and your loved one.
Companionship
Companionship for the seniors means meaningful interactions that foster a sense of connection and belonging. It means having someone to talk to, share stories with, or engage in activities they enjoy including their favorite hobby. Companionship gives them a sense of purpose, reduces feelings of loneliness and isolation, and improves their overall well-being and happiness.
What Are the Benefits of Respite Care?
Respite care offers benefits for the caregiver, your loved one, and even the whole family.
Benefits for a caregiver
Respite care allows caregivers to take care of their own responsibilities and families, as well as get some rest. It also lets a caregiver keep their loved one in their own home instead of a nursing home or assisted living facility, which offers peace of mind.
Benefits for your loved one
With respite home health care, your loved one will receive an individualized care plan based on their needs. Respite care keeps them in a comfortable and familiar environment, and provides one-on-one care, and a sense of continuity and consistency with their assigned respite caregiver.
Benefits for the family
When the family knows their loved one is being cared for, whether by a caregiver or a respite care professional, they can have peace of mind. It allows the familial caregiver to take care of their own needs while also caring for their loved one.
What Are the Typical Costs Associated With Respite Care Services?
The cost of respite care varies depending on factors such as location, level of care needed, and duration of services. However, according to Genworth, the average daily cost of an adult day care facility is $85 and will continue to increase every year. In-home respite care may be a more affordable option since the amount and level of care can be tailored to your and your loved one’s needs. The cost will depend on several factors, including your loved one’s location and the caregiving responsibilities you’re looking for.
Visiting Angels offers flexible pricing options to accommodate different budgets and needs.
What Are the Payment and Financial Assistance Options?
Depending on your state and county, your loved one may qualify for financial support services for respite programs. There may be some financial assistance options through health insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare. You can check the insurance plan’s resource center or contact them directly to ask about eligibility. Other payment options for respite care services include private pay, long-term care insurance, and government programs such as Veterans Affairs benefits.
Our team can assist you in exploring these options and finding the best solution for your situation.
Get In-Home Respite Care and Avoid Caregiver Burnout
Caring for an aging loved one is a rewarding, but challenging responsibility. To prevent caregiver burnout and ensure your loved one receives the best care possible, consider respite care services from Visiting Angels. Our compassionate caregivers are dedicated to providing personalized care and support to seniors in Littleton and surrounding areas.
Areas we serve
Visiting Angels Littleton provides respite care in the following areas:
- Castle Rock, CO
- Centennial, CO
- Englewood, CO
- Evergreen, CO
- Greenwood Village, CO
- Highlands Ranch, CO
- Littleton, CO
- Parker, CO
Our caregivers can visit your loved one for a few hours a day or a few days a week and provide you with the opportunity to run errands, go to work or just relax and recharge your batteries.
Don't let caregiving overwhelm you. Take advantage of respite care services to give yourself the break you deserve while ensuring your loved one receives the care they need.
Contact Visiting Angels today to learn more about our in-home care services and find your nearest location in Littleton and surrounding areas. Your family's well-being is our top priority.