Respite Care
Many patients – especially the elderly and terminally ill – need full time care that is often provided by a family member. Respite care is short-term care designed to give a patient’s primary caregiver a much-needed break. It may be provided in the patient’s normal setting (home, nursing facility, etc.) or in another location, such as a community or assisted living center.
Respite care is an important form of support for both the patient and the caregiver. It gives the caregiver the opportunity to attend to everyday activities like work, grocery shopping or family business. It can also give them the chance to get away for a few hours or a few days of well-deserved rest and relaxation. It benefits the patient by giving them an extended social life and the change to meet and interact with new people. It can also help both the patient and the caregiver to return to their normal routine with a refreshed perspective.
Respite care may be given informally by family, friends or neighbors or by formal respite care professionals.