Caring for hospice patients can be emotionally and physically taxing on the hospice care team, so respite care gives caregivers a break while ensuring patients receive the care, treatment, and attention they need.
What is Respite Care?
Burnout is something that primary caregivers can experience when they do not have enough support, work for too long, or do not take rests. To prevent this, respite care is a type of short-term relief for primary caregivers and comes with benefits like:
- Time to focus on self-care
- Increased or renewed energy for caregivers
- Strengthens bonds with family
- Reduced stress
- An overall positive outlook
Respite care can be provided at nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, or assisted living facilities for up to 5 days per hospice benefit period. For many patients, respite care offers stimulation, variety, and a schedule change.
How to Qualify for Respite Care
The process of qualifying for respite care usually involves an assessment by healthcare professionals to evaluate the patient and the caregiver’s needs. Some key factors that will be considered include:
The patient’s health condition
The level of care the patient will need will be considered. This will include whether daily living activities like bathing, eating, dressing, and medication management are required.
Patients will also be assessed to determine if they are stable enough to be transported safely outside of their homes in order to receive inpatient respite care.
The caregiver’s well-being
The physical and emotional well-being of the caregiver is also examined. Typically, any signs of caregiver burnout are detected.
Physical signs of caregiver burnout include:
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- High blood pressure
- Raised heartbeat
- Tense muscles
- Trouble sleeping or too much sleeping
Emotional signs of caregiver burnout include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Withdrawal
- Irritability
- Anger
- Resentment
- Frustration
- Guilt
Caregiver burnout can cause patient neglect and misuse of substances, and, in extreme cases, it can result in patient abuse.
How To Access Respite Care
To get respite care, you can reach out to your hospice provider and let them know that you would like to receive respite care. Each hospice will have their own policies and procedures for offering respite care to patients and their families.
Compassionate Respite Care in Orange County
At Orange Hospice, we have first-hand experience in the emotional and physical toll of caring for someone and believe in giving primary caregivers a much-needed rest. Our experienced team will coordinate respite care to ensure caregivers get the rest and relief needed to continue providing exceptional care to their families.
Call us today at (714) 790-0594 for a free consultation to learn how our caring staff can support you and your loved ones.
