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Publication #FAR6013

 

Respite Care for Caregivers of Older Adults1

Suzanna Smith2

Figure 1. 
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My 90-year-old grandmother lived with my mom and dad in her final years. She was comfortable there and had the help, support and affection she needed. My parents prepared healthy meals for her, took her shopping, to doctor's appointments, and to visit friends. My grandmother knew she was safe, secure, and loved.

My family is a lot like many other families in the U.S. who are taking care of older adults. In fact, families are more likely to provide long-term care than nursing homes, social service agencies, or government programs.

Caring for family members brings many rewards, such as the sense of giving back to a parent, and the chance for families to grow closer. However, many caregivers experience immense stress and feelings of burden, high rates of depression, and feelings of anger and anxiety (Administration on Aging, 2004). As with any demanding job, especially one that is 24/7, sometimes "even the caregiver needs a break, a rest, or a breather" (Administration on Aging, 2003, ¶ 1). For caregivers, this break from their daily responsibilities is called "respite."

Typically respite care is a service provided by an agency or facility that allows the caregiver time away. Depending on what the caregiver and loved one need, it might take place in the home, an adult day-care center, or, over a longer period of time, in a nursing home or an assisted facility (Administration on Aging, 2004). This break gives the caregiver time to do what they need, such as go shopping, take care of their own health care needs, or simply visit with friends. This often enables the caregiver to continue to care for loved ones.

Available respite care varies from state to state. To find out more about what is available in your state, contact your local area Agency on Aging or your local elder care services provider.

Listening, learning, and living together: it's the science of life. "Family Album" is a co-production of University of Florida IFAS Extension, the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, and of WUFT-FM. If you'd like to learn more, please visit our website at http://www.familyalbumradio.org.

To listen to the radio broadcast:

http://radiosource.net/radio_stories/436%20-%20respite%20care.mp3 [10 September 2012]

Resources

Local area agencies on aging are generally listed in the city or county government sections of the telephone directory under "Aging" or "Social Services." The Administration on Aging supports a nationwide, toll-free information and assistance directory called the Eldercare Locator that can locate the appropriate AAA to help an individual needing assistance for his or her loved ones, relatives, or friends. Older persons and caregivers can call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

References

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Aging. (2003). National family caregiver support program. Retrieved May 11, 2006, from http://www.aoa.gov/aoaroot/Press_Room/Products_Materials/fact/pdf/Natl_Family_Caregiver_Support.pdf [24 September 2012].

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Aging. (2004). Respite: What caregivers need most. Retrieved May 11, 2006, from http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/press/fact/alpha/fact_respite.asp [24 September 2012].

Footnotes

1.

This document is FAR6013, one of a series of the Family Youth and Community Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Broadcast as program 443 in January 2007. Published on EDIS August 2012. In the interest of time and/or clarity, the broadcast version of this script may have been modified. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

Suzanna Smith, associate professor, Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.