Respite Care Research Paper

Respite Care: Just What is Respite Care?

Respite care is often confused with palliative care, end-of-life care, hospice care, day care, and many of the other "care" services. To be sure, when dealing with a loved one who requires significant support, the number of different services, agencies, supports, and requirements can be overwhelming. Couple this with the exhaustion from the constant care, and it can go from overwhelming to nerve-wracking.

So, just what is respite care? Respite services refer to the temporary care utilized by primary caregivers so they can balance their own needs with those of caregiving. Services range from half an hour to several weeks. These short "respites" allow the caregiver to tend to the many parts of their
life that have been put on hold. There is no official reason required for why respite services are utilized.

Research has shown that long-term or 24/7 caregivers undergo tremendous levels of stress. As a result, they have dramatically higher instances of depression, illness, and even chronic ailments than those who are not in caregiver positions. In addition to their physical and emotional health, caregivers often let their own social circles break down, fail to take care of their own homes, and get behind on their bills.

Despite their own hardships, caregivers often feel guilty about taking any time away from their loved one. The guilt and building physical, emotional, and social pressures often lead to resentment, anger, and frustration which leads to more guilt. According to AARP, "During caregiving guilt is constant. Guilt for not spending enough time with your loved one. Guilt for not tending to your own family. Guilt for having negative feelings. And guilt for resenting your new role."

The good news is that even short breaks at regular intervals are enough to be both therapeutic and restorative. In fact, the report "Respite for Caregivers: An Evaluation Study", showed that 64 percent of caregivers who took advantage of regular respite care services had an overall improvement in health within a year, and 78 percent reported improvements in their emotional health as well.

A large number of those who avail themselves of respite services report that they spend the first day or two just sleeping.
Caregivers don't realize how completely exhausted they have become until they have a chance to truly allow themselves to come down from their stresses. Many caregivers also use this time to seek counseling. It is not healthy to have repressed feelings of guilt, anger, or resentment, and talking to somebody who understands can make a huge difference. Plus, learning how to grieve the loss of the person you knew who now requires your constant care and supervision is an important step.

Respite services can also be used to give the caregiver time to go to their own medical appointments, have a day at the spa, visit some friends, going fishing, taking care of the bills, or any number of other things that have been put on the back shelf.

You may still be confused. Respite services allow the caregiver to have some time away and it is important for health and well-being, but what is respite care?

Respite care services provide the care your loved one needs while you are gone. In can take place in your home, at an adult day care facility, or at a senior care community. The services include a skilled care and medical staff providing nutritious meals, medication management, personal care, housekeeping, transportation, 24-hour supervision, and outings. In short, respite care provides the peace of mind you need to take a break since you know your senior loved one is receiving proper
care.