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Caregiver Support: Respite Care, Burnout Prevention & Resources

By: Serena Tanner • Edited by: Alyssa Hill • Subject Matter Expert Reviewed by: Brindusa Vanta, MD • 5 cited sources • Updated Oct 14, 2024

Caregivers, both professional and family members, play a critical role in supporting people with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or aging-related issues. They’re key to ensuring someone who needs assistance receives the care and support they need day to day. Caregivers may assist with medication management and simple tasks like preparing food, or they may need to provide more extensive support, such as assisting with toileting or dressing. However, caregivers are prone to caregiver burnout. Prevention is the best approach in this case, and respite care can provide the support caregivers need to avoid burnout.

Key Takeaways

• Respite care provides temporary caregiving support while a primary caregiver steps away from their duties.
• Taking respite care is crucial to avoid caregiver burnout.
• Family caregivers can often provide necessary respite if you can’t afford to pay for care.

What Is Respite Care?

Respite care is a temporary form of caregiving^[1]. A primary caregiver may need time off for a family vacation, to recover from an illness, or simply to take a break. When the primary caregiver needs time away from their duties, they seek out respite care. This short-term relief allows primary caregivers a reprieve from their duties. It may be for a few hours to attend an appointment or for several weeks.

This form of backup caregiving can take several forms. Many assisted living homes offer respite care stays, allowing your loved one to reside in the facility temporarily while you take a break. Other people may find in-home respite more efficient by bringing a caregiver into their loved one’s home while they’re away. You might also find adult day care centers in your area that assist with medical needs and activities of daily living during daytime hours.

Who Pays For Respite Care?

In some cases, a health insurance policy may pay for respite care if it’s deemed medically necessary, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. Medicare, for example, covers respite care for eligible individuals receiving hospice care. However, it only covers up to five consecutive days and while it includes most expenses for care at a Medicare-approved inpatient facility, you may still be responsible for some of the costs^[2].

Medicaid may also cover respite care for qualifying low-income adults. However, the exact requirements vary by state. If your loved one’s health insurance does not approve the cost of respite care, you will be responsible for paying for it out of pocket. 

Low-Budget Ways to Pay For Respite Care

If you’re a family caregiver for a loved one, you need a break from time to time. It’s crucial to take time for yourself to avoid caregiver burnout. Involving friends and family in the caregiving routine for your loved one can help take some of the load off you. They may even be able to take on the caregiving duties while you take a much-needed respite at little to no cost.

Even better, your loved one might feel more comfortable with a family or friend as their temporary caregiver since there’s already a degree of familiarity and trust there.

 Caring for a loved one offers many benefits and opportunities to provide support, build deep, meaningful relationships, develop patience and empathy, and learn new skills. However, caregiver burnout can lead to multiple physical and mental health issues. Respite care can prevent or alleviate burnout while maintaining the benefits of caregiving.

Dr. Brindusa Vanta, MD

Onboarding an Alternate Caregiver to Set Everyone Up for Success

Having multiple caregivers lined up for your loved one can help remove some of the stress that can arise when you need to take time off. Before you tag in your respite caregiver, there are a few things you need to get in order.

The temporary caregiver must understand all medical information, care plans, and emergency contacts so they know what to do, what to look out for, and who to contact if something goes wrong.

You may also need to record a daily routine, listing all the necessary tasks, when to remind them to take medication, and detailing any other care needs. By outlining clear expectations and responsibilities, you help set everyone up for success.

Preventing & Managing Caregiver Burnout

Caregiver burnout occurs when a caregiver reaches a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion^[3]. It commonly occurs when someone becomes responsible for another person’s health and safety. Some common signs and symptoms include: 

• Physical exhaustion
• Emotional fatigue
• Hopelessness
• Withdrawing socially
• No longer pursuing activities that you once enjoyed
• Changes in sleep or eating patterns
• Irritability
• Getting sick more frequently than usual
• Inability to concentrate

It’s important to recognize caregiver burnout early to prevent it from becoming severe. If you notice these signs, taking proactive steps, such as seeking professional help when needed, can help mitigate the risk. Also, try not to take on more than you can handle. Setting realistic goals can help you avoid burnout by reducing the risk of exhaustion.

Setting healthy boundaries is essential to prevent caregiver burnout. It’s okay to say no when you are feeling overwhelmed. Plan ahead by receiving help from others, taking breaks when needed, and arranging respite care. Your health should also be a priority.

Dr. Brindusa Vanta, MD

Creating a support network to help manage your loved one’s care can also help reduce the risk of caregiver burnout. When others share the workload, it reduces the risk of exhaustion that comes from doing everything yourself. Likewise, friends and family members can help provide emotional support where it’s needed. 

In some cases, you may need to seek professional assistance as part of your social circle. Professional caregivers can provide occasional or daily care for your loved one, lifting a major load off your shoulders.

Finding a Caregiver Support Group Near You

Another way to help manage caregiver burnout is by joining caregiver support groups. In these support groups, you’ll be surrounded by people like you who understand the ins and outs of taking care of a loved one, as well as the emotional and physical toll it can take.

You may be able to find a wide variety of support groups in your local area. In-person groups can often be found through hospitals or Area Agencies on Aging. You might find online groups or forums where people can share their experiences and seek opinions from other people. In some cases, these groups can simply offer a brief break and encouragement to keep going.

If you’re looking for a caregiver support group in your area, try asking your loved one’s medical team. They may have connections that can help. Local online directories or caregiving organizations may also know of support groups they can refer you to. 

Helpful Resources For Caregivers

The caregiver resources you can access are largely limited to the ones in your area. Your local Area Agency on Aging can be a major asset, helping you locate resources in your area^[4]. They can help connect you with all sorts of services to support elderly loved ones, such as Meals on Wheels or homemaker services. Lastly, they can provide you with access to educational materials or point you in the right direction of local support groups. 

The National Council on Aging also provides support for caregivers, including resources on locating financial assistance and referrals to benefits your loved one may qualify for^[5].

Caregiving Is as Demanding as it Is Rewarding

Your loved one is an important part of your life, and that probably factors into why you chose to become one of their caregivers. However, taking responsibility for an aging loved one’s care can take a major toll on you.

It’s important to seek support and practice self-care to prevent burnout. When necessary, consider outsourcing and seeking respite care to ensure you still have time for yourself. 

Written by Serena Tanner

Serena Tanner attended the University of Washington, where she earned a degree in philosophy after many detours delving into human rights, law, psychology, and social work. Health and holistic wellness topics continue to hold a special place in her heart. When she's not reading or writing, she can be found exploring the Pacific Northwest with her two children and dogs.

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Edited by Alyssa Hill

Alyssa Hill is an experienced editor and health writer. She holds an M.A. in journalism from the University of Arizona and is also a certified somatic practitioner. A former content manager for multiple start-ups in the marketing and health/medical industries, Alyssa has extensive experience writing medically accurate and well-researched content, editing articles for clarity and SEO, adhering to strict guidelines, and ensuring all content is up to standards.

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Subject Matter Expert Brindusa Vanta, MD

Dr. Brindusa Vanta is a healthcare professional, researcher, and medical subject matter expert . She earned her MD degree from "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine, Romania. She has a special interest in mental health and has collaborated with psychologists and other mental health practitioners on various research projects focused on therapies to manage depression, age-related cognitive decline, trauma and stressor- related conditions.