Caring for my mother, who had ALS (Lou Gherig’s Disease), was challenging, frustrating, all consuming, tiring, and more, all rolled into one! Yet, I would not have traded that experience for nothing in the world. Caring for a loved one is one of the most generous and caring things a person can do. Whether you’re caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s or a child with a disability, you’re providing the assistance they need to continue to live safely at home.

Being a family caregiver is a rewarding experience, yet a demanding role. To provide the best possible care, you need to be sure you are also taking care of yourself. Attending to your own needs is just as important as attending to the needs of the one you are taking care of! Diet, exercise, taking breaks, and looking after your own emotional well-being is essential. Often times, caregivers set their own needs aside because their focus is on the one with whom they are caring for. Respite care allows you to disengage for a few hours, a few days, or weeks to rest and recharge. Although there are several different models of respite care, there are three primary modes of delivery… care provided in the home, care provided outside of the home, or adult day centers.

In-Home Respite Services means intermittent or regularly scheduled temporary non-medical care and/or supervision provided in the person’s home. The temporary respite worker comes to the client’s home, gets to know the client in his/her normal home environment, learns the family routine, where medicines are store, how to administer meds, how to feed, etc. The benefits of receiving respite in the home is not having to worry about transportation and strange environments. This is particularly important for clients with Autism and other behavioral disabilities. In this model, friends, relatives, and paid professionals may be used. Typically, In-Home services include:

• Assisting the family members to enable a person with disabilities to stay at home;
• Providing appropriate care and supervision to protect that person’s safety in the absence of a family member(s);
• Relieving family members from the constantly demanding responsibility of providing care; and
• Attending to basic self-help needs and other activities that would ordinarily be performed by the family member.

 

Out-of-Home Respite Services are provided in licensed residential or health care facilities for young and old alike. These services include drop-off day programs that provide activities, and daily or weekly programs. Out-of-home respite provides an opportunity for the clients to be outside of the home. This type of service is especially beneficial for those clients who will eventually move to more independent living arrangements.

Adult Day Centers are designed for older adults who can no longer manage independently. Or who are isolated and lonely. Planned activities promote well-being through social and health services. They operate during the daytime hours, Monday through Friday, in a safe, supportive, and cheerful environment. Typically, meals and afternoon snacks, including special diets, are included.

To receive respite care services, you must start with your Alta worker or call the Alta California Regional Center (ACRC). Once the referral is made, the intake process determines eligibility based on client’s disability and support status. Alta decides on the amount of hours allotted, which varies between 24 – 120 hours quarterly. Respite Care is paid for through Alta. Respite services typically are obtained from a respite vendor, by use of vouchers and/or alternative options. Vouchers are a means by which a family may choose their own service provider directly through a payment, coupon or other type of authorization.

Some things to consider. Respite is for an occasional break… it is not daycare. Another thing to consider is behaviors. Outside of family members or friends, most respite workers will not deal with clients with aggressive or bad behaviors.

If you haven’t already, get started with respite care today by contacting ACRC.

Visit Alta California Regional Center Here.

Find Your Regional Center Here.

Respite Care Help Guide Here.

 

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