Posted: July 24, 2023
If you are one of the over 40 million unpaid caregivers in the US caring for an aging loved one, you know it can be fulfilling to provide care to those that cared for you throughout your life. But It can also be very easy to forget to take care of yourself. There are many reasons why a short-term stay or respite care in a senior living community could be a great choice, but many people don’t realize that senior living communities – at all levels of care – offer short term stays for various purposes such as vacation, recovery from surgery or injury, or just to check out the residence for future consideration.
Short-term stays or respite care offers advantages for both caregivers and the individuals receiving care. For caregivers, it can help reduce stress, prevent burnout, and give them a chance to manage their overall well-being. It also allows caregivers to fulfill personal commitments, take a vacation, spend time with friends and family, or enjoy other activities. For the care recipients, respite care can be a welcome change of environment, offer opportunities for social interaction, provide access to specialized care or therapies and offer a trial in a community they are interested in for the future.
Respite care” is a term often used when a caregiver takes an extended break and wants their loved one to receive extra support and companionship during that time. You can access a variety of care levels during a short-term or respite stay, including assisted living, and skilled nursing. Caregiving for an elderly, ill, or disabled family member is a demanding job and no one is equipped to do it alone. Finding respite care services can provide a vital break.
Scheduling a respite care stay can have many advantages for both the caregiver and the person receiving care. When you schedule a respite care stay with a senior living community like Casey’s Pond, the caregiver benefits from a much needed rest or respite, while also having peace of mind knowing that their loved one is completely taken care of. Your loved one becomes one of our family while they stay with us. Meanwhile, guests enjoy fully furnished accommodations, freshly prepared meals and snacks and our signature social engagement program, Rhythms Life Enrichment.
Respite care stays can vary depending on the senior living community but many places welcome respite care patients for as long as they need. Some care communities may have a minimum length of stay. At Casey’s Pond, for example, our assisted living Grove neighborhood welcomes short term guests for a minimum of 5 days a maximum of three months.
For most senior living communities, your loved one visiting for a short-term stay will be welcomed and integrated into the community and be able to take advantage of all the services and amenities offered. They will receive the personalized care and attention that you have coordinated and the care team will be in communication with you on a regular basis. Senior living communities are set up to coordinate with you and support your loved one’s well-being and enjoyment of daily living.
Most insurance plans do not cover these costs but private long-term care insurance often covers respite care services. Each policy may have different benefits, so check with your insurance company to find out the details of your plan. Medicare will cover most of the cost of up to 5 days in a row of respite care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility for a person receiving hospice care. Medicaid also may offer assistance. There are financial assistance options your family may qualify for, especially if you’re under a certain financial threshold.
As the population of older adults grows, more and more family members are finding themselves in caregiver roles. While it can be a rewarding experience, there is also the real danger of caregiver burnout which can occur when one spends too little time focusing on themself instead to spend all their energy on being a family caregiver. Taking short breaks with respite care can be one way to alleviate some of the workload and avoid caregiver burnout. Respite care can take many forms, from in-home care a few times a week to enrolling your family member in an adult day care center to moving them into an assisted living facility for a short-term stay.
Contact us if you would like to learn more about respite care at Casey’s Pond.
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