Respite care is important for caregivers. It’s when someone steps in for the primary caregiver so they can take a break. It might involve asking a friend to sit with your loved one for a few hours while you do chores. Or you could take your loved one to an adult day services center while you run errands.
When you want or need to get away for a few days, look into in-home respite care.
Respite home care is a great way for caregivers to take a break and take care of themselves.
What Is Respite Home Care?
Respite home care provides professional care for your loved one at home. This can be round-the-clock, during the day, or overnight. It means you can go to an important family event like a niece’s wedding or a grandchild’s graduation, schedule a medical procedure, or simply take a day to recharge.
Respite home care from VNS Health is provided by trained and vetted home health aides, who work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Respite home care can include:
- Cooking meals and helping with eating
- Help with bathing, dressing, and grooming
- Making sure medicines are taken correctly
- Spending time and talking with the person
Respite care services are available from VNS Health Personal Care.
Benefits of Respite Home Care
You might hesitate to leave your loved one with someone who doesn’t know the routine, but taking a break from caregiving helps you and your loved one.
Respite home care has many benefits:
- Rest and Renewal: Caregivers can take time to rest and feel better.
- Better Care: A rested caregiver is an effective caregiver.
- Comfort of Home: The person getting care stays in their own home.
- Peace of Mind: Caregivers can relax knowing their loved one is safe.
Respite care is also good for the person who needs care. People who are involved with respite care have fewer behavioral problems and sleep better at night.
How to Choose Respite Home Care
When you look into respite care, think about the kind of help your loved one needs. Will you want a caregiver with special training?
Be sure that you’re hiring a properly trained caregiver from a reputable agency. This is where VNS Health can help. All VNS Health home health aides are certified and insured. And they receive 114 hours of training — 39 hours more than the minimum required by New York State.
How Do I Start Respite Home Care?
To start respite home care, call VNS Health’s Personal Care team at 1-888-735-8913. We’ll ask questions to match you with the right home health aide. If your loved one has trouble with changes or meeting new people, we can send your aide a day or two ahead. This way, they can get used to the new person while you’re there.
Services can usually start within a few days. If you have an emergency, we will do our best to get someone to you right away.
In-home respite care is also available to people receiving hospice care from VNS Health. In this case, call your hospice nurse for information or to start care.
Who Pays for Respite Home Care?
Medicaid sometimes pays for any type of respite care, but usually it’s paid for out of pocket. (Medicare and private insurance only cover respite care for hospice patients.)
Related Services
Personal Care Services
Home health aides provide compassionate and supportive personal care.
Geriatric Care Management
Geriatric Care Managers coordinate your care team, which can include experts such as nurses, social workers, dieticians, or attorneys.