Respite Care
Respite care is a short care service that provides primary caregivers with temporary relief from the caregiver burden. The service can be offered for a couple of hours, days, or weeks.
Although most respite care takes place at home, it can also be provided at an adult day care center, a residential center with overnight stays, or a healthcare facility.
Situations that warrant respite care include when a caregiver:
- Suffers from emotional or physical exhaustion from caring for their loved one 24/7.
- Wants to attend an important event like a funeral, wedding, or graduation.
- Falls ill and can no longer care for their loved one
Why is respite important for caregivers?
Relaxation and renewal
Energy
Space
Removing yourself from the pressures and demands of caregiving can give you renewed purpose and help you relax.
Pleasure
Identity
Perspective
Engagement

Is respite care the same as hospice?
When is hospice care considered?
- Despite treatment, there’s a steep decline in the cognitive and physical status of the care receiver. This can include extreme fatigue, substantial weight loss, weakness, shortness of breath, and increased pain.
- The patient wants to lead a comfortable life and forego physically draining treatments that have proven unsuccessful in halting or curing the illness.
- Physicians estimate 6 months of life
- The individual is in the end stage of dementia and Alzheimer’s
What services does hospice care offer?
- Medication for controlling symptoms, including pain
- Medical equipment including walkers, wheelchairs, medical supplies, and beds.
- Occupational and physical therapy
- Speech-language therapy
- Short-term respite services for a family caregiver
- Short-term inpatient care when symptom management isn’t possible at home
- Loss and grief counseling for the patient and family
Does medicaid cover respite care?
How can I pay for respite care without medicaid or medicare?
- Long-term care insurance –covers costs associated with disability or aging. People who already require respite services won’t qualify for a new policy. But if your loved one already has this insurance, it may cover emergency respite care services.
- ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center – Although they don’t offer direct funding, ARCH has information on some state coalitions with access to respite care funding programs.
- VA benefits – respite care comes as standard in medical benefits for VAs. As such, every veteran who qualifies for respite care is covered, and they get 30 days annually of respite care divided between nursing home care and in-home care.
- Private pay – Although most people cannot pay for respite services out of pocket, most services have hourly charges. So, private pay is a great option if you need short relief, especially when medical care isn’t needed.
What can I expect from respite care?
- Companionship and supervision – if your loved one is somewhat independent, but you are worried about leaving them alone, you can benefit from companion and supervision services.
- Daily living activities – daily activities like eating, bathing, and dressing should be completed every day. Respite care offers help with these as a standard.
- Medical care – many respite care providers offer basic medical care, including wound care. If the care recipient needs specialized care, consider hiring a skilled and certified nurse.
- Household tasks – they offer help with laundry, light cleaning, and grocery shopping.
- Transportation – the respite provider can help a loved one get to doctor’s appointments or run important errands
- Meals – preparing nutritious meals for your loved one
- Personal attention – respite care involves one-on-one interaction between your loved one and the care team. With such focus, patient needs are met to the letter.
Trusted Touch Healthcare respite care service
Our goal is to provide the highest standard of senior care to each person and treat them with dignity and respect.
If you worry about leaving them alone, we offer companion services and supervision assistance programs that allow our home care providers to spend time with your loved one.
Our team of home respite caregivers offer help with meal preparation and planning; activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, and eating; provide transportation for errands or adult day care services; and light housekeeping, such as cleaning, doing laundry, and shopping for groceries.
Whether you need medical support for just a few hours a week or full-time home respite care, or if you require home care services for short-term or long-term care, our caregiving team is here for you.
With offices in Rockville and Fairfax, our caregivers work 24 hours a day. We can even provide overnight home health care. We offer different types of respite care programs, and we will help you care for your aging friends and family.
Wondering if our Home health nurse draw blood? See our recent post.
DMV respite care services
If you require respite care or hospice care, you should look no further than Trusted Touch Healthcare. We offer a variety of home health services to help you care for your senior. We strive to provide personal care tailored to each person.
Don’t hesitate to contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will answer any questions you have about our respite care programs. Together, we can create a home care plan that benefits you and your loved one.
Get The Care Your Loved One Deserves
