What is Hospice Respite Care?

Taking care of a terminally ill loved one can be rewarding and exhausting – physically, mentally, and emotionally. Some days are unique because they allow you to make meaningful memories that you will cherish forever. Other days challenge you to the end of your endurance. A respite care program can assist caregivers in staying balanced and preventing burnout. 

Inpatient respite care is short-term, inpatient care designed to give caregivers a break. In a Medicare-approved hospice facility, Medicare may cover transportation and five (5) consecutive days of in-patient care.

Why Would Respite Care Be Requested?

Being a primary caregiver is an admirable undertaking. Caregiving requires perseverance, patience, and strength. Managing it takes a lot of time, and it can quickly become overwhelming. With the challenges of caregiving, you might request respite care for many reasons, including:

Getting increased care for your loved one. 

Throughout the hospice journey, there may be times when your loved one will experience uncontrollable pain and symptom management. This may be too much for you to handle at your home. You can request in-patient care where your loved one can receive the medical care they need for severe symptoms. 

Benefits of Respite Care
Benefits for Caregiver
  • Improved sleep
  • Increased energy
  • Improved outlook
  • Reduced levels of stress and anxiety

You may feel as though requesting respite care demonstrates your weakness or that you are incapable of caring for a loved one, but nothing could be further from the truth. The reality is – what you’re doing is difficult and exhausting. Knowing your limits and taking time to care for yourself is healthy. As a result, you will be able to provide better quality care and be at your best when your loved one needs you most.

Benefits for Patient/Loved One
  • Increased social interaction opportunities
  • Improved relationship with the caregiver(Stress can affect both caregiver and patient)
  • Reduced gilt over their caregiver’s stress or anxiety

It’s beautiful and good to receive care at home from a loved one, but at times, everyone needs a break. With respite care, both caregiver and patient can come back together more refreshed.