Alzheimer's Respite Care Alternatives

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Earlier this year, my sister underwent testing to learn if she was a candidate for a lung transplant.  While anticipating two weeks of rigorous medical procedures was daunting, she had another pressing concern; She was the primary caregiver for her husband, who is in the moderate stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

How could she spend two weeks away from him?  Who would take care of him in her absence?

I would be my sister’s sole care person during the transplant testing, so I couldn’t step in to help.  With no other family members to rely on, we had to look at alternatives.

At first my sister considered keeping her husband at home and using around-the-clock care though an agency.

However, she was worried there might be gaps in care or caregivers filling in who were unfamiliar with his needs.  Also, he would be isolated at home and totally dependent on caregivers with no one there to supervise.

This alternative just seemed too risky.

I’d read about institutional respite care and suggested we explore that option.

Respite provides temporary care for a person when the primary caregiver either needs a rest from caregiving or is temporarily unable to provide the care.  Most often, respite is in a professional health setting, where the person will be safe, monitored and comfortable.  Respite varies greatly from a few hours a week to weeks or longer.

A bit of online searching turned up quite a few local care homes that provide some form of respite care.  My sister called several care homes, gathering information about costs and services.  We toured one and decided it was a good fit for her husband’s two-week stay.

It may be hard to imagine leaving your loved one in someone else’s care, but respite provides caregivers with the opportunity to take a break and recharge their batteries, which is one of the best things a caregiver can do for him or herself.

Respite is also a vital service for caregivers who have their own health challenges, as was the case with my sister.

Here are some types of respite care options:

Adult Care Centers. Many adult care centers are located in churches or community centers. Some provide care for both elderly adults and young children, and the two groups may spend time together.

Day Hospitals. These hospitals provide medical care during the day. In the evening, your loved one returns home.

In-Home Respite. Health care aides come to your home to provide companionship, nursing services or both.

Short-Term Care Homes. Some assisted living homes, memory care facilities and nursing homes accept people needing care for short stays while caregivers are away. This is the option that was right for my sister and her husband. However, his two-week respite stay in a care home was not without a few bumps.

My suggestion is that you move your loved one into the care home several days prior to your departure.  This way, you can get to know the staff members who will be providing the care and work out any issues.  Make your expectations clear from the start and never be reticent about providing the care home with written notes and instructions.

Ask friends or family members to stop by and provide you with an assessment of how your loved one is doing.  Call to speak with your loved one and his or her nurse.

If you’re unsure about how to search for respite care in your immediate area, take advantage of local resources for caregivers. Start by contacting your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to learn about services in your community. You can find your local AAA online or in the government section of your telephone directory.

Nancy Wurtzel, a frequent thirdAge contributor, is the editor of the blog www.DatingDementia.com.