It’s exhausting to have a loved one with a terminal illness and provide them with all the love and care they need round the clock. However, taking care of them can sometimes get overwhelming and stressful. You may need some time for yourself, or you risk becoming inefficient in your everyday life.
In such cases, you can resort to hospice respite care and allow yourself a break. With hospice respite care, you can rest assured that your loved one will be provided 24-hour care by the hospice care team.
Below, we have talked all about respite care for hospice patients, including the services and the costs associated with it.
What is respite care?
Respite care for hospice patients refers to a short-term break for caretakers looking after patients with a terminal illness at home or in a hospice. Looking after someone with a disability or sickness is a 24-hour job. Therefore, you regularly need a break to look after your own health and needs too. These breaks can be as long or as short as you want —- a few hours, days, or weeks. This is where respite care comes into the picture.
Respite care can take place:
- In your home
- At a hospital
- At a relative’s place
Who needs respite care?
Someone with a disability or an illness needing round-the-clock care is ideal for respite care. It is the right choice if your loved one has:
- A brain injury
- A stroke
- Blindness
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Advanced stage Cancer
Respite care services:
Respite care services offer a comfortable and safe alternative for your loved one to receive care while the primary caregiver (you) is away or is taking a break. Trained providers can sit and talk with the patient to ensure a smooth transition to and back from respite care services.
They may also help your loved one:
- Bathe
- Eat or drink
- Exercise
- Get in and out of the bed
- Dress
- Take medications
- Enjoy the outdoors
Respite care programs may also include music, art, or dance classes as seems fit with the patient’s condition and general health.
Types of respite care for hospice patients:
- Respite care at home: Respite care can be carried out at your home. In-home respite care providers are like companions for the patient or the elderly who ensure your loved one does not hurt themselves during their day-to-day activities. They may help your loved one bathe, dress, do laundry, make beds, eat, and take medications.
- Adult day centers or programs: The patient, while in hospice, can be moved to an adult day center for respite care for a few hours. There they may be provided meals, exercise, or music classes supervised by trained staff. Some programs may also offer pickup and drop facilities.
- Respite care facilities: This facility is ideal for elderly or sick people who can no longer live on their own. Plus, you don’t need to be physically present round-the-clock to look after your loved one. Trained providers at these facilities will offer them the care they need 24×7.
Respite care costs:
Respite care costs depend on the agency, services, and duration of the care. Please note that some insurance policies may cover these costs while some may not. Therefore, check with your insurance provider to determine if the costs fit your budget.
About Cardinal Hospice
Now that you have understood what respite care is and whom it is suitable for, you should look for the best hospice care in Michigan for your terminally ill loved one. At Cardinal Hospice, we provide the best possible care to patients and their families experiencing life-limiting conditions. We believe the end of life deserves as much recognition as the beginning. Our clients choose us for the highest quality end-of-life care that we provide to patients experiencing a life-limiting condition. For more information, call on (989) 318-5583 or (248) 329-0483, write to [email protected], or fill out the patient referral form.
