When caring for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer's, respite care can provide much-needed relief to the primary caregiver. It is important to understand the special considerations that come with providing respite care for individuals with these conditions. Perceptions about the nurse-caregiver relationship and its influence on the use of temporary care services by spouses who care for patients diagnosed with dementia are important to consider. Respite care should be tailored to the individual's needs and preferences, and policy makers and health professionals should take this into account when creating or modifying relief interventions and in the daily provision of care.
Foster care is an option for a loved one to stay in a senior housing community for a couple of weeks or longer. Collaboration with health personnel can have an impact on access to patient-centered temporary care, the personalization of care according to the needs of the couple, the feeling of burden, the quality of the care provided, the beliefs of the caregivers and the credibility granted to them. In addition, it is important to note that the use of caregiver skills in collaboration with politicians, decision makers and care teams can influence the use of respite services. There are a variety of private and nonprofit relief programs available depending on your location, and long-term care policies and programs for veterans can subsidize the cost of care.
Understanding your needs, selecting the right type of respite care, and choosing the right provider can ease the stress of leaving the reins of caring for your loved one. If you seek respite services promptly and often, you'll be better able to maintain interests outside your loved one's care and preserve your own identity.
