In hospice care, the focus is primarily on the well-being of the patient, and rightly so. But what about the family caregivers who attend to the needs of Fremont hospice patients?
Caring for a terminally ill loved one can be a rewarding experience, but dedicating a great deal of time and energy to better their quality of life is also rather exhausting. The everyday demands of caregiving can have an adverse effect on physical, mental and emotional health, and getting support can make all the difference.
That’s where respite care comes in – it provides relief to family caregivers, and the service is a standard part of hospice care. If a loved one is entering hospice and you’re taking on the caregiving responsibilities, learning more is in your best interests. Here, the professionals at Suncrest Hospice in Fremont, California, explain what you need to know.
What is Respite Care?
Respite care allows those tasked with meeting the day-to-day care needs of the terminally ill to take a break from their regular duties.
One of the four levels of hospice care made available through the Medicare benefit, respite care involves a temporary switch to inpatient care, with the patient staying at a local nursing home, hospital or skilled nursing facility for a short time. Trained professionals take over the caretaking duties, and the patient has continued access to all hospice services.
Primary caregivers of hospice patients can make use of respite care more than once. Medicare coverage for hospice care follows a timeline – eligible patients can receive support for two 90-day periods, then for an unlimited number of 60-day periods. Respite can be requested once during each benefit period, and each time, it can last for up to five consecutive days. In some cases, there is a minimal out-of-pocket cost. Fremont hospice care providers can explain when this applies.
How Respite Care Benefits Family Caregivers
Caring for a terminally ill individual is no easy task. From medical care and personal needs to finances and household management, caregivers of hospice patients have a lot to handle. Without support, the challenges can be overwhelming – but respite care offers a solution.
As you’re caring for a loved one in hospice care, taking advantage of a respite stay means getting a chance to:
- Take a few days off to relax, recharge and take care of yourself.
- Focus your attention on your own health and well-being.
- Reduce your stress levels and nip caregiver burnout in the bud.
- Attend a wedding, graduation or other important life event.
In addition, while hospice caregiving is an admirable undertaking, spending the bulk of your time with your loved one can be socially isolating. Request a respite stay, and you can reconnect with friends and have fun outside of the home. When you return to your hospice caregiving duties, you’ll come with the energy you need in mind and body.
How Hospice Patients Benefit from Respite Care
Respite care is undeniably helpful for those caring for hospice patients, and at times, every primary caregiver needs a break. That being said, a respite stay doesn’t just benefit the person providing care – it also comes with a few upsides to the person in hospice care.
By requesting the service, you’ll be taking care of yourself. That’s a good thing – but a respite stay is a good thing for your loved one, too, because it can:
- Help reduce their guilt over your workload and stress levels.
- Make them happy, as they’ll be glad you’re getting a break.
- Offer them the opportunity for increased social interactions.
What’s more, when you return to caring for your loved one in hospice care, the two of you may have an improved relationship. The stress of the situation has affected both of you, and after spending some time apart, you may come to appreciate your time together all the more.
Planning for a Smooth Transition to Respite Care
You may worry that your loved one will have a difficult time without you there, or that they won’t be as comfortable staying elsewhere. But just as are compassionate toward their needs, you deserve to receive that consideration, and hospice respite care may be what you need.
Our advice in this situation is to create a plan together, with input from the family, making sure that everyone is on the same page. Arrange for respite stays in advance to give everyone time to get ready for the break – and if you’re unsure when it might be a good time for a breather, talk to your loved one’s hospice care team. As you’re planning, take a moment to create a checklist for important information, such as bathing habits, preferred meals and sleep routine. Make an attempt to address any concerns ahead of time, and the transition to and from respite care should be smooth.
At Suncrest Hospice, we’re here to provide the assistance you need wherever you are on the hospice care journey. For more information on respite care, or to arrange for a free consultation, contact our office in Fremont, California, today.
