DEFINING RESPITE NEEDS
Know the time, the skills and the level of care you require
BY:FRAN SILVERMAN
Healthcare experts say that caregivers should begin considering their respite needs as soon as they take responsibility for caring for a loved one. Respite needs vary with each caregiver. A caregiver may require respite just a few times a year to go on vacation or trips. You might need respite each week, or a few hours a day, or at night so you can get some rest. You might need respite care once a week or several times a month.
When defining needs, consider the following:
What care do you provide for your loved one?
What will someone else have to do in your place—keep the person company; cook and feed that person a meal; dispense medication or check medical information (such as blood glucose levels); or provide physical care such as bathing, dressing and incontinence care?
How much time do you need—a few hours, an evening, a day, a week?
Does the respite-care provider have to be a trained health worker or can an untrained person handle the task with brief instruction from you?