Respite
Respite care provides a family caregiver with a temporary break from the care of a dependent loved one. Respite can help caregivers maintain their own health by restoring energy, relieving stress and promoting balance in their life; it can come in many forms: in-home, at a care facility, overnight or simply for a day. Options include, but are not limited to:
- Family or friends
- Volunteer companions
- Milestones Day Center in Cedar Rapids or Marion
- Non-medical, in-home care agencies
- Aging Services
- Care centers offering overnight respite
The Family Caregivers Center of Mercy can help determine the right respite solution for you and assist you in connecting with local resources.
Even if you do not feel the need to arrange respite care now, it may be helpful to prepare should a need suddenly arise. Knowing who you can comfortably turn to ahead of time can help lessen the challenges in what could be a stressful situation.
If you are interested in learning more about respite care and how it could help you, contact the Family Caregivers Center at (319) 221-8866 or email fcgc@mercycare.org.