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Alzheimer’s Disease: Respite Care |
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Respite Care
Frequently Asked Questions & Concerns
What is Respite Care?
Respite Care means a brief period of relief or rest from care giving responsibilities, and is provided to caregivers on  an intermittent, occasional, or emergency basis in a manner that responds to the individual needs.
Examples of “temporary” Respite Care: Intermittent-Time off a few hours once a week for a limited time to give the caregiver a planned or unscheduled break. Occasional-Time off for the caregiver to attend a special event. Emergency-Extended break to address an intervening circumstance, such as caregiver emotional stress or hospitalization and recovery.
Who will provide this care?
The California Central Coast Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association received a grant from the Area Agency on Aging of Ventura County to provide respite care for those caregivers who are caring for a loved one with dementia*. The Alzheimer’s Association will provide this service to those who are 60 years of age or older with dementia living in the Ventura County area. The Association works with several professional Ventura County health care agencies to provide respite care to families.
What will the relief caregiver do?
Respite care is designed to provide temporary relief to the primary caregiver. The relief caregiver does patient-specific duties that contribute toward the care and well-being of the client. These may include companion care or ambulating and transfer assistance, range of motion exercises, bathing, incontinence care, and meal preparation or companion care. Although not housekeepers, your relief caregiver may tidy up the patient’s living space, change bed linens, and even run a load of laundry as long as the needs are related to patient care.
How can I get this service for myself, a friend or relative?
For any respite authorization and Alzheimer’s Care Consultant must visit the home and interview the caregiver. After the interview, the Alzheimer’s Association Assessment Panel will make a determination based upon the greatest need. The panel meets once weekly to review all requests for respite. The caregiver will be notified by letter as to the respite request decision. If approved, the Alzheimer’s Association will send an authorization to one of the many companies we partner with for respite services. The caregiver will then receive a visit from the agency to set up a time and date for the respite to begin. A Care Consultant will follow-up with you to make sure respite is working for your needs.
*Funded in part by the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging
Submitted by the Central Coast Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association
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