Respite care is a form of short-term substitute care that provides temporary relief for caregivers. These brief breaks from the duties of caregiving can be vital to maintaining a positive outlook for caregivers with many duties to juggle, some of them incredibly stressful. There are longer-term respite options that last for several weeks to a month. No matter how long a period of respite care one pursues, the goal is to give caregivers a break to focus on themselves and their personal responsibilities. Some caregivers may seek respite so they can work outside of the home or take care of personal tasks and errands. Respite helps unpaid caregivers find more balance in their lives and can be especially useful in the event of an emergency, such as if the caregiver falls ill and cannot perform their duties. Respite care providers offer a range of services, which can be catered to fit the needs of each individual client. Whether a senior needs medication assistance or just a bit of supervision and companionship, there are respite care workers who can provide the level of care they need. Some of the services offered by respite care providers include:

• Supervision and Companionship: If your loved one functions at a high level but you worry about leaving them home alone, respite care can provide supervision and companion services.
• Activities of Daily Living: Activities of daily living (ADLs) are essential tasks that one must accomplish each day, like dressing, bathing, and eating. ADL assistance is a standard service offered by almost all respite care providers.
• Basic Medical Care: Most respite care providers are equipped to handle basic medical care, like wound care or medication assistance. If your loved one requires medical care beyond these basics, be sure that you work with a provider with more advanced medical training.
• Household Tasks: Respite care workers can complete basic household tasks like laundry, grocery shopping, and light cleaning.
• Personal Attention: When provided in the home, respite care is one-on-one between the senior and caregiver. Seniors get individual attention and the caregiver is fully focusing on your loved one and their needs.