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How Hospice Respite Care Can Help You Cope

When you think about caring for your loved one, a break for yourself might be the last thought on your mind. Breaks are one of the many ways you can support yourself as a family caregiver. They’re an essential part of:

  • Avoiding or managing burnout
  • Addressing your needs and well-being
  • Supporting your health and relationships
  • Providing quality care to your care recipient

At Trualta, we know how important support is for caregivers. Whether you want to improve your hands-on caregiving skills, connect with other caregivers, or get support from a care coach, we’re here to help you on your journey. Check if you have free access. 

Accessing Respite Care 

Respite care provides a primary caregiver with short-term relief from caregiving responsibilities. These breaks can last from a few hours to a few weeks at a time. They’re designed to give caregivers time to recharge and focus on their own needs. Getting a break can allow caregivers time to:

  • Rest
  • Exercise
  • Care for their own needs 
  • Be social with friends or family
  • Engage in a hobby or leisure activity
  • Run errands or attend appointments
  • Go on a short trip out of town

What Is Hospice Respite Care?

Hospice respite care is a type of respite provided by a hospice care program. It’s exclusively for people receiving hospice services and must be arranged and approved by the hospice provider. Much like other respite services, hospice care services can give caregivers temporary relief from their caregiving responsibilities. Some people may also use hospice respite care when their loved one’s pain or symptoms can’t be managed at home, and they need to have a short stay at the hospital. 

Hospice respite might involve:

  • Care from different people and health care professionals. For example, certified hospice aides, professional nurses, volunteers, family, or other trained individuals.
  • Different locations. There are a few hospice care options. Hospice care might be a short stay in the hospital, hospice facility, or in-home respite services.
  • Additional services, like counseling or other support services, to help you and your family. 

How Can Hospice Respite Care Help Caregivers?

Hospice respite care is available if your care recipient is receiving hospice care at home or place of residence for their terminal illness. If your care recipient lives in a care facility, some respite programs may provide respite in these locations. While this can be a comforting, easy, and familiar place for your care recipient, it can put financial, physical, and emotional demands on you as a caregiver. Respite care services can help ease some of the caregiving responsibility that comes with caring for a hospice patient. 

Respite from home hospice care can benefit you and your care recipient. For example: 

  • Emotional support. Supporting your care recipient near the end of their life while they receive home hospice can be overwhelming and full of difficult emotions. Stress can lead to mental and physical illness over time. Respite is one of the many ways you can take care of your needs during this challenging time. 
  • More time to care for your needs. It has probably felt like a long time since you’ve done something for yourself–even if it’s something small, like going for a walk or taking a longer shower. The little things can mean a lot when you’re a caregiver. Respite gives you time back so you can focus on your well-being–whatever that means for you. You can watch an episode of your favorite TV show, go shopping, take a nap, or spend time with a friend. 
  • Improved sleep. You may find yourself staying up late so you can find time for yourself. Over time, you may lose the sleep you need to feel rested and repaired for the next day. With respite, you don’t need to wait until your care recipient goes to bed to do activities for yourself. 
  • Something to look forward to. You might start looking forward to your next respite visit–and that’s perfectly okay! Wanting breaks and time to recharge is normal. 
  • Providing better care. When you have time to focus on your needs, rest, and recharge, you can feel more energized and provide better care to your loved one. 
  • Decreased guilt or anxiety for your loved one. Hospice patients may feel guilty for needing extra care and support. A respite care service may help them feel better knowing that you’re getting the support you need, too. 
A middle-aged woman with long dark hair, wearing a blue medical uniform, is assisting a middle-aged asian woman who is lying on a bed. The patient, wearing a beige cardigan, is smiling while receiving help. The caregiver is holding her hand and appears to be helping her sit up. The background includes a cream-colored bed, a light-colored pillow, and a window with beige blinds.

Signs You May Need Hospice Respite Care

A major indicator that a caregiver needs hospice respite care is when they (or others) notice burnout–a state of physical, mental, or emotional exhaustion. Caregiver burnout can manifest in different ways in different people or in different situations. For example, it might look like:

  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Decline in your physical health
  • Emotional changes like sadness, resentment, frustration, despair, or lashing out 
  • Gaining or losing a lot of weight in a short period
  • Feeling like you’re running out of time to do activities you need to do 
  • No longer doing important self-care activities like leisure, socializing, or exercising
  • Feeling like you don’t have time for activities you love 

For some people, burnout risks may not be obvious until it’s already happening. Here are some other signs that you might notice: 

  • You need support while recovering from an injury or illness
  • Caregiving feels overwhelming, or you feel like you’re at your limit emotionally, mentally, or physically
  • You feel like your care recipient would benefit from professional support with symptoms of their illness
  • You have other responsibilities, appointments, or events that you need to attend
  • You simply feel like you could use a break from thinking about or attending to caregiving responsibilities
  • You want to get back to doing activities that fulfill you or spend time with friends and family who you’ve lost touch with

It can feel hard to know when it’s the “right” time to seek respite care. The simple answer is: as soon as possible. Respite care is the most helpful when you:

  • Use it before you “need” it. The earlier in your caregiving career, the better!
  • Use it regularly and frequently, if possible. Medicare has rules about how much respite it will cover for hospice care, but you could also look into informal respite options, like a friend or family member. A social worker or member of the hospice team may be able to help you find additional respite options or financial assistance you could explore. 
  • Plan the activities you want to do during breaks. This can help you use your time wisely and get the most out of your temporary relief from caregiving. Planning to take a nap counts! 
  • Use it along with other types of support. For example, talking to a counselor or support group for others with loved ones receiving hospice care. Talk to a member of the hospice team for recommendations on where you can get additional support. 

Don’t forget to check if you have free access to Trualta for more tips and tricks and to connect with our community of caregivers. 

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