The Difference Between Respite Care and Hospice Care

If you want to support an aging family member, then it’s important you know the difference between respite care and hospice care. Read on to learn more.

Respite care is usually described as: “transferring the caregiving responsibilities to another person.”

Plus respite care has a few different forms.

For example…

• Some family caregivers choose to have somebody look after their loved ones for a few hours or a few days.
• Or, some family caregivers schedule respite cares for a far longer time.

What Do You Need to Understand When Caring for an Aging Loved One?

As you might know, I’m a bestselling wellness author – and a late in life mom – who wrote a longevity book called Life Is Long.

I’ve written a lot about how to care for yourself as you age.

Plus I’ve also written about how to care for an aging loved one. 

With this in mind, I decided to share this short guide about the caregiving industry.

Firstly, the caregiving industry in the United States has over 39.8 million family members who generously give their unpaid care to seniors.

Unfortunately, according to the Centers for Disease Control, over half of these family caregivers showed a decline in their overall health, which then compromised their capability to give care. 

Caring for an aging loved one is a combo of challenging and rewarding.

Family caregivers have to remember that it’s important to take relaxing vacations and practice self-care. After all, they need to make sure that they continue to find joy in caring for their loved ones. 

Taking time for self care is especially important for family caregivers who are taking care of a senior loved one who has a severe illness.

In fact, a study led by a prestigious university reported…

• Caring for a senior loved one with mild illness typically exhausts caregivers.
• When held responsible for a senior loved with a severe illness, caregivers stated emotional health tended to be more inferior than their friends. 
• The decrease in emotional health is linked to the inability of the caregivers to continue friendships and social goals. 

The purpose of the study was to acknowledge the many challenges and stressors that family caregivers experience. It’s wonderful how family caregivers and family members keep their promise to care for their aging loved ones. Yet, they also need time to relax and regain their strength in order to continue caring for their loved ones. 

The study suggests that older adults have higher emotional health than younger people. But not when they have a relative with a severe health condition. But not all older adults with sick relatives have low health. Rather, it depends on the severity of the ailment of the relative. 

Caring for an aging loved one can be rewarding and strengthen bonds within the family. But it is crucial to know that being a family caregiver can take a toll in many ways:

• feelings of loss
• physical strain
• stress

Caregivers risk the overall well-being and health when they do not account for their own needs and relax when needed. Respite care Senior Buddies Dallas gives an easy solution for many families.  

What is hospice respite care?

Respite care is a short-term relief for in-home care hospice caregivers. Medicare benefits pay for senior patients’ transport and up to five successive days of inpatient at a Medicare-approved hospital or nursing facility. You can receive respite care more than once, but only  periodically. 

Hospice respite care allows the family caregiver to recover and regain strength from the needs and demands of daily in-home care. It is also appropriate when the medical condition of the patient warrants a short-term inpatient stay for pain or other symptoms that you cannot manage at home. 

Common needs for inpatient respite… 

• You are emotionally or physically weary. 
• Family caregivers need additional help with the complex pain or other symptoms displayed by their aging loved ones. 
• You wish to attend significant or required social events. 
• You are sick and need time to regain strength. 

Important facts to know

• You must prearrange the care and get the approval of the hospice provider. 
• Continuous in-home care is not Medicare-approved as respite care. 
• Hospice care is not typically appropriate for senior patients in a nursing facility with 24/7 care. 
• Speak with your hospice care provider about Medicare hospice care rules. They have the necessary experience with the sometimes complex Medicare and state rules about hospice respite care.

Benefits of hospice respite care for family caregivers

Family members or relatives who take a break and recover are better hospice caregivers. They suffer lower burnout and have more energy to give to senior loved ones. Restoration comes from understanding your source of joy so you can impart comfort and care with others, especially to your senior loved ones. Sometimes allow yourself to have a new hobby or rediscover the old one. Reconnecting with old friends or socializing with them can recharge your soul and uplift your spirit. 

Hospice care caregivers can help with daily relief. 

They offer the gift of quality care for daily living activities including: 

• Companionship
• Writing letters and reading patients some stories
• Meal Planning and Meal Preparation
• Light housekeeping 
• Running errands
• Bathing, Grooming and Getting dressed

Stay Calm During Stressful Times

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