Respite Care

Respite care is planned or emergency temporary care provided to give a break to the family members or other unpaid caregivers of a child or adult patient, most often someone with a disability or cognitive decline. A 2005 Commonwealth Fund survey found that sixty percent of family caregivers aged nineteen to sixty four reported health problems, compared with thirty three percent of people who were not caregivers, and respite care is intended to protect the caregiver's own health, help the patient stay in their own home longer, and reduce the risk of neglect or abuse. It takes several forms, including in-home respite care provided by a temporary caregiver, out-of-home care through licensed community facilities, group homes or specialized facilities for overnight or multi-day stays, prearranged emergency respite, and adult daycare programs run during business hours.