Family caregivers of terminally ill persons are generous, compassionate individuals. They care for loved ones in the familiar surroundings of their own home or community. These caregivers are "on call" 24-hours a day, seven days a week because they want to see their loved one remain in the comfort and security of their own environment. But as some point, even the caregiver needs a break, a rest, or a breather. The caregiver needs respite.

Caregiver stress can lead to physical and emotional distress that can interfere with the ability to provide care. Family caregivers save federal, state and local governments, which are faced with the challenge of covering health and long-term care expenses by terminally ill persons, a great deal of money.

In the billions

If the work of caregivers had to be replaced by paid home health staff, the estimated cost would be $45 billion to $94 billion per year according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The word "respite" means rest or relief. Respite care is a gift of time for rest, given by professionals, other family members, or volunteers to a primary caregiver. Respite care programs are designed to provide temporary short-term assistance in caring for an individual of any age who has special needs. Respite care comes in many forms and at a variety of locations.

Hospice service may offer a break through respite care, which is done in five-day periods.

During this time the patient will be cared for in a hospice facility or in a contracted bed in a nursing home.

It is intended to allow the caregivers to take some time away from the patient and the patient some time away from the caregiver. Respite care gives individuals an opportunity to emotionally recharge and become better prepared in handling the day-to-day challenges of care giving in the face of a chronic life-threatening illness. Hospice volunteers can also provide respite care in the home for short periods during the day if needed or desired.

Individual attention

For the caregiver, personal respite varies as much as the individual and could mean, for example, giving the caregiver a short break to attend a doctor's appointment or to go shopping; allowing the caregiver the opportunity to nap, bathe, or otherwise rejuvenate him or herself; attending a church service or seeing a movie; taking a much-needed vacation; pampering oneself with a hair appointment or manicure; scheduling elective surgery; or simply visiting friends or relatives.

For a number of reasons, it is often difficult for caregivers to seek and ask for time to themselves, but it is absolutely necessary that they do so. Caring for an ill family member or friend, combine with other family and employment responsibilities, can easily overwhelm a caregiver leaving him or her susceptible to illness. Friends and family members of caregivers should pay special attention to the caregiver and, if possible, help ease the care giving responsibility.

In the words of Tina, a family caregiver, "We are so appreciative of the support and help that was given to us through respite care.

We had the opportunity to get a break and watch our son wrestle and yet knew our loved one was in good, loving hands. And you know it allowed our family member time with someone else which was much appreciated."

Cheré Allan is the vice president of senior services at RiverStone Health. She can be reached at 247-3200 or chere.all@riverstonehealth.org.