One of the most important aspects of caregiving is caring for ourselves. Respite care can provide a break from caregiving and offer a short-term alternative placement for the IWD. Many misconceptions surround respite care and how it is obtained.
Reasons to use respite care are straight-forward. One might need a break from caregiving stress and responsibilities to travel to an event the IWD cannot attend, recover from one’s own illness or surgery, or “try out” a senior community while considering placement. These respite breaks can be rejuvenating and may even prolong the time our loved one can remain at home. Many nursing homes and assisted living facilities offer short-term respite stays.
Respite care is not covered by Medicare unless the IWD is in hospice with an agency that offers it. If respite services are offered, CMS covers up to five days at a time at a facility chosen by the hospice agency for 95% of the approved amount. The remaining 5% is the patient’s responsibility/copay. Our experience is that this is offered once a year by the hospice agency IF the agency determines this as a need. Some long-term care insurance will also cover a portion of the respite expense-- each plan is different. Otherwise, the respite placement is paid out of pocket. Depending on the facility chosen, this can vary in cost from $125 to several hundred dollars a day for nursing care. My cousin recently paid over $3000 a week for memory care respite for his wife while he recovered from surgery. She stayed at the rehabilitation facility where she attends day care. She was not enrolled in hospice at the time.
Respite care is almost unaffordable for most individuals without long term care insurance or hospice. Our society needs to put an emphasis on caring for those who devote their time and energy to caring for some of our most vulnerable members.
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