Understanding the Value of Respite Care

Simple acts of self-care can help boost your mental health and keep you stronger for your caregiving responsibilities.

When you’re able to rest and recharge, you’ll have more energy to help your loved one. If you don’t take care of your own needs, you might experience burnout, which can make caregiving even more challenging.

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can make it difficult to stay on top of all the other demands on your plate. When you get a break from caregiving, you can get back to other things in your life and return to caregiving with less distractions and more focus.

When a person with Alzheimer’s visits a respite care center, like an adult day care center, they can get to know others who have similar experiences. This can help fight loneliness and isolation. Plus, it keeps your loved one mentally active.

Respite care centers often offer special programs for people with Alzheimer’s, like music therapy, pet therapy, or puzzle-making. These activities help your loved one keep their mind active in a safe, comfortable environment.

Simple acts of self-care can help boost your mental health and keep you stronger for your caregiving responsibilities.

When you’re able to rest and recharge, you’ll have more energy to help your loved one. If you don’t take care of your own needs, you might experience burnout, which can make caregiving even more challenging.

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can make it difficult to stay on top of all the other demands on your plate. When you get a break from caregiving, you can get back to other things in your life and return to caregiving with less distractions and more focus.

When a person with Alzheimer’s visits a respite care center, like an adult day care center, they can get to know others who have similar experiences. This can help fight loneliness and isolation. Plus, it keeps your loved one mentally active.

Respite care centers often offer special programs for people with Alzheimer’s, like music therapy, pet therapy, or puzzle-making. These activities help your loved one keep their mind active in a safe, comfortable environment.

You can search online or make phone calls to find local organizations that offer respite care. A few places to start include the Community Resource Finder from AARP and the Alzheimer’s Association (also available at 1-800-272-3900) and the Eldercare Locator from the U.S. Administration on Aging (also available at 1-800-677-1116).

Once you’ve found respite care in your community, email the organization or give them a call. Ask any questions you might have and take notes about what they offer. If it sounds like the right fit, ask how you can get started.

Once you’ve set up respite care, use the time to do whatever you want. Try to avoid pressuring yourself about what you “should” do. See friends, get some exercise, or simply rest and relax. The point of respite care is that it’s your time to take care of yourself.

You can search online or make phone calls to find local organizations that offer respite care. A few places to start include the Community Resource Finder from AARP and the Alzheimer’s Association (also available at 1-800-272-3900) and the Eldercare Locator from the U.S. Administration on Aging (also available at 1-800-677-1116).

Once you’ve found respite care in your community, email the organization or give them a call. Ask any questions you might have and take notes about what they offer. If it sounds like the right fit, ask how you can get started.

Once you’ve set up respite care, use the time to do whatever you want. Try to avoid pressuring yourself about what you “should” do. See friends, get some exercise, or simply rest and relax. The point of respite care is that it’s your time to take care of yourself.

Alzheimer's Resources Near You

The Value of Respite

How Respite Care Can Help

It lets you rest and relax.

It helps you be a better caregiver.

It allows you to maintain life balance.

It helps your loved one fight loneliness and isolation.

It lets your loved one enjoy special programs.

It lets you rest and relax.

It helps you be a better caregiver.

It allows you to maintain life balance.

It helps your loved one fight loneliness and isolation.

It lets your loved one enjoy special programs.

You Can Take Action

Find care near you.

Contact local organizations.

Enjoy your time off.

Find care near you.

Contact local organizations.

Enjoy your time off.