What Is Respite Care? Examples and How It Works

Respite care is a planned break for the person who looks after an aging parent. It can last a few hours, a night or a week, and it can happen at home or somewhere else. Below you’ll find six everyday examples of respite care for family caregivers, how in-home and facility respite differ and how to set it up in Pensacola.

What is respite care?

The ARCH National Respite Network defines it simply: “Respite is a service that provides a temporary break from caregiving for the family caregiver.”

Two words in that definition matter. Temporary means respite doesn’t replace you. Break means it’s for you as much as for your parent.

Respite can be medical or non-medical. Sonshine Companion Care provides non-medical respite: a caregiver comes to your parent’s home for company, meals, housekeeping, errands and reminders while you step away. We don’t provide nursing or medical care.

Respite care for family caregivers: six examples

These six examples are made up to show how respite can look. They aren’t Sonshine client stories.

A weekend away. Maria’s brother is getting married out of state. A caregiver stays with her mom on Saturday and Sunday, so Maria can go and not worry about the phone.
A daughter’s surgery. Dana is having a planned procedure and needs a few days to recover. A caregiver covers the visits she normally makes, and her dad’s routine doesn’t change.
A regular Tuesday off. Tom’s mother is fine on her own for most of the week, but Tom hasn’t had an afternoon to himself in months. Every Tuesday, a caregiver spends four hours with her. Tom runs errands, sees friends or just sits quietly.
A full night of sleep. Linda wakes several times a night for her husband. A caregiver stays overnight twice a week, and Linda sleeps in her own bed. (See overnight care.)
A week of vacation. Ray hasn’t taken a vacation in three years. He books one week away and arranges daily visits for his mother ahead of time.
An afternoon to try it out. Priya isn’t ready for a break yet but wants to know what it’s like. She books one short visit, meets the caregiver and decides what comes next.

Respite doesn’t have to be dramatic. The Family Caregiver Alliance says respite “can be arranged for varying lengths of time,” from a few hours to a week or longer.

In-home respite or facility respite?

In-home respite means a caregiver comes to your parent’s house. Your parent keeps their own bed, meals, pets and routine. It may suit a parent who prefers familiar surroundings and one familiar face.

Adult day centers work differently. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, they “offer a place where the person with Alzheimer’s can be with others in a safe environment.” Your parent leaves home for the day and comes back in the evening.

Facility respite means a stay away from home. The Alzheimer’s Association says “long-term care communities may offer the option for a stay overnight, for a few days or a few weeks.” That can fit a longer trip, but it means your parent sleeps somewhere new.

Sonshine provides in-home respite. We’re not a facility, and we don’t run an adult day center. The right choice depends on your parent: how they handle change, how long you’ll be away and what you’re comfortable with.

When to start, and how to ask for a break

Most people wait too long. ARCH says respite “will be most helpful if you use it before you become exhausted, isolated, and overwhelmed by your responsibilities.”

The Alzheimer’s Association suggests you “try providers out in a non-emergency situation, so you’re ready if the need arises.” That’s what example six does.

If asking feels hard, start small:

Pick one thing you want to do for yourself, such as a nap, an appointment or lunch with a friend.
Tell your parent it’s a few hours, and that someone will be there.
Offer a trial visit instead of a permanent arrangement.

Needing a break doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. It means you’re doing it for a long time.

How to arrange respite care in Pensacola

Sonshine serves families in Pensacola, Pensacola Beach, Pace and Milton. Here’s how it works:

Call or send a message. Tell us who needs care and when you want a break. Call 1 to 3 days before you want us to start.
Meet for free. Your first consultation is free, at your home or wherever your parent lives.
Set the days and hours. You decide how many days a week and how many hours a day.
Care begins. The first week is prepaid, then you pay week to week.

You can learn about all our care on the services page or ask us a question.

Questions about respite care

How long can respite care last?

Respite can last a few hours, a night, a weekend or a week or longer, according to the Family Caregiver Alliance. At Sonshine, you set the days and hours.

Is respite care medical care?

It can be, but it doesn’t have to be. Sonshine provides non-medical respite care: company, meals, housekeeping, errands and reminders. We don’t provide nursing.

Who is respite care for?

Respite care is for the family caregiver. Your parent receives company and help at home, and you get a break.

Does needing respite mean I’m giving up?

No. The ARCH National Respite Network describes respite as a temporary break. You’re still the one who knows your parent best.

Take a break that’s planned, not forced

If you’ve been thinking about a break, start with a free consultation. Tell us what a good week looks like for your parent, and we’ll build the schedule around it.

Request care Call (850) 764-6638

Related: Does Medicare pay for respite care?