Respite for Caregivers

1. Respite for Caregivers Identifying Your Care-Giving Role Developed by Nevada Lifespan Respite Care Program Funding provided from State of NV: Aging & Disability Services Division

2. Caregiver Stress • 14% of caregivers rate the physical strain of caregiving high – Caregiving in the US, 2009 • 31% rate the emotional stress of caregiving high – Caregiving in the US, 2009 • 23% of family caregivers caring for five years or more reported their health is fair or poor. - National Alliance for Caregiving, 2009 • 40% to 70% of family caregivers have clinically significant symptoms of depression. – Zarit, S. (2006) Assessment of family caregivers: A research perspective. Caregiver Assessment: Voices and Views from the Field, 2, 12-37.

3. Respite/breaks from caregiving are essential – to maintain a life outside of caregiving Caregivers need to know their needs & feelings count They must take care of their own health They have a right to ask questions and be listened to They have a right to not be abused or ignored They need help to identify sources of support and say “Yes” to offers of help Caregiver Needs

4. Making New Friends • Family • Occupation • Recreation • Message

5. Process of Accepting Respite • Understanding the care recipient’s disease or disabling condition sufficiently so that differences are no longer shocking, unexpected, or unprepared for. • Awareness of and exposure to others who can understand these differences and are not put off by them, even if these differences are embarrassing or hard to manage.

6. Accepting Respite, cont. • Allowing others to assist in care-giving while building the competency of others as they try to provide care, respond to differences, and learn how to support care recipient. • Fully entrusting care-giving to others, knowing that the care recipient is in good hands that will respond to needs, even if no one else provides care exactly as the caregiver would.