Caring daily for a senior loved one can be physically and emotionally taxing. Family caregivers often sacrifice their own self-care. Respite care offers periodic relief so caregivers can take a break knowing their loved one is in good hands. Home Matters provides customized respite care for families in Houston Metro.
Our compassionate team provides supervision, companionship and assistance while primary caregivers recharge. Respite offers peace of mind during needed time off.
Overview of Respite Care
Respite care involves having a trained caregiver come to the home temporarily while unpaid family caregivers take a break from their regular caregiving duties. The respite caregiver provides oversight and assists the senior with:
- Personal care like bathing, grooming, oral care
- Mobility around the house and transfers
- Toileting/incontinence care as needed
- Medication reminders and preparation
- Preparing nutritious meals and snacks
- Safety supervision and companionship
- Light exercise and range-of-motion
- Transportation to appointments if needed
- Social and cognitive engagement through activities
- Monitoring health status
Respite care allows primary family caregivers to address their own health, relationships and responsibilities with the assurance a trusted caregiver is looking after their loved one. Services are tailored to abilities.
Benefits of Respite Care for Houston Metro Families
Respite offers many benefits for both senior loved ones and family caregivers:
For seniors:
- Provides companionship and mental engagement
- Helps seniors recall daily routines like taking medications
- Ensures proper nutrition through meal preparation
- Allows seniors to remain comfortably at home
- Offers stimulation through conversation, activities
- Promotes safety through supervision and oversight
- Enables seniors to stay active and participate in care
For family caregivers:
- Provides periodic relief from daily care
- Offers time to focus on self-care, relationships, work
- Reduces caregiver stress, anxiety and burnout
- Allows caregivers to complete tasks requiring focus
- Provides reassurance on loved one’s safety
- Helps re-energize caregivers emotionally and physically
- Enables caregivers to sustain responsibilities long-term
Respite care benefits the health and wellbeing of both seniors and their devoted family members. It serves an important role in elder care.
Types of Respite Services
Home Matters provides several types of respite care to meet different families’ needs:
In-Home Respite – Caregivers come to the senior’s home for a few hours or days to provide assistance and supervision in familiar surroundings.
Overnight Respite – A caregiver stays overnight with the senior to allow family members an uninterrupted night of rest.
Emergency Respite – We arrange care urgently when unexpected situations prevent family from providing care.
Post-Hospital/Rehab Respite – Services help transition seniors home safely from healthcare facilities.
Travel Respite – Caregivers stay with the senior while family members take vacations or business trips.
Short-Term Respite Stays – Seniors stay at licensed respite facilities for family trips or when more intensive care is temporarily needed.
Home Matters coordinates the appropriate type and duration of respite fit for each family’s circumstances. Our team provides trusted, reliable respite care seven days a week when families need quality time off.
Our Respite Screening and Safety Process
We take extra steps to ensure safe, successful respite care:
- Discuss medical conditions, behaviors, risks requiring supervision
- Review medication regimen, abilities, routines and needs
- Provide home safety inspection and family education
- Match most appropriate caregiver based on experience
- Introduce caregiver to senior before leave to establish rapport
- Have family provide clear written instructions for care, meals, preferred activities
- Provide family contact info and 24/7 on-call availability
- Follow up with family after respite visit for feedback
Our rigorous preparation and screening ensures effective respite care tailored to each Houston Metro senior’s unique needs. Contact Home Matters today to learn more.
FAQs About Respite Care
Many families have questions when first considering respite care. Here are some common inquiries:
When should we consider using respite care?
When family caregivers feel exhausted, emotionally drained, irritable or need time to focus on self-care or other responsibilities.
How long can respite care last?
From a few hours to multiple weeks depending on families’ needs and budget. Any duration can help caregivers recharge.
How do we schedule or request respite care?
Contact Home Matters at least 1 week before needing care to allow preparation. Emergencies are accommodated faster when possible.
What activities will respite caregivers engage in with my senior loved one?
We discuss preferred activities ahead of time. Caregivers engage seniors mentally and physically within their abilities.
How are respite caregivers trained and what screening do they undergo?
Extensive background checks, reference checks, proper training in medical/safety protocols. They are professionally certified.
What if my loved one declines or has needs beyond the abilities of the respite caregiver?
We directly contact the family if any needs emerge beyond the original care plan and discuss next steps.
Does insurance cover respite care?
Some long term care policies have respite provisions. Medicaid waivers may provide limited coverage in some states. Many families pay privately.
Respite care helps Houston Metro families sustain care long-term. Please contact Home Matters with any additional questions on our respite services.
Contact us at 832-371-6600 to find out more about how in-home senior care from Home Matters Caregiving Houston can provide you with the lifeline you need to enjoy a healthier quality of life.
Home Matters Caregiving proudly serves the Houston Metro area providing care for seniors wherever they call home.
