Respite care programs provide planned short-term and time-limited breaks for families and other unpaid care givers of elderly adults in order to support and maintain the primary care giving relationship. In Kansas, adult care home regulations define respite care as “the provision of services to a resident on an intermittent basis for period of fewer than 30 days at any one time.” Respite care is one of the services that Alzheimer’s caregivers say they need most.  It allows a spell of short-term, temporary relief to those who are caring for family members who might otherwise require permanent placement in a facility outside the home.

In the United States today there are approximately 50 million people who are caring at home for family members including elderly parents, spouses and children with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses. Without this home-care, most of these cared for loved ones would require permanent placement in institutions or health care facilities.

Even though many families take great joy in providing care to their loved ones so that they can remain at home, the physical, emotional and financial consequences for the caregiver can be overwhelming without some support like respite care. Respite care can provide the much needed temporary break from the often exhausting challenges faced by the family caregiver.  Without respite care, not only can families suffer economically and emotionally, caregivers themselves may face serious health and social risks as a result of stress associated with continuous care giving.  Respite care has been shown to help sustain family caregiver health and well being, avoid or delay out-of-home placements, and reduce the likelihood of abuse and neglect.

Consider a respite care stay at Pratt Rehabilitation and Residence Center (PRRC) for the following reasons or occasions:

• The primary caregiver is getting run down or burned out and a respite care break might be the chance to rest and recover the energy to continue.
• The primary caregiver suffers a medical emergency or accident that will interrupt the ability to continue as the primary caregiver.
• The primary caregiver has a planned surgery or hospitalization that will interrupt the ability to continue as the primary caregiver.
• The primary caregiver will help arrange/attend a special family celebration, such as: wedding, birthday, baptism, first communion, graduation, holiday, family reunion, class reunion, or funeral.  The patient/resident will not be going.
• The primary caregiver will go on a planned vacation with friends or other family members.  The patient/resident will not be going.

How do I Arrange for Respite Care at PRRC?

Admission to the PRRC respite care program is almost the same as any other admission.  Call or stop by to visit and find out about our respite care program, arrangements and costs.  We would like as much notice as is possible.  Obviously, we can handle emergencies, but it is always better for the prospective resident, caregiver and others if the respite care stay is planned in advance.

What do we need from you for the respite care admission?

• You need to talk to the residents attending physician.  We will need an order from the physician for admission to the respite care program. 
• We need to have the admission scheduled (to insure availability of a room) and anticipated day to return home (discharge date).
• You will need to bring the resident’s medication in their original bottles at the time of admission.
• The resident will need enough clothes, toiletries, etc. for the stay.
• We need as much information about the resident’s normal routine as possible to help with the respite care transition.
• We need emergency contact information and caregiver itinerary, if possible.
• Payment needs to be made at the time of admission.

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