Family caregivers rarely ask for a break until something forces one: a surgery, a wedding out of state, a hard winter. A respite stay is a furnished apartment with full care for a week or more, so the person you care for is safe and you can rest.
How it works
Your parent moves into a furnished apartment with linens and a TV. Meals, medications, personal care and every activity on the calendar are included. The nurse on duty checks in every day, and I call the family on day two.
What it costs
Respite in assisted living is $215 a day and memory care respite is $265 a day, with a seven-night minimum. Long-term care insurance and some VA benefits can pay for it. Medicare pays only as part of hospice care.
How fast it can start
Usually within five days. We need a physician’s report, a TB screening and a medication list. If you are coming from a hospital, we work directly with the discharge planner.
A trial run
About a third of our respite guests later move in. A week of real days tells a family more than any tour, and the days you have paid count toward the community fee if you decide to stay.
