Respite Care
Respite care is a short-term stay at a skilled nursing facility designed to give family caregivers a break. If you’ve been caring for a loved one at home and you’re running on empty, whether it’s a planned vacation, a medical procedure of your own, or just hitting a wall, respite care means your loved one is safe and cared for while you step away.
This isn’t giving up. It’s the opposite. Caregiver burnout is real and well-documented. The Family Caregiver Alliance reports that more than 50 million Americans provide unpaid care to a family member, and a significant number experience depression, anxiety, and physical health decline as a result. Taking a break so you can keep going is one of the smartest things you can do.
How it works
A respite stay at MediLodge can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. During that time, your loved one receives 24-hour nursing care, meals, medication management, and access to therapy and activities. The care team develops a short-term plan based on your loved one’s needs, and you get regular updates.
Who uses it
Family caregivers who need time to rest, recover from their own health issues, handle travel or family obligations, or simply recharge. It’s also used when a caregiver’s schedule temporarily can’t accommodate the demands of home care: a work commitment, a family emergency, or a home renovation, for example.
Paying for respite care
Some Medicare Advantage plans and long-term care insurance policies include respite benefits. Medicaid waiver programs in Michigan may also cover short respite stays. The Medicare Hospice Benefit includes inpatient respite care for hospice patients (up to five days at a time) to give caregivers relief. Many families pay privately for non-hospice respite stays. Contact your local facility for pricing details.
When you need a break
Find a MediLodge location near you and contact the facility directly to arrange a respite stay. Planning ahead helps, but we understand that sometimes the need comes up fast.