Are you feeling burned out from the responsibility of acting as a caregiver to a loved one? It may be time to consider utilizing senior respite care. That’s the name for professional services that give you a temporary break from your caregiving routine. Such a break can be crucial to your emotional and physical well-being. But how often can you rely on the services of a senior respite care program? To learn more about Parkway Place’s respite care program for seniors, contact us at 281.305.1846 today.
The Basics of a Senior Respite Care
In recent years, many Americans are becoming primary caregivers for their elderly loved ones. There is tremendous dignity and pride in playing such a crucial role. However, as a rule, caregiving isn’t easy. Over time, its daily demands can leave you feeling:
- Stressed out
- Socially isolated
- Detached from an individual sense of purpose
- Emotionally drained
- Physically unwell
The goal of respite care services for seniors is to give you a chance to take a much-needed break. A trained professional will take over your caregiving responsibilities during your time away. That professional may provide services in your home. However, you may also have access to a local senior living facility that offers respite care on their campus.
How Often Can I Use Respite Care?
The frequency with which you can take advantage of respite care services depends on your situation. Some families will require such services as soon as possible, while others may use them sparingly. At Parkway Place, we can offer flexible respite care solutions tailored to meet your individual needs.
In some cases, respite care services may be available for up to a week in duration. That can allow you to take a vacation or attend to personal matters. In other cases, you may require more frequent use of respite care services such as overnight stays or weekend trips.
Regardless of your particular situation, it’s important to remember that respite care is meant to provide you with a break from the demands of caregiving. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You deserve it.
Respite Care Frequency for Those Paying Privately
Most private insurance plans do not cover the costs of respite care services for seniors. This means you may have to pay out of pocket for the help you receive. However, since you’re paying for respite care, there is typically no limit on how often you can use it. Whenever you want to take a break, you can. Of course, your available finances may limit your respite care use frequency. You may also need to ask your chosen provider if they impose frequency limits on their senior respite care.
Respite Care Frequency for Those Paying With Medicare or Medicaid
Original Medicare
Original Medicare (Medicare Part A) provides some coverage for senior respite care. However, to use this coverage, you must meet certain requirements. First and foremost, Original Medicare will only pay for hospice-related respite care. This means that the person you’re caring for must:
- Meet current criteria for hospice care
- Use a Medicare-certified facility
- Follow all other applicable rules
If you meet Original Medicare’s criteria, you can use respite care for up to five consecutive days per billing cycle.
Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C)
Medicare Advantage gives you more flexibility for respite care frequency. That’s true because some Advantage plans provide broader respite care coverage than Original Medicare. However, not all plans do so. Check the details of your coverage to see which time limits apply to you.
Medicaid
You may also be able to use respite care under your state’s Medicaid rules. But, as with Medicare Advantage, those rules differ from state to state. Your specific Medicaid coverage will determine if you can use it to pay for respite care. It will also determine how often you can use available respite care services.
Turn to Parkway Place for More Information on Using a Senior Respite Care Program
Want to know more about how often you can find relief with respite care? The senior living experts at Parkway Place are here for you. We can answer any question you may have about using senior respite care services.
Parkway Place also specializes in providing senior respite care in our modern, convenient facility. We’re committed to supporting your loved one’s well-being while you take a break from your responsibilities. Just contact us today at 281.305.1846 to get the process started. You can also contact us via our online form.