Respite care is a temporary break for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. It involves having a professional caregiver take over for the primary caregiver for a period of time so they can rest, attend to personal matters, or simply recharge.

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Respite care provides caregivers with a much-needed break and time to take care of their own needs. This can help prevent burnout and improve their ability to provide care over the long term.

Respite care has a number of benefits for Alzheimer’s caregivers, including:

• Giving caregivers a break and time to recharge
• Reducing stress and preventing burnout
• Improving caregivers’ overall health and well-being
• Providing opportunities for socialization and support
• Reducing the risk of abuse or neglect of the person with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia

There are several types of respite care available for Alzheimer’s caregivers, including:

• In-home respite care, where a professional caregiver comes to the caregiver’s home to provide care
• Adult day care, where the person with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia goes to a facility during the day
• Residential respite care, where the person with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia stays in a residential facility for a short period of time
• Respite vacations, where the caregiver and/or the person with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia go on vacation together or separately

To find respite care services in your area, you can:

• Ask your loved one’s doctor or other healthcare provider for recommendations
• Contact your local Alzheimer’s Association chapter for information and resources
• Search online for respite care providers in your area
• Check with local senior centers or community organizations for recommendations