Pros and Cons of Respite Care
May 16, 2025
|By Careassure
|6 min read
Table of Contents
You and your loved one can take a break and recharge when you plan a short-term stay at a residential nursing home through a respite program. However, this option has benefits and drawbacks, which you should weigh carefully before making a reservation for the stay. Is there anything negative about respite, I hear you ask? What are the possible drawbacks to placing a loved one you care for in the care of another party for a limited amount of time so that you and the person you care for both can take a break? There are a few important things that every family should be aware of well before they decide to place a loved one in respite care. This article focuses on NDIS respite care, the pros as well as the cons that come with it.
How to reduce the dangers associated with respite care
You, your loved one, and your long-term care arrangement all stand to gain tremendously from the available residential respite care. If you are considering providing your loved one with short-term care during respite, consider how you might mitigate the potential for any adverse impacts.
1. Bringing down the price
As was previously indicated, it is possible that respite care is not the best choice for your finances if you are only qualified for a modest Daily Accommodation Contribution (DAC) or if you are not eligible for DAC at all. You can consider conversing with your loved one about finding a permanent placement instead. This will allow you to take advantage of the permanent subsidies and pension benefits that are given to permanent residents. We strongly suggest that you speak with an aged care financial expert if you are particularly concerned about the costs of elderly care and are unsure which option is appropriate for your circumstances.2. Securing a permanent spot
If you go into a stay at a respite care facility with the proper frame of mind, you can significantly increase your chances of being accepted for a placement that will be more permanent. You and the person you care about should have an in-depth conversation about the benefits of respite stays before making a decision. It is essential to view the provision of respite care not only as a means of obtaining a break but rather as an opportunity – and this applies to both parties involved. If you keep a positive attitude, you'll be able to look at your interactions with other people as an opportunity to learn and grow via new experiences. Your willingness to form new connections will assist you in having positive interactions not only with carers but also with other residents. If nursing homes feel that you would be a good addition to their community, they will be more likely to offer you a permanent placement.3. Taking care of your need for allied health care
When added to the cost of respite care, the expenses you incur for allied health care may make the service unaffordable for you. On the other hand, you might be able to manage your bookings for allied health services so that they fit your needs. During your stay in residential respite care, for instance, you might be able to avoid the need for allied health care by scheduling your visit at a time when you already have an appointment scheduled. Is it also feasible to change the time of your appointment to one when you are at your house? During your stay, would it be acceptable for you to miss one of your appointments? You and your loved one will be able to enjoy a respite visit more fully if you can avoid incurring the financial burden of paying for allied health care during that time.4. Arranging backup care
Even if it is quite improbable that you would need to stay in the hospital during your respite, it is still a good idea to make arrangements for backup care. If you wind up having to go to the hospital and lose your placement at the respite centre, you will already have somewhere to go after you get out of the hospital. It could be another family member or a close friend willing to step in and provide care in a crisis or for a short period.Conclusion
There aren't that many drawbacks to using respite care. Even though you might have certain concerns, such as how your loved one will react when they are with a new person, you won't need to worry about addressing those issues because they can be simply resolved. Since you now understand how respite care operates, you can take advantage of its benefits, such as the ability to feel calm and in good health even while you carry out your responsibilities.
Families in the Adelaide area of South Australia who are having trouble locating trustworthy and well-rated home care services can turn to Care Assure. Cooking, bathing, light cleaning, and exercise are just some of the activities our respite and live-in carers are properly trained to assist people with. Our carers also receive excellent training to assist seniors with other critical duties. You can speak with one of our committed care managers about the excellent quality of our in-home care services.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Respite care is a form of short-term care designed to provide temporary relief to caregivers. It offers a short break from the ongoing responsibilities of caring for a loved one. Respite care can be in many forms, including in-home care, daycare centres, or residential facilities. Read more on several respite care options available in Australia to help you make informed decisions.
