Respite(3)

Nikster13

Hello everyone,

I am looking for anyone to provide guidance or the steps  to obtain respite, the steps etc. 

Thank you 

Emily 123

Hi Nikster,

I would start by looking at your local assisted living facilities. Many places with memory care will offer respite options.  If your loved one isn't at a memory care level yet, you may still have to pay at the memory care respite rate, but could work a deal with the AL to allow your loved one to participate in AL activities rather than the MC activities.  Or they may be able to offer a reduced rate for an AL short stay.  What it will boil down to in that case will be if your person has the potential to wander.

Nikster13

Thank you for your quick response. I really appreciate any help

Emily 123

I did a search here for 'respite so you can see the other threads:

https://www.alzconnected.org/discussion.aspx?g=search&f=151

We had to put my mom in respite, but it was at the place where she was in independent living already-it was just to give us some time to get her things moved. She did have to have a current TB test and the appropriate covid boosters and a (-) covid test.  You would want to check out how they handle meds (they usually like to set up their own blister packs).  I think there has to be a recent physician sign off on meds and any history and physical would need updating.  They had a facility physician who came to meet her and review her PCP's notes and her meds.  Most respites will supply the basics-bed/dresser, and will give you a list of what's needed for move in, but double check.  Amazon sells soft stickable clothing labels by Avery--you'll want to label everything that goes with them. Keep choices limited though--people don't need their entire wardrobe.  

RobinNicole

Hi Nikster,

Are you doing this for a specific reason?  I am asking because that may help you find the optimal place.  Last year I had to find respite care for my mom because of a house emergency.  I had already been planning with my brother that we needed to find permanent placement for my mom- aiming for later in the year, but once she was in we decided it was best to make it a permanent situation (which we of course did not tell my mom).  So if you are searching and that is something you are considering take that into account.  

I knew my mom’s facility offered respite care as that was one of the questions I had for places I was touring for later on.  I had done research but ended up using care patrol (like a a place for mom) for recommendations and accompanying me on the tours.  And when we needed it it came down to which facilities had respite rooms available.  For us, it worked as it was one of our top choices for long term as well.  

Emily gave great insight into the process.  They typically provide a furnished room (more like a hotel room and not one of the one bedrooms available for permanent residents). We got my mom in within a week and we had to arrange a PCP visit and sign off, a TB test an assessment by the facility with the nurse (to assess what level she was) and lots of paperwork.  My mom is in the second level of AL (needing queues etc) and by chance was placed on memory floor as that was last room.  We have never moved her as eventually she will need to be there and she has access to main floor and trips but also to her floor.  Never moved her to a one bedroom as she became used to her room and was hardly in there.  We filled out a lot of information about my mom so that the nurses and staff “could know her” and include her from the onset.  Although at home I had a medicine management locked box with time release compartments for her meds they made us include “medicine management” (they dispense it) to eliminate issues- (and its additional fee).   

I have a friend whose mom is at the same facility, came directly from the hospital for rehab / respite and has never left.  So, as I said above it depends on your needs.  For them, they paid for extra PT, but it was to keep her in a safe place with others while she recovered.

Hope this is helpful- please keep us posted

Nikster13

Thank you