Read more about respite care and what it provides in this overview.
What Is Mental Health Respite Care?
Mental health respite care is a system of services offering a temporary break between a caregiver and their loved one with mental illness. Trained volunteers or staff can come to your home or let your loved one stay at a daycare center or residential facility. Services can be arranged in advance or available during an emergency or crisis.
What Mental Health Respite Provides
Mental health respite care gives caregivers and other family members time to tend to self-care and other responsibilities. The individual with mental illness also has opportunities to interact with others safely and participate in planned activities.
Respite for Caregivers of Adults
Respite care includes planned in-home services that can last for an hour, a day, or overnight. Adult daycare centers for older adults operate on weekdays during daytime hours. Residential programs such as group homes, hospitals, and nursing homes can provide planned or emergency overnight services.
Special respite services for youth caregivers of adults may be available in your area as well.
Respite for Caregivers of Kids
Respite services for caregivers of kids are similar to programs for adults. In-home, daycare, and residential options are available for children with mental illness as well. Programs include age-appropriate activities.
Respite daycare for kids is different from traditional child daycare because it is provided on a short-term basis.
Types of Respite
Several types of respite care programs may be available near you. Assess your and your loved one’s needs and means to determine the best options for your situation.
Crisis Home Support Care
Crisis home support care places your loved one with a screened “professional family." The “family members” provide emotional and practical support. Mental health professionals visit daily to plan treatment.
Crisis respite apartments and centers
Crisis respite centers and apartments provide a welcoming environment in which your loved one can stay for 24 hours. Crisis workers or volunteers observe and support the patient until stabilized and referred to other services. Peer support specialists may offer encouragement and assistance.
Crisis In-Home Support Care
Crisis in-home support provides the same services as respite centers at home. This option can be suitable if your loved one doesn’t need to be separated from their everyday surroundings.
Who Delivers Respite?
Many caregiver support programs include respite assistance. Your local Agency on Aging may administer the Family Caregiver Support Program (FCSP). Nonprofits and private agencies provide respite services for all ages at no cost or for a fee.
These facilities and organizations offer mental health respite services in many communities:
Alcohol and drug rehab facilitiesSober living housesNursing homesAssisted living facilitiesReligious establishmentsCommunity centersEasterseals
What Occurs During Respite Care?
In-home respite care providers can render personal care or help with meal preparation, housekeeping, and errands. Skilled healthcare professionals can offer specialized medical assistance if needed.
In-home care: $23. 50 per hourAdult daycare: $74 per dayAssisted living facility: $141 per dayNursing home: semiprivate room - $255 per day, private room - $290 per day
Adult and youth daycare centers provide a safe, supportive environment with meals and snacks. Trained volunteers or behavioral specialists coordinate lessons, games, and social activities.
Ways to Qualify
Your or your loved one’s primary care doctor or therapist might refer your family to local or state agencies for mental health respite services. Family Voices chapters can also help you find out which services your child may qualify for.
The American Rescue Plan of 2021 has expanded funding for mental health crisis intervention programs for Medicaid recipients. Check with your state Medicaid agency about respite care coverage under this provision.
Summary
Mental health respite care gives you and your loved one essential support and relief. Some services send a trained volunteer or professional to your home to provide care. In other situations, your loved one could stay in a facility during the day or for an extended time. Social services can arrange or point you to respite programs in your area.
A Word From Verywell
The responsibilities of caregiving can increase your risk for developing physical, mental, and financial problems. Even if you feel that no one will care for your loved one as well as you, you need rest to maintain your own well-being. It’s not selfish or neglectful to take a break.
Consider beforehand how you will use respite time to make the most of it. Familiarize yourself with providers, particularly those who offer emergency services. Please reach out for support before you feel out of control or burned out. Respite care can help you and your loved one diffuse a volatile situation or regroup to face life together again.
