Respite care to help recharge the caregiver

How important is repite care to the health of the caregiver? The article in the Republican on June 24 provides real life examples of how respite care helps everyday people who are the primary caregivers of their elderly parents. An abstract from a pilot study conducted at the University of Florida on the effect of respite care on the stress levels of the caregivers suggests that a caregiver’s stress level will be minimized through respite care. Both of the previous materials are directly related to respite care for people caring for the elderly. However, every primary caregiver needs to take advantage of respite care services available in their region. A good resource for everyone on respite care is the ARCH National Respite Network. This website details the life of the Lifespan Respite Bill passed in 2006 and how it is completely underfunded. We all need to get in touch with our legislators and make sure that they fund the bill.

Lifespan Respite Program at risk

The Caregiver Support Blog provides useful information about the pending legislation that may not pass the appropriations committee. If this bill does not pass, funding will be cut for services to the disabled, and to family caregivers under the Lifespan Respite Care Act. The American Psychological Society has a great fact sheet on the Lifespan Respite Care Act that everyone should read. Once you have read the act, please contact your Senator at http://www.senate.gov and tell them to vote for the Fiscal 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill.