If you are the primary caregiver for a veteran receiving in-home care, you know it takes time and energy. It’s easy to focus so much on your loved one that you put their well-being ahead of yours. But burnout for caregivers is common if you don’t devote time to your own care.
On an airplane, the crew will tell us to put the oxygen mask on ourselves before helping a child or anyone else. This goes against our instincts, but similarly, a caregiver must be strong and healthy before they pour care into someone else.
Relief through Respite Care
It’s hard to ask for help. We get it. But you’re doing a great job and also need time for yourself. This is why the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers respite care for caregivers. The VA Respite Care program pays for a portion of in-home care for veterans, so their caregivers can take a break.
It’s hard to get to everything you want to do when caring for a loved one, and you don’t want to leave your loved one with just anyone. The VA Respite Care program will pay our trained professionals to come to your home and care for your veteran for six hours at a time, up to 30 days.
How you spend those hours is up to you, but the focus should be on your overall health and well-being. Caregivers of veterans often use this time for:
- Running errands
- Spending time with friends
- Committing time to hobbies
- Focusing on a personal goal
Some caregivers use their VA Respite Care benefit all at once and take a trip to re-energize. They feel at peace stepping away, knowing their loved one is properly cared for by our homecare professionals who are honored to care for your veteran while you press pause.
Caring for Caregivers
The VA created the Respite Care program because they know how hard it is for caregivers to find time for themselves or to put themselves first. Caregivers commonly give and give until there is nothing left. Although this intention of devoting yourself to helping your loved one is commendable and understandable, it is also essential to ensure you receive care.
The VA Respite Care program affirms that being a caregiver for a loved one can be a challenge. If you feel exhausted, frustrated, or deflated sometimes, you are right on track. The VA Respite Care program permits you to admit these emotions without guilt and to allow yourself the self-care necessary to find joy and purpose beyond your role as a caregiver.
Caregiver Respite Tool
You might forget what was important to you before you became a caregiver since all your attention has been on your loved one’s health. The VA recognizes you’ll need to do some self-reflection to understand how you could spend your time for respite care.
The VA has created a beneficial tool to help you rediscover your goals and what’s important to you for fulfillment. The questionnaire aims to reignite a spark within you as you remember activities you might have been neglecting and remember all the things that still make you who you are. Caring for your loved one might be a significant component of who you are, but what do you love beyond that?
Making Time for Yourself
What are you doing for your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being? Are you spending time with friends and family or carving out time for hobbies that energize you?
The VA Respite Care program helps you commit to a time to care for yourself instead of just saying you should get to that one day. It turns words into action to walk alongside you in your journey by helping to carry the weight.
Questions about Respite Care
People often have questions regarding eligibility, and we are well-versed in these.
Every enrolled veteran receiving care is eligible for respite care services for their family member who is their caregiver. It’s a service granted to veterans because the VA knows a relaxed caregiver can give better care, so both parties benefit.
We can help you navigate the paperwork and system, as it can be overwhelming if you’re unfamiliar. Luckily, we are. Why not take advantage of a benefit you and your veteran have earned by serving our country?
Contact us to answer your questions about the VA Respite Care program. Our trained and passionate caregivers will ensure your loved one is cared for while you care for another very important person—you.
