Every caregiver needs a break to prevent burnout and reduce stress.
It's called respite, and can be anything from a hour's walk to a week-long cruise. Occasional breaks from the responsibility not only provide welcome and necessary relief from the stresses of constant caregiving, but also can help your loved one enjoy other people and activities. The trick is finding reliable, affordable people to temporarily take your place. Respite care involves having a trained individual take over the caregiver role for short periods, in or out of the home. But temporary substitutes give caregivers the freedom to go out of town, take vacations, get haircuts or go to doctor's appointments.