Respite Care Services for Families With Special Needs

As a caregiver, it’s natural to want to give your all to your loved one with special medical or educational needs. However, everyone needs a break, whether that’s to go to an appointment, run errands or just have time for yourself.

Respite care provides that temporary break by putting your family member in someone else’s care. It can be hard to leave your child, teen or other family member with special needs, but taking time away from caregiving duties is essential to your well-being and benefits your loved one as well.

Why it’s important to take care of yourself

Taking care of another person without taking time for yourself can lead to caregiver stress. Caregiver stress is the emotional and physical strain of providing care. It can take many forms:

• Fatigue
• Depression or anxiety
• Frustration and anger
• Guilt based on unrealistic expectations

Practicing self-care reduces stress and can help you maintain a positive attitude. Caring for yourself is also an effective strategy to actively manage stress and effectively care for someone.

Self-care strategies

There are a variety of strategies for practicing self-care. Listed below are a few ideas.

• Plan fun activities: Schedule time for enjoyable activities unrelated to caretaking. Participate in hobbies, stay active and remember exercise is good for the body and mind.
• Practice stress management on the go: Deep breathing is a simple way to reduce stress during difficult moments throughout the day. When feeling stressed, take three slow, deep breaths, inhaling through the nose and exhaling forcefully through the mouth.
• Reach out to your social networks: Communicating thoughts, feelings and expectations to family members, friends or members of support groups can reduce feelings of depression, anxiety and isolation.

Where can I find respite care?

Families enrolled in EFMP may receive respite care through their service branch’s EFMP respite care program if they meet the eligibility requirements. Respite care is a program benefit, not an entitlement.

Families can request additional respite care support if they experience exceptional circumstances that require additional support or significantly impact the well-being of a caregiver. Contact your EFMP Family Support provider for more information or assistance in locating military and community respite care resources.

Other places to look for information and respite care options for children and adults include:

• Your state’s Lifespan Respite Program and State Respite Coalitions, if available. Lifespan Respite Programs are run by state agencies to provide community-based respite for family caregivers. State Respite Coalitions are membership organizations that represent people with disabilities. Some of these organizations provide training and respite vouchers.
• The National Respite Locator. This online tool can link you to information on respite funding and caregiver support in your state.
• No Wrong Door expands access to services and supports through a network of agencies.
• Nonprofit organizations related to your family member’s condition may be able to refer you to respite services in your community.
• A “co-op” in which you and other families take turns watching each other’s loved ones. Family support groups are a good place to meet others interested in forming a respite care co-op.

What are other ways to access respite care?

There are several options where you may find help accessing respite care.

• TRICARE Extended Care Health Option offers up to 16 hours of in-home respite care to eligible military families.
• ECHO Home Health Care offers up to eight hours per day, five days a week of temporary relief for eligible military families with a family member who is homebound and requires frequent care.
• Medicaid waivers cover the cost of respite care if your family member qualifies. Check with your state’s Medicaid office to learn more.

Other support services

Your installation’s Exceptional Family Member Program Family Support staff can point you toward local services you may require as well as walk you through the resources available to you at your installation.

Military OneSource can assist you in connecting with EFMP Family Support staff and offers many caregiver support resources tailored to your specific needs. You can find support services, consultations, confidential counseling and access to a variety of helpful products.