{"id":8196,"date":"2024-06-28T18:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-28T18:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=8196"},"modified":"2024-06-28T18:30:00","modified_gmt":"2024-06-28T18:30:00","slug":"take-time-for-yourself-find-help-with-respite-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=8196","title":{"rendered":"Take time for yourself: Find help with respite care"},"content":{"rendered":"

Originally published:<\/strong> 2024-06-28T18:30:00+00:00. Historical source article: benefits, rules, amounts and deadlines may have changed. Check the official source for current information.<\/p>\n

Cindy and Lee Stover have been caring for their son, Joe, a Navy Veteran since he was injured in 2009. Joe has a traumatic brain injury and partial paralysis due to a closed fracture of the spine. Cindy and Lee are his legal guardians and are both his full-time caregivers\u2026 in need of some respite.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s our baby boy,\u201d Cindy said, \u201cAnd we just needed to bring him home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cindy and Lee learned about the Caregiver Support Program (CSP) in 2011. They worked with the Caregiver Support team from their local VA facility to see what support the program could offer and find out which of the many available resources would help with their caregiving needs. One of the programs they learned about was respite care.<\/p>\n

Make time for yourself<\/h2>\n

Respite is a period of rest or a break from caregiving. Whether it\u2019s for a few hours or a few days, respite can help caregivers take time for themselves. CSP encourages every caregiver to incorporate respite into their lives. Cindy credits the transformative impact of respite care and VA services with helping her alleviate some of the challenges that come with caregiving.<\/p>\n

\u201cI get to go out and mow my lawn. I have lots of flower beds that I play in all the time and do craft shows. Lee and I also go to nursing homes and play music for the older folks,\u201d she shared.<\/p>\n

There are three types of respite: Self-guided, informal and formal.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Self-guided respite is the practice of building a self-focused activity into your normal day. An example of this could be waking up early or staying up later to engage in an activity that nurtures your spiritual, emotional or physical health. It could be as simple as taking a few moments to meditate or pray, take a walk, journal or read a book.<\/li>\n
  2. Informal respite is help from friends or loved ones. It can include direct assistance with caring for your Veteran or it could be assistance with other daily tasks. For example: Your Veteran\u2019s longtime friend might visit once or twice a week to talk or play games with them.<\/li>\n
  3. Formal respite care is short-term, paid assistance from a professional. Formal respite care can be used to take a break, run errands or take a vacation.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    How to make respite care work for you<\/h2>\n

    Some caregivers like Cindy and Lee use respite care to help with carving out a piece of the day for self-care. \u201cWe all need a little bit of time just to look back and sit out on the porch and drink a cup of coffee\u2026 and relax for a little bit,\u201d Lee said.<\/p>\n

    Cindy advises other caregivers to use respite care, \u201cBecause it\u2019s important that they take care of themselves so they can take care of their loved one.\u201d She also acknowledged that it can be hard to find the right fit, but encouraged other caregivers to keep trying. \u201cOur caregiver support team has gone far and beyond what we have ever expected from this journey. If I need something, they\u2019re always there.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Cindy gardens and participates in crafts to support her mental health. Lee plays music and tinkers with old trucks. Find what works for you and your caregiving journey. See Cindy\u2019s interview.<\/a> <\/p>\n

    About respite care<\/h2>\n

    CSP encourages caregivers to take some time away and recharge. Explore your respite goals and establish a personalized respite plan using the Caregiver Respite Tool<\/a>. If you are interested in participating in formal respite care options, learn more at the Geriatrics and Extended Care\u2019s website<\/a>. Additionally, VA\u2019s comprehensive self-care tools<\/a> and\u00a0Whole Health Library<\/a> offer tips and support for coping with burnout and how to recharge.<\/p>\n

    About the Caregiver Support Program (CSP)<\/h2>\n

    CSP promotes the health and well-being of Veterans\u2019 caregivers through education, resources, support and services. Every VA medical center has a CSP team that provides valuable information about resources to help caregivers stay informed and supported as they support Veterans. More information can be found on CSP\u2019s website<\/a> and by contacting local CSP teams<\/a>. To learn more, watch CSP\u2019s SITREP podcast<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs<\/a>. Its Veterans is an independent publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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