JULIE CARTER: PEOPLE WHO FEEL
LIKE THEY WANT TO BE HEROES OR THAT IT'S THEIR DUTY TO BE
24/7 TYPICALLY BURN OUT BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE A
MECHANISM FOR REJUVENATING AND TAKING A BREAK. ANTOINETTE McGEORGE: RESPITE
CARE IS A TEMPORARY PERIOD OF CARE WHEREBY THE CAREGIVER
CAN RECEIVE RELIEF FROM THE DAY-TO-DAY STRESS AND STRAIN
OF CARING FOR A LOVED ONE. IT COULD INCLUDE
24-HOUR-A-DAY CARE WITHIN A APPROVED CONTRACT NURSING
HOME, OR IT COULD BE TIME-LIMITED CARE THROUGH
HOMEMAKER/HOME HEALTH AIDE SERVICES. THE CAREGIVER IS VERY
IMPORTANT IN HELPING TO MAINTAIN A VETERAN IN THEIR
HOME COMMUNITY, SO WE ARE ALWAYS CONCERNED WITH THE
CAREGIVER, BUT THAT VETERAN IS WHY WE FUNCTION AT
THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. SO WE HAVE TO ASSURE THAT THAT
VETERAN'S NEEDS WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF WHEN THAT PRIMARY
CAREGIVER IS OUT OF THE HOME. EVERY ENROLLED VETERAN IS
ELIGIBLE FOR RESPITE SERVICES. IF A CAREGIVER HEARS ABOUT THE
RESPITE PROGRAM AND THEY WANT TO RECEIVE SERVICES, THEY
WOULD CALL THEIR PRIMARY CARE TEAM.
SERVICES IN THE HOME BUT
THAT VETERAN MAY BENEFIT FROM AN IN-PATIENT 24-HOUR
SITUATION IN A NURSING HOME, WE TALK TO THE CAREGIVER SO
THAT THE CAREGIVER CAN HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION THAT
THEY NEED TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS REGARDING
TEMPORARY PERIODS OF CARE. CAREGIVERS WHO ARE 24/7
TRULY NEED TIME AWAY, AND I THINK OF IT AS A TIME SORT OF
TO FILL UP YOUR TANK SO YOU CAN COME BACK AND BE
REENERGIZED TO DO THE JOB AT HAND..