The disadvantages of respite care

Respite care programs provide temporary help for families who are caring for an individual whose health would otherwise require them to live in a special facility outside the home. Respite care has many advantages, as it helps relieve hardworking family members from what is often an exhausting care experience. However, it also has its disadvantages that should be considered prior to joining a respite care program.

The cost of respite care can be very high. Both in-home care and outside facilities charge for their services. For example, respite care centres require transportation in getting there and the costs are usually higher than in-home care. These expenses can cause a strain on family members who wish to have a life beyond their health-afflicted loved one.

In-home respite care can cause scheduling conflicts between the respite care worker and the family members that live in the house. Family members may use the respite care worker's time as their own break time. Since the respite care worker is in the home with the health-afflicted family member, other family members may feel forced out during the one time that they would like to be relaxing at home.

Some people may be uncomfortable with leaving an in-home respite care worker in their home. It can be difficult to find a program and a care worker that are a good fit for your family. For example, you might disagree with the respite care worker in how to care for your loved one. This can cause added stress to you and your family when the purpose of hiring a respite care worker is to decrease stress levels.