Adult Day Services and Respite Care in Houston: Where to Start
AARP reports that over 20% of people become caregivers for a family member or loved one. Caregiving, while rewarding, also presents challenges. Family caregivers often juggle loved ones’ needs with their own lives, creating a delicate balance. Adult day services and respite care provide support for caregivers. These services offer a break, allowing caregivers to recharge and prevent burnout. For those living in Houston, understanding how to access these services is essential for creating a sustainable caregiving environment that benefits both the caregiver and the care recipient. Here’s what to know!
What is Respite Care?
Respite care provides caregivers with a welcome break from their caregiving duties. It’s a temporary pause, allowing them to recharge and return to their responsibilities feeling refreshed. This essential service can be delivered in various settings, including a caregiver’s home, adult day care centers, or even residential care facilities.
Respite care offers a variety of services to meet the specific needs of both caregivers and the people they care for. Key services include:
- Companionship: Providing social interaction and emotional support to alleviate loneliness and enhance well-being.
- Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADL): Offering help with personal care tasks such as bathing, dressing, and eating.
- Supervision: Ensuring the safety and security of individuals who may not be able to be left alone due to health or mobility issues.
- Medical Care: Delivering professional health services including medication management, wound care, and other medical needs.
- Help Around the House: Aiding with household chores like cleaning, laundry, and general housekeeping to maintain a healthy living environment.
- Transportation: Facilitating access to medical appointments, social outings, or errands, supporting independence and mobility.
- Meal Preparation: Assisting with cooking and meal planning to ensure nutritional needs are met.
Where to Find Respite Care in Houston
As the general population ages, respite care is becoming more essential. Family caregiving, while an important job, can be very demanding and both mentally and physically exhausting. A study conducted by the CDC found that over 50% of caregivers experience stress-related declines in their health. So, where can you find respite care in Houston to counter this burnout?
At Home
Depending on needs, a home care agency can provide companionship, ADL assistance, and home health aides. To find home care near Houston, start with these resources:
Senior Resource Home Care Directory – Houston, TX
Top 10 Home Health Care Companies in Houston
Or, click here to search for home care in the state of Texas!
Adult Day Services
Adult day services can offer professional care, socialization, and enrichment opportunities in a community-based group setting. These types of centers can help reduce the stress of caregiving or simply provide a safe place for your loved one during the day. Adult day cares and other adult day health services usually feature ADL assistance, social activities, exercise, door-to-do transportation, and health monitoring. If you’re looking for adult day services near Houston, then start with these resources:
Senior Resource Adult Day Care Directory – Houston, TX
Top 8 Highest-Rated Adult Day Care Services Near Houston
Or, click here to search for adult day cares in the state of Texas!
Residential Facilities
Assisted living facilities or nursing homes may offer care to non-residents on an as-needed basis. Respite in a residential facility can include overnight stays, health monitoring, skilled nursing, and more. To find residential facilities near Houston, start here:
Senior Resource Assisted Living Directory – Houston, TX
Senior Resource Nursing Care Directory – Houston, TX
Top 9 Assisted Living Facilities Near Houston
7 Best Nursing Homes Near Houston
How Much Does Respite Care in Houston Cost?
Though actual costs will vary by agency or facility and depend on the number of services needed, here are the average daily costs of respite:
| Type of Care | National Average Daily Cost | Texas Average Daily Cost | Houston Average Daily Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health Aide | $169 | $176 | $170 |
| Adult Day Care | $78 | $50 | $65 |
| Residential Care | $235 | $185 | $203 |
How To Pay for Respite Care in Houston
Besides personal savings, seniors and families have several possibilities that can help pay for respite!
Long-Term Care Insurance
Traditional health insurance rarely pays for costs associated with long-term care. But, with long-term care insurance, policyholders can receive help paying for medical or personal care that is needed for extended periods of time, including respite. For more info, check out the City of Houston Finance Department.
Veteran Benefits
The VA will cover the costs of many different services under standard health benefits.
To see a full list of services or to apply for assistance, visit these resources:
VA Nursing Homes, Assisted Living, and Home HealthCare
Veterans Service Organizations – Houston Regional Office
Medicaid
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps low-income individuals pay for care. It can help with the cost of custodial care, medical care, and yes, respite care! Every state has different qualification requirements. So, for eligibility and enrollment info in Texas, visit these resources:
Medicaid and CHIP – Texas Health and Human Services
Harris County Area Agency on Aging
More Help Finding Respite Care
Caring for yourself is just as important as caring for a loved one. And, respite can help you do that! If you need more assistance finding respite care in Houston or other areas, then try these resources:
Popular Articles About Houston and Texas
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Originally published March 26, 2024
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