The AARP Public Policy Institute and the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) “Caregiving in the U.S. 2020” report found more than a third of family caregivers rate caregiving as highly stressful emotionally, and nearly one in five report a high level of physical strain. That’s a lot of stress and strain!

Reports and survey responses like these are why N4 focuses on delivering Respite Care services for Care Partners and their loved ones. We designed our Respite Care services to give unpaid Care Partners a break and support their health and well-being, as well as that of the person receiving care. We offer five hours of free respite care services each week throughout Northern Nevada, and what makes our respite services a little different is that they can be provided in the home or by taking the person into the community.

“N4’s Respite Care services are really about finding out what a Care Partner needs,” explains Amy Dewitt-Smith, N4 Founder and Executive Director. “Maybe the person receiving care just needs a little assistance, or maybe someone to talk to or do something with. Our trained staff members provide supplemental care services that make the most sense for the person and their Care Partners.”

Respite Care offers many benefits to Care Partners and their loved ones, including helping to reduce stress and anxiety while improving physical health. These breaks allow Care Partners to recharge and provide better care for the person they are caring for in the long run.

Let’s go Fishing!

“Our Community Care Partners think outside the box, so our care support plans are very individualized — for example, we’ve had a staff member get a fishing license so they could take someone fishing,” Amy adds. “We really want to make sure the time we spend with a loved one is meaningful and engaging. It helps their primary Care Partner feel better about taking a break when they know that they’re loved one is having fun. Then they can enjoy their respite time, too!”

In addition to these benefits, respite care can also give Care Partners a break from the daily routine and a chance to do something different and have some fun while allowing them to spend time with other people. Let’s face it, caregiving can be isolating and lonely, and respite care breaks can give Care Partners a chance to reconnect with friends and family.

If you’re a caregiver, here are a few things you can do to make the most of respite care:

• We can provide five hours of respite care each week — use all five of these hours every week to get the most benefit for both of you!
• Plan ahead and schedule respite care when you or your Care Partner need it most
• Be clear about your needs. Let our Community Care Partners know what your needs are so we can tailor a respite care break that works for you
• Take advantage of the time! Use the time during respite care to do something for yourself, such as getting some rest, going out with friends, or pursuing a hobby

Reach out! We can walk you through the process and answer any questions you might have. Start by filling out our simple Interest Form or giving our office a call 775-453-4774.