The Short Term Respite Care Program serves residents of Hillsborough County.  Our  Short Term Respite Care Coordinator will come to your home to assess your needs and help you select the best short term respite care option to meet these needs. 

In addition, we provide enrolled caregivers an assessment and referrals to personally guide you and your family through a wide range of available resources and services.  These resources assist caregivers to further develop their caregiving skills as well as reduce their stress levels.  These resources can include health and wellness programs, caregiver support groups, nutrition services, elder law attorneys, adaptive home devices and more.

Anna Spinella served on the Advisory Council for West Central Florida Area Agency on Aging for many years.   Anna understood the importance of caregivers taking care of themselves, yet she admittedly did not apply her knowledge and understanding to her own situation when she became a full time caregiver for her husband, Joe.

The following is a brief summary of the situation that led to Anna’s asking for help.

…There came a time when I thought I was having a heart attack. One night I was sitting in the chair next to Joe’s bed, several feet from the telephone, when suddenly I was just paralyzed. It felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest.  I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t move and all I could think of was, How could I let this happen? What will happen to Joe if I have a heart attack right here in the chair? Who will know? It might be days before anyone realizes something is wrong and comes to the house!

The pain eventually stopped, and I was going to call 911, but I hesitated because I thought, If they take me to the hospital, what will they do with Joe?  I was afraid they would put him in a nursing home, and I didn’t want that to happen.  So I waited until the next day, and I went to my doctor to get myself taken care of. It was then that I came to the realization – I need to get some more help. I can’t go on doing all this alone. If I don’t take care of myself, I won’t be here to take care of Joe.

You can hear more of Anna’s story and learn more about respite for caregivers by watching the video posted at http://www.wedu.org/respitecare/.

The video as posted on WEDU’s web site:

 http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid27343168001

This is time for you to take care of yourself.  No more turning down invitations because there's no one to stay with your loved one.  Care Connections will provide skilled, reliable care during your respite, whether it’s for a few hours each week, a weekend, a few days, or even longer.   Respite services can be arranged to allow your loved one to either stay in your home or at a facility that is equipped to provide the right amount of care.

Think about using Care Connections' Respite Services for…

Taking a break to get out of the house…Whether you run errands, have lunch with friends, get a massage or go to a movie, taking a break allow you to return to your caregiving feeling refreshed.

Tending to your own personal health needs… If you need to go to the doctor, the dentist, or schedule surgery, respite services can give you the time you need to take care of yourself and recuperate, so you can resume your caregiving duties in good health.

Attending a special event or taking a vacation…The responsibility for taking care of your loved one can prevent you from participating in life’s special moments. Now you can relax have peace of mind while you share these special times with friends and family.

Effective caregiving depends on the wellness of the caregiver.  It is easy to forget or neglect our own care needs when caring for another.  Taking care of your needs will benefit both you and the person you care for.

To learn more about the importance of caregivers taking care of themselves see our Caregiver Information page.