Overview
A respite provider is an individual that provides temporary relief to family caregivers by offering in-home or out-of-home care to the individual with special health care needs. This direct service gives family caregivers a break to rejuvenate and refresh. Respite providers work as full-time professionals, part-time employees, and volunteers.
Being a respite provider has many benefits:
- Working with people
- Helping others and the community
- Flexible schedules
- Meaningful employment
- Extra income
- Work independently or with a team
Respite providers can serve any age and any special health care need. This can be through companionship and personal care, or medical and skilled care. Just as there are many types of respite care available, the role of a respite provider can also vary greatly to align with the skills and abilities of that individual.
A respite provider can work independently or with an agency. There are varieties of levels of care that can be provided, and in many different settings. Respite providers enjoy options of work settings and ages of those they care for.
Respite providers are an important part of the healthcare workforce. The demand for respite care workers is anticipated to increase in the coming years. Now is a great time to become a respite provider to have the necessary skills to serve family caregivers and care recipients as this need continues to grow.
