El Paso Senior AdvisorWhat respite options exist for El Paso caregivers?
Caregivers can use adult day centers on weekdays, hire a licensed personal assistance agency for in-home respite, arrange a short respite stay in an assisted living facility, or ask the Rio Grande Area Agency on Aging's caregiver support program for help.
HHSC licenses 24 adult day (DAHS) centers in El Paso County, from 80 to 380 licensed participants. Many have transportation and bilingual staff.
Does any program pay for respite in El Paso?
STAR+PLUS HCBS can include respite for members, the Area Agency on Aging's caregiver support program can fund limited respite, the VA offers respite for enrolled veterans, and Medicare's hospice benefit includes short inpatient respite for hospice patients.
Ask each program about waiting lists and limits.
How do we know a caregiver is burning out?
Signs include constant exhaustion, irritability, missed medical appointments of their own, withdrawal from friends, and feeling trapped or resentful.
Burnout is a health risk for the caregiver and a safety risk for the parent. Plan respite before a crisis.
Can a parent stay in assisted living for a short time?
Some El Paso assisted living facilities offer short respite stays when a room is available, at a daily rate; the facility still assesses the person and needs medical information.
A respite stay can also be a trial of assisted living.
Where can caregivers find support groups?
The Area Agency on Aging and the Alzheimer's Association can point to local caregiver support groups, many in Spanish, and online groups are available at any hour.
Hospitals and churches in El Paso also host groups.
How can working caregivers in El Paso arrange regular respite?
Most working caregivers build respite into the week: an adult day center on workdays, a few attendant hours on one evening, and a standing weekend afternoon covered by a sibling, friend or paid caregiver.
Many El Paso adult day centers open early enough for a morning shift and provide transportation. Ask your employer about family leave and flexible schedules, and ask the Rio Grande Area Agency on Aging whether its caregiver support program can fund a few hours while you wait for other services. Writing the weekly schedule down makes gaps visible before they become emergencies.
Side by side
| Respite is | Respite is not | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | A planned break for the caregiver | A failure to care |
| Forms | Adult day, in-home hours, short stays | Only nursing home admission |
| Payment | Private, STAR+PLUS, AAA, VA, hospice | Free everywhere |
| Timing | Best scheduled regularly | Only for emergencies |
Sources: Texas Health and Safety Code chapters 142, 242 and 247; 26 Texas Administrative Code chapters 553, 554, 558 and 559; HHSC program handbooks; CareScout, CMS and VA rate tables, as cited above. See our editorial standards.
