Respite care for family caregivers

Most family caregivers I meet have not had a genuinely free afternoon in months. Respite is not a luxury and it is not a failure. It is the maintenance that lets you keep doing this.

The people who call me about respite are usually apologising. They shouldn't be. Caring for a parent or a spouse around the clock is a job that would be staffed in shifts anywhere else, and doing it alone is how people end up ill themselves — which helps nobody, least of all the person being cared for.

Respite can be a standing weekly slot so you can work, shop, see a doctor of your own, or simply sit somewhere nobody needs anything from you. It can be a full day, or a run of nights so you can sleep properly for the first time in weeks. It can be a week so you can go to a wedding without spending the whole thing on your phone.

A standing arrangement works better than emergency cover. If I already know the routine, the medications and where things live, you can hand over and actually leave rather than spending the first hour briefing me.

What this looks like

Regular scheduled relief

A standing weekly or twice-weekly slot you can build a life around, rather than something arranged in a crisis.

Full days and overnights

Long enough to travel, attend to your own health, or sleep an uninterrupted night.

Continuity of routine

Keeping the day as it normally runs, so your return is not spent undoing disruption.

Planned time away

Cover for a holiday, a family event, or your own surgery and recovery.

A real handover

What happened while you were out, said plainly — including anything I think you should keep an eye on.

This is probably for you if…

  • You are the only one doing this and have been for a long time
  • You have your own appointments you keep postponing
  • You need to work and cannot leave the house unattended
  • You are close to burning out and know it

Where I provide this care

In-home care across the Sierra foothills. Choose your county for what care looks like locally:

Tuolumne County

Being based in the county means same-week consultations are usually possible, and short visits are practical in a way they are not an hour away.

Calaveras County

Ongoing scheduled care works better than ad-hoc visits across a county this spread out — it is worth planning the week rather than the day.

Amador County

Best suited to longer bookings — full days, overnights and vigil care — rather than short daily visits.

Related care

Dementia & Alzheimer's Care

In-home dementia and Alzheimer's care from a CNA with 11 years' experience. Familiar surroundings, steady routine, and a caregiver who knows how to meet confusion with calm. Serving Tuolumne, Calaveras and Amador counties.

Overnight & Vigil Care

Overnight in-home care across Tuolumne, Calaveras and Amador counties — night-time supervision, vigil sitting at the end of life, and full nights of sleep for the family. CNA, 11 years of experience.

Long-Term Care

Ongoing in-home care that lets someone stay in their own house as needs change — personal care, meals, housekeeping and companionship, from a CNA with 11 years of experience in the Mother Lode.

Let's talk it through

The first conversation is free and there's nothing owed for it. Call or text (619) 407-0301 — or ask whatever you're unsure about first.

Call (619) 407-0301