Take a Break: Caregiver support & respite services available in Rockwall County and surrounding areas

Rockwall County, TX (October 30, 2024) – If you take care of someone who is older or who has a disability, you are a caregiver. Respite care, where someone else looks after your loved one while you take a break, is a great way for you to take some time for yourself. Taking time for yourself is not selfish, it is necessary so you can keep being the best caregiver you can be. Respite can be something as simple as going to lunch with a friend or attending an exercise class.

Caregivers often need many kinds of help, including education, skill training, counseling, emotional, spiritual, social and financial support, legal and home maintenance and transportation services. Respite simply means “time away” from the responsibility of providing care. It is an opportunity for caregivers to do just a bit less, have others share the tasks and achieve some well-earned balance in their lives. Respite time can be obtained at home or through a variety of adult day centers. It can range from one or two hours at a time to several days each week. Resources can be found through the North Central Texas Council of Governments, ARCH and Take Time Texas.

Caregivers of family members with dementia including Alzheimer’s disease (D/AD) may face special challenges. Sometimes, individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease have unique physical, emotional and behavioral conditions that require specialized care. For example, memory, decision-making abilities, and behavior associated with D/AD change over time. This results in changing roles within the family and the need for more intensive levels of care. Providing care can be complicated and challenging and will require careful planning.

It is important for caregivers and their families to plan and incorporate respite into their lives long before exhaustion, isolation and feelings of being overwhelmed have set in. Advanced planning also allows for respite to be customized to meet the unique needs of the family members and provide enjoyable and meaningful experiences for everyone.

The caregiving journey is more manageable with the proper support. Meals on Wheels Senior Services of Rockwall County (MOWSS) is here to partner with you. We collaborate with the North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging to provide caregiver support, guide caregivers and seniors through all stages of life and preparation and offer a lifeline to relieve anxiety.

Check out our Resource Directory, FAQ, and Educational Events Calendar for more great information on the North Central Texas Agency on Aging website. Permission is granted to duplicate all parts of this page to use in education programs supporting family members caring for elders.

For additional information, call Meals on Wheels Senior Services of Rockwall County at 972-771-9514.

 Meals on Wheels Senior Services of Rockwall County and North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging provided information. The North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging serves adults aged 60 and older and their family caregivers who live in Collin, Denton, Ellis, Erath, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Navarro, Palo Pinto, Parker, Rockwall, Somervell, and Wise counties. Their mission is to create and maintain a coordinated health and social services network for older adults and family caregivers. They provide services and resources that help older adults maximize their quality of life and live independently. Information, education, and direct services help individuals meet basic needs and make informed decisions. Contact one of their staff members or call 800-272-3921.

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