Respite Care for Dementia & Alzheimer’s | Expert Webinar
In our recent webinar, we sat down with Sara Perry, Executive Director of Respite Care Charleston, to talk about what respite care actually looks like, how it supports both caregivers and the people they care for, and why so many families wait too long to ask for help.
Below are some of the key takeaways from our conversation. You can also watch the full webinar for Sara’s complete insights.
What is respite care?
At its core, respite care is a short break from caregiving duties. It’s time that allows a family caregiver to rest, run errands, attend appointments, or just recharge. Respite can take several forms, from a few hours of in-home support to a half-day memory care program to a longer residential stay when a caregiver needs a week or two away.
For families caring for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s, this break is a necessary part of sustainable, high-quality caregiving.
How respite care supports people living with Dementia
One theme Sara returned to throughout the conversation: respite care directly benefits the person living with dementia, too. Structured respite programs often include art activities, adapted physical activity, and social engagement designed around each person’s abilities and interests, treating them with the same dignity and independence as any other adult.
Music, in particular, plays a powerful role. Because it engages so many different areas of the brain, music can reach people in the later stages of dementia even after verbal communication has become difficult.
Understanding difficult behaviors
Behaviors like wandering, agitation, or sundowning can be some of the most stressful parts of dementia caregiving. Sara explained that these behaviors are usually rooted in one of two things: an unmet physical need the person can’t verbalize, or an underlying feeling of fear and disorientation.
Rather than correcting or arguing with someone who’s confused about their surroundings, effective dementia care focuses on empathy and reassurance. It’s about helping the person feel safe rather than trying to convince them of a reality they can’t access. This kind of person-centered approach, paired with getting to know someone’s history and preferences in advance, allows caregivers to prevent and de-escalate difficult moments more effectively.
Recognizing caregiver burnout
Caregiver burnout often builds quietly, and Sara noted that support organizations like Respite Care Charleston can frequently spot the warning signs before caregivers recognize them in themselves. Common indicators include poor sleep, skipped medical or dental checkups, withdrawal from friends and social activities, increased irritability, and a general sense of being overwhelmed.
Left unaddressed, this stress affects the caregiver and it impacts the person receiving care, too. Research shows that unmanaged caregiver stress is linked to serious health risks, including elevated blood pressure and increased dementia risk for the caregiver themselves.
Letting go of caregiver guilt
Perhaps the most resonant part of the conversation centered on guilt. Many caregivers hesitate to ask for help because they interpret it as a personal failure. Sara pushed back firmly on that idea: seeking respite care isn’t a sign of inadequacy because it’s what allows caregivers to keep showing up as the best version of themselves for the people they love.
As Sara put it, taking care of yourself first is what enables you to give better care to someone else — whether you’re a spouse, an adult child, or a professional caregiver.
Watch the full webinar
This recap only scratches the surface of Sara’s insights. Watch the full webinar to hear her complete conversation on respite care, dementia support strategies, and practical guidance for families navigating caregiving for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
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