Respite care and Compeer programs provide temporary relief to caregivers by arranging care for their loved one on a regular or irregular basis. This allows caregivers to have time to themselves to visit with friends, go to a movie, run errands, or do whatever they need to care for themselves.

How Is Respite Care Provided?
The respite care program in my area is offered by a local community mental health agency. Volunteers recruited for the program are often students involved in a social work program at a local college or university. Other volunteers are family members or friends who have been touched by a loved one's mental illness or people who have successfully managed their own mental illness. They receive training using a series of video tapes under the supervision of one of the social workers.
When the volunteers complete their training, they are matched with a client based on their personalities and interests. The volunteers usually commit to serving for one year and meeting with the clients on a weekly basis, if possible. Volunteers keep the client's case manager informed of what happened during their visits and attend regular meetings with other respite care workers to discuss difficulties and successes. Sometimes, friendships develop between volunteers and clients and contact is continued after the need for respite care is over.
Visit the Compeer web site for a detailed description of the Compeer program.

How Do I Receive Respite Care Services?
If your partner is receiving counseling, their mental health professional may be able to refer them to organizations that offer respite care in your area. If you cannot get the information you need from your doctor or therapist, contact one of the local mental health agencies listed on the Support and Resources page of this site.