Respite Care Duty Checklist

Respite care offers an opportunity for primary caregivers to rest and take care of other responsibilities. Family members, home attendants, nurses and skilled professionals may provide in-home respite care. However, there are numerous facilities that provide off-site respite care for children and adults who require special medical, physical and emotional attention. A respite care duty checklist is a form that may be left with a temporary care provider to provide detailed information concerning the patient.

Emergency Contacts

• Emergency contact information should always be found in a prominent location on your checklist. At minimum, this should include the name, phone number and address of primary caregiver, the nearest medical facility and physician contact information. Name of parents or guardians and a psychiatrist or physical therapist might also be included depending on the nature of the patient's condition. While local poison control and emergency services numbers may be found in a telephone directory, repeating them on the checklist can save time during an emergency.

Condition

• For caregivers knowledgeable in medical care, a detailed explanation of the patient's condition can provide insight into duties required and the precautions that should be taken. Include the name of the condition, symptoms, limitations, allergies and expected behavior.

Monitoring

• Many conditions require frequent monitoring of vital signs and symptoms. Provide the respite caregiver with a schedule for checking these items, as well as a standardized method of recording this information. One solution is to keep a bedside log. This is a chart attached to the patient's bed which provides space for marking times and results.

Medications/Exercises

• Leave adequate instructions for exercising, stretching and outings.

  List any medications, the dosage and schedule on the checklist if the caregiver is expected to give medication. Some states have laws in place to prevent unlicensed and untrained workers from giving medication, even if prior consent has been received from the primary caregiver. Review these restrictions with your respite provider or care agency.

Bed Rest/Sleep Schedule

• Sticking to a sleep regimen is essential for individuals whose treatment plan includes bed rest. Also write down provisions for extending time spent sleeping.

Appointments

• While it is best for the primary caregiver to accompany the patient to doctor's appointments, respite caregivers may serve as an alternate escort. Transportation, directions and instructions should be provided for each occurrence. For example, a respite caregiver may be expected to debrief the caregiver after a physical therapy session. It is the primary caregiver's responsibility to inform and prepare the respite worker for this task.

Hygiene

• While respite care may only last a few hours, overnight stays necessitate bathing and other hygienic tasks. List duties such as cool sponging, wrapping joints, showering and shaving. An inventory of washing tools may also be helpful if it provides the location of hard-to-find supplies.

General Care

• It is helpful to list expectations regarding food, entertainment and housekeeping. For example, list the television programs that your child likes and dislikes to prevent conflict during respite care. If general housekeeping is expected as part of the care agreement,include information regarding tasks such as laundry and dish-washing.