The Differences Between Respite Care & PCA

Respite care and personal care assistants (PCAs) are forms of care provided for a person with a disability or illness that does not allow him to care for himself or complete daily activities. PCAs are commonly employed by the individual receiving care or through an agency, while respite care can be provided through family members, agencies or volunteer organizations.

Activities

• Respite care is provided by different individuals or groups to provide a caregiver with an opportunity to complete daily chores or to find time to relax away from the person they care for. The services offered in respite care can be for a varying amount of time, from a few hours per day or for several weeks at a time. A personal care assistant provides assistance to an elderly or disabled person on a paid basis to assist an individual with a specified set of activities or in specific needs. The activities provided by respite care givers range from assistance with daily living activities to providing companionship and entertainment. Personal care assistants provide assistance with medical and daily living activities, such as bathing, dressing and using the toilet.

Training

• The services provided by PCAs are usually preceded by an element of training in the general issues surrounding the care needed by persons with disabilities and the elderly and is usually followed by training in the specific needs of an individual with an illness or disability. PCAs are usually directed in the care of an individual by the disabled or elderly individual. Respite caregivers can come from a diverse set of groups, including voluntary church and faith groups and personal care services. Respite caregivers can also take the form of agency workers who have a level of training in personal care services and in skilled care services that assist an individual in completing required medical tasks when a caregiver is not available.

Volunteers

• Respite care can be provided by informal sources, according to the Eldercare Locator. These informal sources can be family members, friends and neighbors who offer to assist the caregiver and provide a period of time for relaxation or completing daily tasks. PCA's are paid professionals who are provided through agencies, who oversee and manage the career and daily activities of the PCA. An individual or caregiver can also source, hire and manage the activities of the PCA.

Partnership

• The activities of respite care providers and PCAs is a partnership between the care provider and the disabled or elderly person, according to the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Any care provider is required to discuss, where appropriate, the type of care needed by the individual and complete these tasks in an appropriate way.