In-Home Respite Care in White Bear Lake and Chisago, MN

Comfort Keepers provides in-home respite care for families caring for seniors, veterans and adults with disabilities in White Bear Lake, Shoreview, Vadnais Heights, Chisago City and surrounding Minnesota communities. Our caregivers temporarily take over approved caregiving responsibilities so family caregivers can rest, work, attend appointments or take care of other important needs.

What Is Respite Care?

Respite care is temporary, short-term assistance that gives a family caregiver a planned break from caregiving responsibilities. Care can be provided occasionally, on a recurring schedule, overnight or for an extended period, depending on the client’s needs and caregiver availability.

While the family caregiver is away, a Comfort Keepers caregiver can provide companionship, personal care, meal preparation, mobility assistance, supervision and household support according to an individualized care plan.

The National Institute on Aging recognizes respite care as an option that allows family caregivers time to rest, travel or spend time with other family members. Learn more in the National Institute on Aging’s guide to respite care.

Who Can Benefit From In-Home Respite Care?

Respite care may help a spouse, adult child, relative or friend who regularly cares for someone living with:

• Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia
• Parkinson’s disease
• Limited mobility or fall concerns
• A chronic illness
• A physical or developmental disability
• Changes following surgery or hospitalization
• Personal care needs
• Increasing difficulty completing everyday activities
• A need for supervision or companionship

You do not have to be a full-time caregiver to benefit. Respite care may be helpful whether you provide daily assistance, weekend support or periodic care from a distance.

When Should a Family Caregiver Consider Respite Care?

Caregiving can be deeply meaningful, but it can also be physically and emotionally demanding. It may be time to ask for additional help if you:

• Rarely have time for yourself
• Frequently miss your own appointments
• Feel physically or emotionally exhausted
• Have difficulty balancing caregiving with work or parenting
• Are losing sleep because of caregiving responsibilities
• Feel anxious about leaving your loved one alone
• Need help during a family event, business trip or vacation
• Have become the only person available to provide care
• Want to create a backup plan before an emergency occurs

Families do not have to wait until the primary caregiver is completely overwhelmed. Introducing professional help gradually can give both the caregiver and care recipient time to become comfortable with the arrangement.

What Does a Respite Caregiver Do?

Every client receives a personalized care plan based on assessed needs, established routines and family priorities. Respite care services may include the following.

Companion Care

• Conversation and social engagement
• Games, hobbies and meaningful activities
• Reading or listening to music
• Accompaniment on walks or outings
• Support maintaining familiar routines
• Supervision and safety awareness

Personal Care

• Bathing and showering assistance
• Grooming and dressing
• Toileting and incontinence care
• Mobility and transfer assistance
• Positioning and supervised walking
• Assistance with eating

Household Assistance

• Meal planning and preparation
• Grocery shopping and errands
• Light housekeeping
• Laundry and linen changes
• Organization of commonly used items
• Medication reminders

Transportation

• Medical and dental appointments
• Grocery shopping
• Senior or community centers
• Faith-based activities
• Family gatherings
• Other approved local errands

Services are provided according to the client’s authorized care plan. Most Comfort Keepers respite services are non-medical. Private duty nursing may be assessed and arranged separately when appropriate.

What Can a Family Caregiver Do During Respite Care?

There is no “wrong” reason to schedule a break. While a Comfort Keepers caregiver supports your loved one, you might:

• Attend your own medical or dental appointment
• Go to work or complete an important project
• Shop or run errands
• Exercise or take a walk
• Meet a friend for lunch
• Attend a caregiver support group
• Spend time with your spouse or children
• Go to a wedding or family event
• Help a child move or leave for college
• Take a weekend trip or vacation
• Rest without worrying that your loved one is alone

Taking a break is not abandoning your caregiving responsibilities. It is one way to build a more sustainable care plan.

Respite Care With Interactive Caregiving®

Comfort Keepers’ Interactive Caregiving® approach means doing things with clients instead of simply completing tasks around them.

Depending on the person’s interests and abilities, a respite caregiver may:

• Prepare a favorite meal with the client
• Look through family photographs
• Work on a puzzle, craft or hobby
• Listen or move to favorite music
• Fold towels or complete a familiar household task
• Take a supervised walk
• Discuss current events or personal interests
• Call or visit family members
• Attend a community activity

Activities are adapted to the client’s abilities, preferences, energy and comfort level. Participation should feel natural and enjoyable—not like a test.

Respite Care for Someone Living With Dementia

Family caregivers supporting someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia may find it especially difficult to leave the person with someone new. We take time to learn about the client’s routines, communication style, interests and common sources of confusion or anxiety.

Depending on the care plan, dementia respite care may include:

• Maintaining a familiar daily routine
• Calm reassurance and redirection
• Personal care and toileting assistance
• Meal preparation and hydration reminders
• Supervision and safety awareness
• Familiar music, photographs and activities
• Support during periods of late-day confusion
• Companionship while the family caregiver rests or leaves home

Caregiver consistency is prioritized whenever scheduling permits. Learn more about our in-home Alzheimer’s and dementia care.

How Long Can Respite Care Last?

Respite care may be scheduled for:

• Occasional short-term assistance
• Recurring weekly visits
• Coverage while a family caregiver works
• Evening or overnight assistance
• Help during a family event
• Extended coverage during travel
• Continuous 24-hour shift care

The available schedule depends on the client’s assessment, required services, location and caregiver availability. Twenty-four-hour home care generally involves multiple caregivers working scheduled shifts rather than one caregiver remaining in the home continuously.

Planning ahead gives the care team more time to understand the client’s needs and arrange appropriate coverage, particularly for overnight care, travel or special events.

Respite Care for Veterans and Their Families

Comfort Keepers provides home care services for veterans who need assistance with daily activities. Eligible veterans may receive authorized homemaker, home health aide or respite services through Department of Veterans Affairs programs.

The VA determines:

• Whether a veteran is eligible
• Which services are authorized
• The number of approved care hours
• Whether services are available locally
• Whether a copayment applies

Qualifying veterans or surviving spouses may also be eligible for pension-related Aid and Attendance benefits that can help offset eligible care expenses. This is different from VA-authorized Community Care and does not necessarily cover the full cost of home care.

Comfort Keepers can explain the services we provide, but only the VA can determine benefits or authorize VA-funded care. Learn more about home care services for veterans.

Does Insurance Pay for Respite Care?

Coverage depends on the person’s benefits and the type of respite care provided.

In-home respite care is often privately paid. Some long-term care insurance policies, Medicaid programs or VA programs may help eligible individuals pay for certain services.

Medicare generally does not pay for ongoing non-medical respite care in a person’s home. Under the Medicare hospice benefit, limited inpatient respite care may be covered when specific eligibility requirements are met. Families should confirm coverage directly with their insurance plan, benefits administrator, the VA or another applicable program.

Comfort Keepers can explain service rates and payment options but cannot determine whether a person qualifies for outside benefits.

Local Respite Care in White Bear Lake and Chisago County

Comfort Keepers provides in-home respite care throughout the northeast Twin Cities and Chisago County regions.

White Bear Lake Area

The White Bear Lake office serves:

• White Bear Lake
• Shoreview
• Vadnais Heights
• North Oaks
• Hugo
• Forest Lake
• Surrounding communities

White Bear Lake office
1310 Highway 96 E
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
651-789-0317

Chisago County Area

The Chisago City office serves:

• Chisago City
• Lindstrom
• Wyoming
• Stacy
• Forest Lake
• Surrounding Chisago County communities

Chisago City office
11185 Lake Boulevard
Chisago City, MN 55013
651-789-0317

Service availability may vary by location, care needs and caregiver availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is respite care only for full-time caregivers?

No. Respite care can help anyone who regularly provides unpaid care to a relative or friend. It can be used occasionally, on a recurring schedule or during a temporary change in family availability.

Can respite care be provided in the senior’s home?

Yes. Comfort Keepers provides respite care in the client’s home, allowing the person to remain in familiar surroundings while the family caregiver takes a break.

Can respite caregivers help with bathing and toileting?

Yes. When included in the care plan, caregivers can assist with bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, incontinence care, mobility and transfers.

Can respite care be used for someone with dementia?

Yes. Respite care can provide companionship, personal care, routine support and supervision for someone living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Services are personalized according to the person’s needs and abilities.

Is respite care available overnight?

Evening, overnight and 24-hour shift care may be available depending on the assessment, location, requested dates and caregiver availability. Families should contact the office as early as possible when planning extended coverage.

Can veterans receive respite care through the VA?

Some eligible veterans may receive VA-authorized respite, homemaker or home health aide services. The VA determines eligibility, approved services, hours, availability and potential copayments.

Will the same caregiver come every time?

Comfort Keepers prioritizes caregiver consistency whenever scheduling allows, but the same caregiver cannot be guaranteed for every visit. The scheduling team considers care needs, personality, availability and compatibility when arranging care.

How do families begin respite care?

The process begins with a complimentary consultation and in-home assessment. A Client Care Coordinator learns about the client’s needs, routines, abilities, home environment and preferred schedule before developing a personalized care plan.

Schedule a Complimentary Respite Care Assessment

You do not have to manage every caregiving responsibility alone. Whether you need a few hours to attend an appointment, recurring weekly support or extended care during travel, our local team can help you explore an appropriate care plan.

Call 651-789-0317 to ask about respite care in White Bear Lake, Shoreview, Vadnais Heights, Chisago City or a surrounding Minnesota community.

You may also contact Comfort Keepers online to request a complimentary consultation.