It is estimated that more than 33 million Americans provide unpaid care for someone 50 or older. Half of these caregivers also work full time, and about one fifth of them provide more than 40 hours of care per week¹. The result is millions of Americans short on time and highly stressed, often without relief in sight.

“Short-term stay” programs, in which an individual stays in a senior housing community for a period ranging from days to months, are becoming a popular way for Americans to take a break from their daily responsibilities as caregivers. It allows caregivers to take a vacation or go on a business trip, at the same time ensuring that their loved one will be safe and well cared for.

These programs are a subset of respite care, which the Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging defines as “The provision of appropriate, temporary, substitute care or supervision of functionally impaired persons aged 60 and over.” While the phrases respite care and short-term stay are sometimes used interchangeably, the former is an all encompassing concept which includes services such as adult day care and home health as well.

Caregivers often seek short-term stay programs as an alternative supervised care option for their loved ones. An additional benefit is the opportunity for a “sampling” of the lifestyle and care level support available in the appropriate senior housing setting. This is particularly useful for families struggling to persuade their loved one to move to senior housing that addresses the special needs of the individual. These programs offer a way to “test-drive” senior housing on a limited basis without the emotional turmoil of a more permanent move.

“The idea of the trial stay is great because it reassures the parent that they aren’t stuck—they don’t have to be there for the rest of their life—which means they’re generally more receptive of the situation,” says Grace Lebow, MSW, LCSW-C, co-author of Coping With Your Difficult Older Parent, a Guide for Stressed-Out Children. “The fear is that they are going into a nursing home. Older people think of days long ago when nursing homes were the only option.”

In fact, a recent study indicates that being forced to move into a nursing home is the second most common answer given by seniors asked to name their greatest fear— putting it four slots ahead of death².

Lebow explains that a brief stint in an assisted living community can go a long way towards dispelling a senior’s misconceptions about senior housing.

“Once she’s tried the facility she may still go back home, but maybe a month later something happens—a fall perhaps—and she will realize that she does need some help,” Lebow explains. “The fact that she’s been there once can make a huge difference. They typically go back to the place that they tried, and often do so without complaint.”

Short-term stays can prove especially helpful for the approximately 5.1 to 7 million long-distance caregivers in the United States^1,3. Lebow says that encouraging an older loved one to visit on vacation by staying at a senior housing community nearby can be a good way to familiarize them with the advantages of congregate living.

Taking advantage of a short-term stay program is not as simple as checking into hotel. Providers must take a personalized approach, requiring comprehensive needs assessment to be conducted with the senior and their family prior to moving in. Therefore, being proactive and planning ahead is a must.

“Short-term stays are a great option for seniors and their families,” says Jayne Sallerson, national vice president of sales and marketing for Emeritus Senior Living. “We love it because the trial stay provides a much-needed break for the caregiver and it often results in the short-term resident electing to move in permanently.”

Sallerson explains that seniors and their families’ perception of these alternative living arrangements usually improve after a short stay.

“After a senior has had an opportunity to experience what life is like at an independent or assisted living community, many of their fears dissipate,” she says. “They see that they’re not losing their independence and that they’re actually enjoying the socialization, as well as the peace of mind that comes with knowing the staff is available 24 hours a day.”

According to Sallerson, many residents seem to expect an austere, hospital-like environment, and are pleasantly surprised by how nice the community feels. She says that Emeritus has had thousands of short-term stay success stories, the most satisfying of which involve seniors who were initially adamant about not moving.

“It’s amazing to see the transition that they make after a very short time,” she says. “We often hear seniors ask, ‘why didn’t I do this sooner?’”

When dealing with an often contentious subject such as a move to senior housing, the guidance of a professional social worker can help ease the situation.

“Social workers can play a vital role in this process beyond assessing needs and locating options,” says Lebow. “Seniors often won’t listen to family members, but can be more receptive of the opinion of a trusted professional once they get to know them.”

Lebow says that social workers should move slowly with the senior and introduce more than one option. She says that whenever possible, visiting a community before selection can help to allay the fears and anxiety associated with a potential transition. Arranging for a friendly resident to meet with the senior during the visit can increase the likelihood that they will be amenable to staying there as well.

Lebow also suggests taking photos during visits for seniors with memory impairment. These photos can be used as reference points to remind the senior of key attributes during follow up discussions. Above all, she says social workers should encourage a senior’s family to be patient and honest.

“Make sure they understand that short-term stay programs aren’t a way to slip their parent into permanent senior housing against their will,” she says. “Doing so will just put a huge strain on their relationship and be tough for the facility.”

The methods used to find senior housing have evolved by leaps and bounds in the past few years. Until recently, social workers have been challenged to identify and screen options outside of their immediate service area.

“I’ve been at this for more than 30 years, and the Internet makes care management so much easier,” says Lebow, who co-founded the care management company Aging Network Services, Bethesda.

New online navigational tools such as the Social Work Today Senior Housing Locator (housing.socialworktoday.com) can provide professionals with a quick and easy way to locate appropriate short-term stay options for a senior. The Senior Housing Locator allows users to search by care levels and services, and its detailed listings provide information about a community’s short-term care offerings.

The end result is a qualified list of options that best meet a senior’s needs and wants. By providing information and expertise, a social worker can help ensure that the senior and the family are making an informed decision together, ultimately resulting in a better fit.

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Eve M. Stern, RN, MS, has almost 30 years’ experience in the health care industry and is president of SNAPforSeniors, Inc., developers of the Social Work Today Senior Housing Locator.