Respite In Place Planning
When you can't leave home, you still deserve a break. Create a restorative space within your home, yard, and community where you can reclaim yourself and recharge.
Why Respite Matters
When you care for a family member, you may find it difficult to get a break. You might struggle to find and hire help. You may need to stay close by because of complex care needs. You may not have family members who can help. Or you may feel guilty leaving your caree alone.
The reality is this: You cannot pour from an empty cup. Respite — a break from caregiving — isn't selfish. It's essential for your physical health, mental wellbeing, and your ability to be the caregiver your family member needs.
Respite In Place means finding ways to get that break without having to leave home. It means creating spaces and strategies within your existing life where you can rest, recharge, and reconnect with yourself.
Not sure if respite is what you need right now? Try our free Respite In Place interactive tool →
What This Session Is For
This 50-minute planning session helps you design practical respite strategies that fit your life. You'll leave with a concrete plan for creating restorative space in your home, yard, and community — even when you can't leave.
Discover Your Options
Learn multiple respite strategies — from micro-moments at home to community-based breaks — that can work with your caregiving situation.
Set Boundaries With Compassion
Explore how to take time for yourself while maintaining the care your family member needs. Manage guilt and build confidence in your break-taking.
Create Your Plan
Use our Respite In Place Plan template to design specific strategies you can implement immediately in your home and community.
Connect With Others
Join other caregivers who understand the struggle of finding time for yourself. Share ideas, get encouragement, and build community support.
Session Details
You'll Leave With:
- A completed Respite In Place Plan tailored to your situation
- Specific, actionable respite strategies you can start this week
- Ideas for creating restorative space in your home and yard
- Community resources and respite options available to you
- Connection to other caregivers and ongoing support
How to Prepare
To get the most from your planning session, we recommend a little preparation. Don't worry — it just takes a few minutes!
1. Try Our Interactive Tool
Spend a few minutes with our free Respite In Place interactive tool. It helps you explore what respite looks like for your specific situation — and gives you a head start before the session.
Open the Respite In Place Tool →2. Take Our Quick Survey
Spend one minute answering a few questions about your respite challenges. This helps our facilitator understand what you need most.
Take the Pre-Event Survey →3. Download Your Plan Template
Get our Respite In Place Plan worksheet. You'll use this during the session to create your personalized respite strategy.
Download the Plan Template →4. Reflect on Your Situation
Think about your biggest respite challenges. When do you need a break most? What makes it difficult to get one? What would help you recharge?
Ready? You have everything you need. Just join us on the second Tuesday of the month!
What You'll Experience in This Session
1. Check In
We begin by creating a welcoming space and checking in on what brought you here. What's your biggest respite challenge?
2. Share & Learn
Hear from other caregivers about their respite struggles and solutions. Real strategies from real people navigating what you're facing.
3. Explore Options
Discover multiple respite strategies — from creating a peaceful corner in your home to accessing community-based respite options.
4. Build Your Plan
Using your template, design specific respite strategies that fit your life. Get guidance on implementation and problem-solving real barriers.
5. Accountability & Support
Commit to one respite action this week. Get encouragement from the group and know you have support moving forward.
6. Ongoing Connection
Join our Caring Our Way community for continued support, resource sharing, and connection with other caregivers on their respite journeys.
Facilitated By Denise M. Brown
Founder, The Caregiving Years Training Academy
Denise brings 35 years of personal caregiving experience, including caring for her own parents. She's dedicated her career to helping family caregivers find sustainable ways to care for themselves while caring for their caree.
Learn More About DeniseFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need to complete the survey and download the template?
The survey and template are helpful but not required. They just make the session more personalized and productive. If you don't have time before the session, you can still participate and we'll help you fill things out during the meeting.
What if I can't leave my caree alone to attend?
This is a common concern for caregivers! Join by Zoom from home. You can position your computer so you can see and hear the session while staying close to your family member. Many caregivers join and keep one ear on the session while attending to their caree.
What if my respite barriers seem impossible to solve?
Every caregiver's situation is different. Some respite barriers are easier to solve than others. In this session, you'll explore creative strategies that work within your constraints. We'll help you identify what's possible, even if it's not perfect.
I struggle with guilt about taking time for myself. Will this session help with that?
Yes. Guilt is one of the biggest obstacles to respite for caregivers. During this session, we'll address the emotional side of taking breaks and help you understand why respite is essential, not selfish.
Are there respite options that would actually work for me?
We'll explore many different respite strategies — some cost money, some don't. Some require leaving home, some happen right where you are. You'll likely discover options you hadn't considered before.
What happens if I can't make the second Tuesday?
We hold this session on the second Tuesday of every month, so you can join whenever it works for you. You can also explore our other planning sessions that meet on different dates throughout the month.
You Deserve a Break
Caregiving is demanding. You pour everything you have into caring for your family member. But you can't sustain that without taking care of yourself.
Join us for this 50-minute planning session and create a Respite In Place strategy that works for your life. You'll leave with a concrete plan and the support of other caregivers who understand.
Register for Your SessionOther Planning Sessions That Might Help
Start Planning Your Respite This Month
The second Tuesday is coming. Join other caregivers who understand what you're going through and leave with a concrete plan for taking the break you deserve.
Register Now