An official State of Texas website.
Providing care for a loved one can be rewarding but also stressful. It’s important that while caregivers are providing care to others, they don’t ignore their own physical, mental and social health needs. Explore the resources available for respite, mental health care and support groups.
Caregiver Self-Care
Care for Yourself
Respite
Respite care is when someone else cares for your loved one for a short period of time so you, the caregiver, can take a break. Respite can be provided in a variety of settings (in-home or group settings) and can be offered for a couple of hours to overnight options. Learn more about planning for respite using the following resources:
- The Take Time Texas search tool can help you find local respite care for people of all ages.
- Free respite care for qualified military caregivers.
- Respite care information for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
- Respite care for children with disabilities.
- Respite and crisis respite for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This search tool will help you find the local intellectual and developmental disability authority (LIDDA) serving your area.
- The prescreening tool at the bottom of the Your Texas Benefits webpage can help you identify what benefits you may qualify for, including respite services.
Mental and Behavioral Health Support
Caregiving happens along with the rest of life, and it can be overwhelming. Caregivers who need extra support are urged to connect with a mental health professional.
- Learn more about available mental and behavioral health services.
- View this card with important information on how to help someone with thoughts of suicide (PDF), including warning signs and steps to take to seek help.
- Information about mental health and suicide prevention (PDF) in the older adult population.
- Use this search tool to help you find the LIDDA that provides crisis services in your area.
- Combating compassion fatigue is an important part of caregiver mental health and of suicide prevention. Learn more about caregivers experiencing compassion fatigue (PDF).
Support Groups
Support groups provide caregivers with the opportunity to connect with peers to share the challenges and rewards of caring for a loved one. Connecting with others who have shared experiences (peers) can provide emotional support and guidance.
Day Services
Organizations, such as day care for children or adult day activity and health services facilities, provide activities and ongoing care in the community.
- Learn more about the day care options for children with disabilities.
- Search for an adult day activity and health services facility by entering your ZIP code and selecting “all adult day activity and health services” in the drop-down menu.