Short-term respite stays at AristaCare at Whiting

Need someone to care for your loved one for a little while?

Whether your loved one is coming home from the hospital and needs a little more support, you are going on vacation or having surgery, or you simply need a break from caring for them at home, AristaCare at Whiting in Whiting, NJ can help. Your loved one stays with us for a few days or a few weeks, with nurses on hand around the clock, three meals a day, and activities to enjoy. When the stay is over, they head back home.

This is called a short-term respite stay, or respite care.

  • 24-hour nursing care Licensed nurses and aides on every shift
  • A few days to a few weeks Planned around your dates
  • Short notice possible We do our best to make it work
  • A trial stay Get to know Whiting first

Is a short-term respite stay right for us?

Answer three quick questions and we will point you to the right next step. There are no wrong answers, and nothing is sent anywhere.

What a short-term respite stay includes

  • 24-hour nursing care Licensed nurses and aides on every shift
  • Medication management Medications given on schedule and monitored
  • Help with daily activities Bathing, dressing, grooming, and getting around
  • Meals and snacks Three meals a day, planned around dietary needs
  • Activities and recreation A full calendar of programs and social time
  • Therapy when needed Physical, occupational, and speech therapy

Why families choose Whiting

Whiting holds American Heart Association certification in heart failure care, so a respite guest with a heart condition is cared for by a team that works with those needs every day.

Our Nostalgia Park memory care program is designed for residents living with dementia, so a respite guest with memory loss is cared for by staff trained in dementia care.

Who a short-term respite stay is for

A short-term respite stay may be a good fit if your loved one:

  • Is coming home from the hospital and needs extra support before going back home
  • Lives at home and needs daily hands-on help or supervision
  • Has a caregiver who is traveling, working, having surgery, or needs a break
  • Is living with dementia or a chronic condition that makes it unsafe to be alone
  • Is considering long-term care and wants to try a short stay first

How to plan a short-term respite stay

  1. Call admissions Tell us your dates and a little about your loved one.
  2. Care review Our team reviews medical and daily care needs to confirm a respite stay is the right fit.
  3. Payment options We go over rates and any coverage your loved one may have.
  4. Arrival We confirm the date and have a care plan ready before your loved one arrives.

Paying for a short-term respite stay

Contact our admissions team for current respite rates, or see the insurance plans Whiting accepts. We review every option with you before a stay is booked.

Most respite stays are private pay. Our admissions team will share the current daily rate and answer any questions before you book.

Packing for a short-term respite stay

Check items off as you pack. Your list is saved on this device, so you can come back to it.

All packed. We look forward to welcoming your loved one.

Short-term respite stay questions

What is respite care at AristaCare at Whiting?

Respite care is a short stay at Whiting for someone who is normally cared for at home. Your loved one receives 24-hour nursing care, meals, help with daily activities, and recreation, while the family caregiver takes a planned or emergency break.

Is respite care the same as a short-term stay?

Yes. Respite care is the formal name for a short-term stay at a nursing and rehabilitation center for someone who is usually cared for at home. Families also call it temporary care, a short stay, or a caregiver break. Whatever you call it, your loved one gets 24-hour care while you take the time you need.

Can my loved one have a short-term respite stay after a hospital stay?

Yes. If your loved one is ready to leave the hospital but not quite ready to go home, or you need time to prepare, a short-term respite stay at Whiting can bridge the gap. If they need therapy or skilled nursing to recover, our short-term rehabilitation program may be the better fit and may be covered by Medicare or insurance. Ask the hospital case manager to contact us, or call admissions and we will help you decide.

How is a short-term respite stay different from in-home respite care?

In-home respite brings a caregiver to your house for a few hours or days. A short-term respite stay at Whiting means your loved one stays with us, with licensed nurses and aides on every shift, meals, and activities. Families often choose a stay when their loved one needs more care than a home aide can provide, or when the family caregiver will be away overnight.

How long can a respite stay last?

Respite stays typically range from a few days to a few weeks, depending on your needs and bed availability. Our admissions team will work with you on dates.

Who is eligible for respite care?

Adults who live at home and need help with daily care, medications, or supervision are generally good candidates. Before the stay, our team reviews your loved one's care needs to confirm Whiting can meet them.

How much does respite care cost, and does insurance cover it?

Contact our admissions team for current rates. Respite is usually private pay, and long-term care insurance, some Medicaid managed long-term care plans, and the Medicare hospice benefit may help cover the cost. We will review your options with you at no charge.

How far in advance should we book a respite stay?

We do our best to accommodate every family's needs. Advance notice gives our team time to have the room, care plan, and medications ready before your loved one arrives, but we can also arrange stays on short notice when the need comes up. We are here to support families and caregivers whenever they need us.

Can we use a respite stay to try Whiting before long-term care?

Yes. Many families use a respite stay to see how their loved one settles in, meet the staff, and experience daily life at Whiting before making a long-term decision. Learn more about long-term care at Whiting.

What should my loved one bring?

Comfortable clothing for each day of the stay, toiletries, eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dentures, a current medication list, insurance cards and photo ID, and a few familiar items from home such as photos or a favorite blanket. The packing checklist above lets you check items off as you go.

Ready to plan a short-term respite stay?

Our admissions team will walk you through every step.

Respite stays depend on bed availability and a review of care needs before arrival. Our admissions team is happy to answer questions and help you plan.