I had an experience that brought reality to my doorstep. Last Memorial Day, I sprained my right ankle. I didn’t think much of it, but I stayed off my foot as much as possible. When I noticed that my ankle had stopped improving, I had an X-ray. It didn’t show a break, so I hobbled around for another few weeks. The MRI ordered by my doctor revealed two hairline fractures in my ankle. I was fitted with a casting boot and instructed not to put weight on that foot for several weeks. That meant I couldn’t drive!

Getting around on crutches was very difficult, especially because the stairs made it hard to reach essential rooms. My most immediate concern was this: “Who will take care of me, the caregiver for my disabled son?”

Then it hit me: I couldn’t do everything—I had to rely on others. That was a very disturbing thought for me because I’m used to being self-sufficient. Fortunately, a retired family member stepped up to manage my son’s activities and all appointments, as well as the shopping, cooking, and other necessary chores. I am very grateful that I had this support during my confinement.

I realized that not everyone has someone who can step into the caregiver role, even for a short time. If you find yourself in a similar situation, some agencies offer respite care and home services that can help.

Start with your health care provider, hospital social worker, case manager, county health department, private insurance company, or local disability-services office to determine which services may be available. Some services require a doctor’s referral. In Illinois, call 211 or text your ZIP code to 898211 for free, confidential referrals, or visit 211Illinois.org. For help with developmental disability services, call Illinois’ DDD hotline at 1-888-337-5267. For older-adult care, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 or visit eldercare.acl.gov to find the local Area Agency on Aging.

Medicare may cover certain home health services, such as part-time or intermittent skilled nursing and therapy, when eligibility and provider-order requirements are met. Medicaid coverage and services vary by state and program. Check the Medicare home health coverage page and Medicaid’s state contact directory, and confirm the details with your insurance plan or state agency.

For Illinois readers, two organizations that may be able to help are:

Trinity Services, Inc. offers respite and other supports in more than 35 Illinois communities. For intake, call 815-485-6197 or visit trinityservices.org. For in-home or residential respite, call 815-485-8146.

Cornerstone Services, Inc. offers home-based services in Will and Kankakee counties. For service access, call 815-741-7033 or visit cornerstoneservices.org.

Availability, eligibility, and contact information can change, so verify current details directly with each program.

Help is available. Research local resources and ask which benefits you may qualify for. Do not wait for a crisis to create a simple backup plan. Keep the following information current and easy for a trusted person to find:

Backup caregivers. List at least two people, their phone numbers, and when they are available.

Care instructions. Record the daily routine, medications, allergies, dietary needs, communication preferences, and medical or behavioral considerations.

Key contacts and documents. Include health care providers, pharmacy, case manager, insurance information, emergency contacts, and any legal or authorization documents a substitute caregiver may need.

Respite option. Identify at least one respite or home-care provider in advance, confirm eligibility and availability, and note how to request care.

Planning ahead can make an unexpected illness or injury less disruptive for both the caregiver and the person receiving care.

Until Next Time…

Mary Beth Hobson, CH