Non-Family Care

A family caregiver looks for someone outside the family to take responsibility for part of the caregiving. What term could be clearer to describe this situation than Non-Family Care?

I've never liked the term Respite Care. What is a respite anyway? Oxford Languages defines "respite" as: a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.

Respite Care is the most common term people use. But it's not actually what all people want.

So actually Respite Care is a less accurate term for this situation we're describing. Remember? The family caregiver is searching for a caregiver from outside the family, but they haven't said anything yet about time frame.

Baked inside the term Respite Care are harmful implications like:

• The caregiver wants caregiving for a short period of time
• Caregiving is a difficult and unpleasant activity
• While temporary caregiving takes place, the primary caregiver should be resting

The same elder care system that's telling me caregiving is a Rewarding Experience, is also telling me caregiving's a hainus chore from which you only get short breaks where you must sleep.

No, no. A family caregiver has the right to choose their words.

Non-Family Care is a better term because it emphasizes the caregiver not a family member. It doesn't smear presumptuous nuance about any of the other aspects, like time or quality of time.

A family caregiver looking for someone outside the family is looking for Non-Family Care.