Caregivers of people with dementia face the challenge of taking a break without neglecting the care of the sick person. The Alzheimer's Research Initiative e.V. (AFI) provides practical advice on how a period of recovery can be made possible – either alone or together with the person suffering from the illness.
Time off alone as a caregiver
Caregivers can temporarily hand over care and use benefits from long-term care insurance. Short-term care in a residential facility or respite care at home are possible.
With short-term care, the person in need of care is looked after in a care facility for up to eight weeks. Long-term care insurance covers part of the costs. Due to often limited spaces, booking should be done early.
With respite care, the person suffering from the illness remains in their familiar environment and is looked after for hours or days by relatives, acquaintances, or professional caregivers. Both services – short-term care and respite care – are available together with an annual budget of up to 3,539 euros and can be flexibly combined. Respite care is possible from care level 2 and applies for a maximum of eight weeks per year.
Going on vacation together
In the early to middle stages of dementia, traveling together is often feasible and can strengthen the relationship as well as create positive experiences. It is important that the person suffering from the illness tolerates changes in routine and environment well.
The following approaches can help with planning:
- Build on previous preferences and shared vacation memories, such as familiar destinations or activities like the sea, mountains, or camping.
- Maintain familiar routines for meals, rest periods, or clothing, and bring familiar items such as a favorite mug, pillow, or photos.
- Plan for potential overwhelm from new impressions and remain flexible – even an early end can make the time together valuable.
- Test with day trips whether being on the go is well tolerated, for example to former places of residence or vacation spots.
If support is needed, it can be obtained during the vacation. Special offers for people with dementia and their caregivers provide temporary care and opportunities for the caregiver to rest.
The AFI emphasizes that breaks for caregiving relatives are essential to reduce their own burden and to be able to provide care in the long term. The non-profit association has been promoting dementia research since 1995 and care research since 2025. It provides free brochures and information and has so far supported over 470 research projects with more than 20.7 million euros.
