OK as the Ct Lifespan Respite Coordinator I will jump in here. Respite
is a break for you the caregiver & also for the person being cared for.
If you have someone willing to give you some free weekends-that is
respite for your family.  Signing up may give you funds towards care,
or allow you to use a center---- but respite looks a little different
for each family. It should meet your needs & make you all comfortable.
You shouldn't have to wait till you are so over stressed for a break!
So I suggest figuring out something that works for you...it does not
have to be a formal respite program- but something that gives you all a
break from each other & the work & that you can all enjoy.  It needs to
occur as often as your family needs it & feels comfortable being apart.
     Hope this helped. I do have a down loadable book on our web site.
The first part talks about where respite may take place, how to hire
help etc.  The second part is a series of pages you fill out about the
person being cared for- We use them in notebooks in our family
workshops. As things change you can go back & down load that page &
fill it in with the changes.
The web site is   CTRESPITE.org         The book is "Get Creative About
Respite"    Hope this helps    Joy   Ct