Respite Care Can Make a Difference
What Is Respite Care and Why Is It Important?
Caring for an older loved one is an incredibly rewarding experience, yet it comes with its own set of challenges. As family and other caregivers give their time, energy, and love to others, their own needs can easily be pushed aside. This is where respite care can make a world of difference—not just for the person receiving care, but for the caregiver as well.
According to the National Institutes of Health, respite care is defined as short-term relief for primary caregivers, giving them time to rest, travel, or spend time with other family and friends. The care may last anywhere from a few hours to several weeks at a time and be at home, a health community or adult day care.
More about that at: NIH Respite Care Defined
For many, the challenges of caring for an older loved one or chronically ill family member are just part of daily life. Caregiving is a very demanding job and few people are equipped to handle it alone. Often it begins with simply trying to do what is best for your loved one and just keep up. Respite care can help as it provides short-term breaks that can relieve stress, restore energy and promote some balance in your life. There are many respite care options available for both the caregiver as well as for the older loved one.
At CarePatrol, we work with families to explore all of the respite options for everyone involved and focus on helping with those that the are best fit. Sometimes just a little break can work wonders for everyone involved. After all, most caregivers are usually also concerned about their own families, careers and other interests and need to keep up with that aspect of their life. When thinking about respite care, consider some of the following factors:
- Seeking support and maintaining your own health are key in managing your role as a caregiver. There is a high correlation between caregivers and their own declining health.
- Finding respite care options before you become burned out, isolated or overwhelmed is ideal. Try to plan ahead and you will reap the benefits.
- Respite care can provide assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, grooming and social interaction.
- Respite care allows you to share the responsibilities for caregiving and allows you to focus on other life responsibilities and interests.
- Honestly assessing your loved ones needs, abilities and preferences will help you find the right respite care match and CarePatrol is here to help.
At CarePatrol, we understand how stressful it can be for family caregivers. It is our passion to provide targeted senior care solutions for families, to give them peace of mind and to help older adults to live their best lives. You’re never alone when you work with our certified senior care advisors. We will provide a selection of senior communities or respite solutions that are matched to your loved one. Then we will make arrangements and accompany you on community tours, ensuring that you receive the answers you need to make an informed decision.