Posted on Dec 26, 2019 in Caregiving
Respite care is a term used for a temporary break or rest from caregiving work.
It might be that you’re caring for an elderly loved one but you’re heading on vacation. It could be that you simply need a break from your caregiving duties. Or, perhaps your elderly relative needs specialized medical care after surgery.
Whatever the reason for seeking out this type of care, there are plenty of respite care communities to take the load off of you.
These short-term stays at a senior living facility can also be a great way to try a community if your loved one is considering a more permanent move.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for a respite stay. Depending on your needs and the reason for requiring a short-term stay at a senior living community, there’s a broad spread of options at your disposal.
Aging in place is the formal term for a senior remaining in their own home. An AARP survey showed that 90% of seniors intend to stay in their home for the next 5 to 10 years.
With many families opting to make this possible and acting as caregivers, short term stays are commonly needed. Caregiving is a demanding and challenging job for those at the business end.
Here are the main types of respite care:
Center-based day care takes place at a club or day center for seniors.
Simply drop off your loved one there first thing in the morning then pick them up later in the afternoon.
Some centers and clubs offer free transportation to and from your house.
This type of care is highly recommended if you need to leave your senior for a whole day or for overnight care.
Community access programs provide social activities and outings for groups of older adults to help them to develop more independence and to encourage interaction.
This can be provided in cases of a personal or health emergency where you need to move your loved one into temporary care at once.
You can find emergency care hotlines for your area online. Call them and get immediate relief.
You can hire a caregiver to come in to take care of your senior loved one in their own home.
These services cover both daycare and overnight stays.
An in-home service can be a cost-effective and efficient method of getting a few days off.
An overnight stay in a facility usually delivers your loved one with a bed-and-breakfast arrangement in simple apartments.
Both of you will get the temporary respite you need.
If you need to be away for a longer period, residential respite care is the smartest option if it falls within budget.
Residential respite care takes place in a home or facility for the elderly.
You can leave your loved one here for days or even weeks and they’ll get all their daily necessities as well as any medications and treatment needed.
This respite care can either be planned or used during an emergency.
This type of respite care is advisable for elderly patients discharged from hospitals and needing some health assistance as they rest and recuperate.
Transition respite care offers a continuation of any treatment and therapy needed for the senior to swiftly recuperate. There are also dietitians on hand in these facilities to ensure the patient’s diet is followed.
If you and your family are heading off for that long awaited weekend getaway, you can take your aging loved one to a weekend respite care facility.
Here they also deliver community, recreational and social activities for the elderly on the weekends.
They will also take care of any treatments or medications your loved one needs.
So…
As you can see, you’ve got a plethora of options when it comes to respite care but why is it so vital at times when you’re caregiving?
Taking advantage of respite care help is essential for both the caregiver and the senior patient.
Once in a while, any carer needs some time off from the fatiguing job of caregiving.
The elderly person can also benefit through socializing and engaging in various activities with fellow seniors through respite care.
This form of care, in whatever form, performs a vital role and helps you and your loved one.
We’ll round out today by highlighting the core benefits of respite care for all parties concerned.
Everybody needs a break and that includes you if you’re caregiving.
Putting your loved one into respite care can help you in the following ways:
If you want to function at your best when caring for an elderly loved one, you need a great deal of energy.
If you find your energy levels flagging, temporary respite from the job can provide you with some much needed strength. Not only will you recharge physically but mentally and emotionally as well.
Socialization is paramount so ask yourself how your senior’s social life is.
Chances are, they could use a bit of variety and some new stimulus. Respite care can provide this.
This rings true for you as well. Taking care of a senior can be hard and isolating. It would be highly beneficial for you to take some time out for shopping, a recreational trip or just hanging out with friends.
It’s easy to become subsumed by caregiving and to lose some of your own identity.
To avoid feeling defined or constrained by your role as caregiver, respite care is a valuable short-term strategy when carefully deployed.
If you’re feeling exhausted or burned out from caregiving, taking a step back can help you achieve some perspective while giving you a precious breather.
A short break can leave you feeling invigorated and ready to launch headlong once more into your caregiving duties.
Sometimes, day-to-day living becomes a tedious affair. If your loved one is stuck in the house and struggling with mobility while you are constantly tending to them, you can both find yourself highly stressed.
Respite care in its various forms offers both you and your loved one the chance to relax and take stock.
As we’ve mentioned over and over again, taking a break from your caregiving work will revitalize you and invigorate your senses.
Getting some space from a restrictive environment is crucial for your wellbeing so don’t hesitate to take advantage of respite care.
If you are interested in looking at a respite care community, we’ve got 5 communities we’re proud of. We assisted living and memory care services so get in touch and we’ll be delighted to arrange a free tour of the nearest Landmark senior living community.
