Respite Care
Respite care is an amazing resource for families and individuals who find themselves needing a break. Taking care of a loved one can be challenging and exhausting. Many families may find themselves working a usual job, caring for their children, and caring for a parent. This limits the time for self-care and can lead to burnout. Respite care puts an alternative solution in place so caregivers can handle their own needs and have time to re-energize.
Respite care can prevent burnout, a common result of caring for someone else extensively and not taking the time to care for yourself. When someone we care about is sick, we often push ourselves to ensure they are taken care of. However, it is just as important to care for ourselves and give caregivers time to rest. Taking care of someone else is challenging and can be mentally draining, even if we thoroughly enjoy the work! Respite care allows the caregiver to take a break while still providing services to the individual, so there is no lapse in care.
Burnout is when our lives get so busy and overwhelming that our body begins to exhibit symptoms and shut down. This is more likely to happen without proper rest and time to relax and affects our daily lives. This does not happen exclusively in the medical field. It is common in mental health, law enforcement, and physical labor jobs.
Somecommon symptoms of burnout include:
- Exhaustion
- Difficulty sleeping
- Trouble concentrating
- Getting sick more often
- Depression
- Feeling stressed
- Negative change in attitude
- Decreased production
Respite care can be a great way to prevent burnout but ensure that the person is well taken care of. Respite can occur in various places, depending on what is most convenient and desired by the care team and person. Some examples include in the home, at day facilities, or in residential facilities that offer overnight care. The length of respite care can vary and should be discussed with your home health provider to ensure coverage and care are provided with no gaps.
Respite services can be used similarly to companion, nursing, or caregiver services. When using respite, ensure that the daily tasks provided by the usual staff are relayed thoroughly to the new staff. Respite services can help bathing, dressing, making meals, taking medications, and light household tasks. Should your loved one need more extensive services, those are also offered. In some cases, respite may also cover community outings or grocery shopping; however, if respite care is provided in a facility, this may not be necessary.
Senior Shield Home Care offers respite services to encourage primary caregivers to care for themselves. We cannot adequately care for others if we do not take time for ourselves. To discuss how you can implement home health or respite services, contact our staff today for a consultation. We will devise a customized plan to ensure your loved one is in the right hands!
Popular Questions
Respite care is defined as the transfer of primary caregiving responsibilities to another person, typically a professional caregiver, relative or friend, in order for primary caregivers to receive temporary relief from caregiving responsibilities.
Maybe you want to take a vacation with your family, or maybe you would benefit from a regular couple-hour break each week.
Assess your needs to decide what type of outside help you need. Do you want emotional support? Help with personal care, like bathing or feeding? Do you want someone to help with meals or shopping?