Respite care can make a difference in helping you take care of your loved one. If you are a caregiver, you are well aware of how stressful and overwhelming it can become at times. Depending on your personal situation, you may find yourself with little time for yourself, missing out on important appointments, and even neglecting your social life.
Seasoned caregivers know the secret to successful caregiving is finding a balance between providing care and also caring for yourself. While it may feel like there is no time for you and your needs, it doesn’t have yo be that way. Respite care is an excellent and often necessary tool for any caregiver.
What is Respite Care?
Respite care is provided to caregivers and families of disabled, ill, or other individuals who require care. It gives caregivers a break from their duties to allow them to relax and have time away from caregiving. A break from caregiving can be something as small as running errands or even taking a small vacation.
In-home respite care and residential care outside of the home are both common types of respite care among some patients and their families. They come in several different variations.
In-Home Respite Care
Respite care can come in many forms. A friend or family member can temporarily assume caregiver duties while the primary caregiver is away or a trained professional can v hired for more complex situations. If you are unsure whether a friend or family member could manage the tasks of caregiving, as your doctor. He/she is an excellent judge of what type of care would suit your loved one best,
Adult Day Care Respite
Adult day care centers are growing increasingly popular, but these are targeted more for seniors and those with disabilities who require care while their primary caregiver is working. Daycare centers for adults provide basic care, socialization, exercise, and possibly therapy services (occupational, speech r physical therapy) to their customers. Many patients often require more than the basic level of care than these centers offer.
Residential Respite Care
Residential care in the form of nursing homes or hospices are also available. Not all facilities offer respite services, however.
Caregiver Support Groups
Caregiver support groups may be active in your community. These support groups often take turns providing respite are so other group members can get relief. You can find caregiver support groups in Louisville by doing a simple Google search.
Why Respite Care is Needed
Providing care to your loved one, whatever their health issues, will eventually take an emotional and physical toll. Fatigue, trouble sleeping, irritability, and changes in appetite are just a few signs of emotional and physical exhaustion, also known as “caregiver burnout”. Caregiver burnout is extremely common among fulltime caregivers, especially those who do not get frequent breaks away from the caregiving environment.
Caregiver burnout should not be mistaken for depression, which can also be common among caregivers. The symptoms of depression are similar to the mental and physical exhaustion caregivers experience, If you think you may be suffering from depression, please see your health care provider.
Caregiving can occupy much of your time, even the time you need for essential tasks, like doctor or dental appointments. Respite care affords you the opportunity to take care of appointments, relax, and spend time outside of the caregiving environment.
How to Find Respite Care
Depending on what level of care your require, finding respite care may be as simple as asking friends and family to help out. If you require more help than this, and in-home health agency may be your best choice for effective respite care. And we hope CareBuilders at Home will be the agency you choose. Just call us for a meet and greet interview and we’ll get to know each other.
Remember that to properly care for another person, you have to first take care of yourself! It’s completely normal to feel guilty about taking time for yourself, but you shouldn’t ever feel guilty about taking care of yourself. You need time away to recharge your batteries. Regular avenues of stress relief and relaxation can help you to better focus on your caregiving duties.
