Being a family caregiver can be a lot of work, and if you’re not intentional about self care, you can find yourself burnt out and exhausted. In fact, caregiver burnout is extremely common, and it comes with a number of health risks. In order to avoid burnout, it’s important to take care of yourself. Respite care provides necessary support to caregivers, so they can continue provide quality care to their loved ones without becoming emotionally and physically fatigued. Unfortunately, many caregivers are hesitant to ask for help, and are left feeling isolated, defeated, and worn out. When this happens, caregivers can become depressed, anxious, and physically ill, leaving them with little to offer the loved one that’s under their care. Respite care can help caregivers avoid burnout.
So, what is respite care? Let’s look at what it entails, and how it can help you to provide the best possible care to your loved one while ensuring that you’re properly cared for as well.
What is considered respite care?
A caregiver’s job never ends, and it’s a responsibility that is a big part of your day-to-day life. If you’re caring for a loved one who has a disability or injury, you likely spend almost every moment ensuring that they’re fed, bathed, safe, and happy, leaving you little time to care for your own needs. Additionally, your calendar may be filled with medical exams, physical therapy, and psychotherapy appointments. This often leaves little time to think of your own physical, emotional, and social needs. Respite care offers short-term relief for caregivers, so they can relax and recharge.
Respite care can take place in a variety of locations including at your home or in a facility, like a day program. While you’re away, your loved one will be looked after by a trained provider who will ensure that their physical and emotional needs are met. Caregivers may use this time however they see fit – to see friends, pursue work or hobbies, run errands, or simply just rest.
A respite caregiver is trained to ensure that your loved one feels comfortable while you’re away. The respite care provider will also take care of his or her needs. This can include:
It may be difficult to consider leaving your loved one in someone else’s care, but with a quality provider, you can rest assured that your loved one is in good hands while you take care of yourself.
Why is respite care helpful?
Respite care offers the opportunity for a caregiver and his or her loved one to refresh, socialize, and recharge from the work put in to providing day-to-day care. A caregiver can take advantage of respite care in order to complete activities like:
- Driving to appointments
- Exercising
- Taking vacations
- Going to coffee with friends
- Pursuing personal interests
- Resting and recharging
- Shopping
- Working
- Spending time with other family members
It is important to remember that if you aren’t taking care of yourself, you can’t properly care for anyone else. Self care is essential to being able to properly care for your loved one, and it’s the best thing you can do to ensure that you both remain happy and healthy. As a primary caregiver, your goal should be to ensure that you and your loved one are both happy, healthy, and content, and by taking advantage of respite care, you can ensure that both of your needs are met.
Who can benefit from respite services in their home?
Respite services are intended for people who are the primary caregivers of loved ones with a long term disease or disability that requires the patient to be dependent upon them for daily tasks. This may include individuals who have or have had:
- Alzheimer’s disease or dementia
- Cancer
- Brain injury
- Stroke
- Blindness
- Cognitive disabilities
- Physical disabilities
Respite care allows the primary caregiver to take a break from their caregiving tasks, while a qualified provider stays to continue care in their absence.
Caregiver benefits of respite care.
Caring for an older adult or a person with disabilities can be a full-time job with little to no time for personal activities. Generally speaking, respite care provides breaks for caregivers, and these breaks provide a lot of benefits for caregivers:
- Increased social interaction
- Increased independence
- Relaxation time
- Vacation
- Peace of mind
- Mental health benefits
While respite care is intended to provide relief for caregivers, it can also have positive effects on the people they are caring for. Loved ones may:
- Get to meet new people: Social interaction is good for mental health, and the more friendships seniors and people with disabilities build, the more they may want to get out of the house.
- Enjoy a fun change of pace: Your loved one’s life may be a bit repetitive if they are only interacting with the same people in the same places every single week. While some may enjoy this consistency, others might enjoy spicing things up and experiencing new things.
How PASCO can help with respite care services.
PASCO was founded on the principle that patients thrive best when their caregiver is supported and empowered. Our Care for the Caregiver™ initialtive strives to care for, support and guide caregivers so they have the resources they need to properly care for their loved ones. Burnout is very real, and we believe that nobody should feel alone when they’re providing care.
Our trained professionals work alongside families to provide respite care, so you can rest, recharge, and return with the energy you need to provide excellent care to your loved one. While you’re away, you can rest assured that your responsibilities are being carried out, and that your loved one is safe, so you can take the break you need to properly care for yourself.
If you’d like to learn more about the respite care services we provide at PASCO, please contact us today. We look forward to supporting you.
