The Importance of Respite Care for Family Caregivers
Providing care for an aging loved one can be a rewarding and enriching experience. It can also be physically and emotionally challenging. If you’re a primary caregiver for a loved one, respite care can help you balance the demands of caregiving and everyday life.
A recent report on unpaid or informal caregiving in the U.S. reveals some surprising truths: an estimated 34 million Americans provide unpaid care or support to aging or disabled adults in their communities. On average, these caregivers are female, they are around 50 years old, and they provide nearly 25 hours of unpaid care per week. Many of the report’s respondents said they experienced high levels of stress in their lives. Less than half of the respondents described their health as “excellent or very good.”
The impact of providing long-term, unpaid care for family members or loved ones is still being studied. But it is true that many informal caregivers experience stress, depression, poor health, and financial strife.
How can these burdens be eased? For many family caregivers, respite care is a vital resource during the hardest times.
What is Respite Care?
Respite care is simply temporary care you may seek for your senior loved one by a professional caregiver when you need time to rest and recharge. Whether it’s for just several hours or several days per week, a trusted respite care provider can help give tired caregivers some time to unwind, work on personal hobbies, or tend to personal matters.
How Can Respite Care Providers Help?
Many family caregivers are accustomed to providing extensive care for their loved ones. This can include medication reminders, assistance with mobility, and helping with toileting and eating.
Many family caregivers fear that a respite care professional won’t provide the same support and help that they themselves provide. With Visiting Angels, you don’t need to worry. Our respite care services are designed to give you the essential rest you deserve and your loved one with the care they need. Our caregivers can provide assistance with bathing, dressing, ambulation, eating and other personal care needs. Our team members also offer care for individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Visiting Angels will work to match your senior family member with a caregiver who will make them feel comfortable. As you take the time off you need, you can be confident that your family member is receiving the support they require.
Contact us to learn more about Visiting Angels’ respite care services in New Jersey.