Caring for an aging loved one or family member can be a huge full-time responsibility, especially when you have other family, work, and personal obligations. What happens when you need to run important errands, go to the office for a meeting, take a vacation, or need a breather?

If you are one of 40+ million Americans providing unpaid elder care, you understand the issues and challenges of being a primary caregiver. Thankfully, a professional resource is available to assist you.

Respite health care from a reputable home care agency like Visiting Angels Northbrook can lend a helping hand when you cannot be with your senior loved one for a brief time.

What Is Respite Care?

Respite care is short-term or temporary home care service that provides primary caregivers much-needed relief or a break from their duties. Respite care helps families and primary friend or family caregivers who may need to leave briefly to work outside the home, take care of personal tasks, or manage other responsibilities.

Flexibility is one of the most significant benefits of respite care. You can schedule in-home care services for a few hours or overnight to a few days or longer. Professional caregivers can also perform in-home assistance routinely on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis.

You’ll also gain peace of mind knowing your loved one is in capable and experienced hands — even for a short time.

Who Needs Respite Care?

Caregivers who look after loved ones or family members with challenging medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s, chronic illnesses, disabilities, injury recovery, or another illness need respite care. Respite care provides compassionate care for your loved ones, while you take a much-needed break. Depending on the level of care needed, respite care offers temporary relief for caregivers with a home health care provider.

What Are Examples of Respite Care Services?

Visiting Angels knows the positive difference short-term in-home senior care can make. Professional, dedicated caregivers take a flexible approach in planning and scheduling services to ensure you and your loved one receive the best care possible.

In-home respite care from Visiting Angels covers a wide range of services, including companion care and personal care. Some of the most common tasks performed include:

• Assistance with activities of daily living (such as dressing, grooming, and bathing)
• Laundry
• Light housekeeping
• Meal preparation
• Medication reminders

If your loved one requires specialized care, such as Alzheimer's care and dementia care, Visiting Angels professional caregivers with expertise in these areas will provide support.

Visiting Angels respite care can also help reduce your risk of caregiver burnout without compromising the quality of in-home support your loved one receives.

Signs that a Caregiver Needs Respite Care

If you care for a loved one without professional assistance, you may be at high risk of physical and mental exhaustion, often referred to as "caregiver burnout."

Symptoms of caregiver burnout include:

• Feeling irritable, stressed, exhausted, or isolated
• Difficulty sleeping
• Inability to keep appointments or manage responsibilities
• Lack of motivation
• Resentment toward your caregiving duties or your loved one
• Unhealthy coping behaviors, such as drug or alcohol use, overeating, or not eating enough
• Withdrawal from people and activities you used to enjoy

In-home respite care plans can substantially reduce your risk of burnout and make caring for your loved one more manageable. You need to rest and recuperate, and Visiting Angels can provide services while you focus on your well-being. If your daily or weekly caregiving routine has become overwhelming, Visiting Angels can perform regular respite visits to reduce your workload.

Benefits of Respite Care

There are many benefits of respite care for unpaid caregivers, for the person receiving care, and for the family overall.

For Caregivers

Respite care can provide temporary relief for caregivers who need rest or just simply need a break from caregiving. This allows caregivers to have a quality of life without getting burned out.

For the Care Recipient

Patients of respite care benefit from skilled nursing and compassionate care. Respite care also allows them to stay in their home, so they are comfortable and familiar with their surroundings.

For the Family

Respite care gives the family members relief and peace of mind in knowing their loved one is always being cared for in a professional way.

Where Can I Find Trusted Respite Care Services in Northbrook, IL?

Contact Visiting Angels Northbrook to request more information. A Visiting Angels care coordinator will provide a free, no-obligation home care consultation to learn more about your loved one and determine the services needed. The care coordinator will also answer any questions you have about Visiting Angels.

You can contact your local Visiting Angels agency on short notice when home care is needed. A care coordinator can fast-track the planning and scheduling process and will do their best to ensure a caregiver is available for your loved one.

All Visiting Angels caregivers are carefully screened and selected prior to placement. A care coordinator will find the right caregiver for you, whether it’s on a short- or long-term basis.

Contact us to learn more about our services!