Do You Need a Break? Consider Respite Care
Caregiving can certainly take its toll on anyone. Being a family caregiver to an aging loved one can be especially challenging. It’s difficult to balance the needs of your aging loved one with the needs of your immediate family and personal or professional obligations. Most family caregivers
aren’t paid and often do not take time for themselves. In fact, according to the Family Caregiver Alliance, approximately 34.2 million Americans have provided unpaid care to an adult age 50 or older in the last year. While there are many positive benefits to providing care for an aging loved one, there are negative consequences when the family caregiver does not receive the assistance that they need in order to continue providing care for their loved one. The family caregiver can easily become burned out, which can lead to strained relationships, unnecessary stress, and even depression. If you are a family caregiver and are finding yourself in a position where you are exhausted, give yourself a break by considering respite care. What is Respite Care?
Respite care provides short-term relief for family caregivers. Unlike long-term care, it is meant to be a temporary solution to give the primary caregiver a much-deserved break. Respite care can be provided in your aging loved one’s home, at a healthcare facility such as a nursing home, or at an adult day center.
Why Should I Step Away?
While providing care for your aging loved one is extremely rewarding, it is also exhausting and emotionally draining. It is important that the family caregiver takes care of themselves to continue to be able to provide care for their aging loved one. A caregiver cannot take care of someone else if they are constantly exhausted or become ill. Stepping away allows the family caregiver to recharge, which in turn allows them to provide better care through the long haul.
What are My Options?
As mentioned above, respite care can be provided in the home, at a healthcare facility, or at an adult day center. To choose the right option, evaluate your own needs. Do you need a few hours a week to yourself so that you can run a few errands or go out to lunch with a friend? If so, then consider in-home respite care. Do you need a weekend getaway or week-long vacation to recharge? If this is you, then consider arranging a respite stay at a healthcare facility. Would you benefit from an entire day off from caregiving a couple times a week? If this appeals to you, then investigate adult day centers near you. Knowing what you need to recharge and prevent future caregiver burnout allows you to select the best option for respite care.
At Visiting Angels Richmond, we believe that family caregivers deserve a break. It is exhausting being the primary caregiver, especially when you are caring for an aging loved one and your own immediate family. If you’re feeling burnt out, allow our Angels to give you the respite that you need. We offer respite care on an hourly basis so that you can establish the frequency and scope of care that best meets your needs. Because our home care services are flexible, should your loved one require more care in the future, we can expand our role to include companion care, personal care, or even care for dementia. We can establish a relationship with your loved one so that should you take week-long vacation, we can visit with your loved one in a healthcare facility respite setting. Getting started is easy. Simply contact us so that we can learn more about your situation.