Monday, January 27, 2014

Why Caregivers Need Respite Care!

Every day, people who take care of their aging loved one’s face many challenges and difficulties. Being a caregiver is a demanding job, and no one person is strong enough or prepared enough to handle it alone. Because your health is important to you and for your loved one’s well-being, you should get good help when you need it. The essence of good respite care, like the care you can get at companies such as Synergy Home Care, is to give you the break you need to restore your energy, enhance your sense of balance and relieve stress. 

Because it can be challenging to take care of a senior loved one, you can choose from many respite care options available to give you the assistance you might need. This helps to restore your energy and allows you to be a responsible caregiver for your senior loved one. The principles of respite care are all the same, which is to ease the burden of caregiving with someone else and have some time for you. 

Respite care starts with the realization of your needs and your loved ones needs. Knowing your needs for frequency, type, skills and location of the respite care is important so that you get the proper respite. Consider what you need the most. Is it regular time off? Is it the need for help with transportation? Make a list of your daily activities, and write down the times and places you need assistance most. 

Your loved one’s needs, preferences and abilities are important as well. Does your loved one need assistance with walking, eating or taking medications? Is it socializing that your loved one needs most? Does he or she need physical or mental exercise? When you know the needs, you can find the right option for respite care. 

Adult respite day care centers are intended for elderly adults who can’t live independently or are isolated and lonely. The environment is cheerful, safe and supportive. Adult day centers have several planned activities to promote your loved one’s well-being. In most cases, there is a schedule for nutritious meals, and they do accommodate special diets. 

If you have a loved one who you take care of around the clock, respite care might be the perfect solution for you. 



7 comments:

CarpeVITA Home Care said...

Yes, respite care is a necessary service for those who are caring for a loved one. You can't be what you need to be for that person if you are not giving yourself what you need. Respite care helps caregivers be the best caregivers they can be. Here are some tips for determining if you are experiencing caregiver burnout: http://carpevitahomecare.com/how-to-prevent-eldercare-caregiver-burnout/

Unknown said...

I agree that caregivers should take some time away for a break. When my sister had her first serious instance of MS my mother was taking care of her constantly, which was difficult because my other siblings were still young and also needed their mom to help them. She ended up hiring someone to help out for a little while so that she could have a little bit of a break, which helped a lot!
Claudia Rosenburg | http://www.handlewcare.com/?main_action=content&page_id=3

Unknown said...

I've been thinking of getting a caregiver service to help my grandmother. She's been needing help for a while. She's almost a hundred now.
-Seamus | http://www.handlewcare.com/?main_action=content&page_id=3

Unknown said...

I completely agree, thanks. I've watched it too many times in my own family-- even when the elderly or ailing person is a loved member of the family, stress and overwork can make people say and do things they'll regret. Usually, just taking a break can save a lot of angry words. It's just the stress talking, not the individual.

Jenn | http://www.handlewcare.com

Unknown said...

Thanks for your comment, Claudia. I hope all caregivers recognize the need to be good to themselves so they can continue to be good to their ill loved ones. If they burn out, they'll be unable to help anyone.

Unknown said...

Affordable home care
Well done! I am gratified that you have shared this important news with me. Thanks!

Unknown said...

Respite care was the perfect solution for our family. We didn't want to put my great uncle in a home, but taking care of him on our was more than we could handle. The respite care gave us the solution we needed. I support it wholeheartedly.

http://stjosephsministries.org/services/respitecare