Respite Care

Taking care of a friend or family member can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be a very exhausting experience for those involved. Some caretakers can feel overwhelmed or drained of energy at times. The purpose of respite care is to give caregivers a much-needed break and re-charge themselves so that they can re-build their lives and restore balance.

Caregivers often run errands, attend to other aspects of their lives, such as keeping their work schedules and attending to their children, or they indulge themselves in other activities they enjoy, such as reading, shopping, exercising, or spending time with friends, while their loved ones receive respite care.

The caregiver can choose to receive respite care for a few hours or a long period of time, depending on the needs of the patient.

Besides identifying in advance when you may require respite, it is equally important to anticipate these occasions in advance so that you can prepare accordingly. When a change in living arrangements occurs, when a person you are caring for moves from a hospital setting to a home health care setting, such as changing from one to the other respite care will help with the transition for you as well as the individual you are caring for.

Family caregivers can regain some balance in their lives through respite care. The flexibility it allows caregivers gives them the opportunity to take the time to recover from the stresses of caregiving while giving them the time to attend to other important aspects of their lives. A caregiver's success is dependent on the use of respite care as a supportive tool.

 

What Is Respite Care?

Caregivers who need a short-term break can take respite care. This is also known as respite care. Taking care of sick or disabled people is a 24-hour job. Taking care of your needs is important from time to time. In this case, respite care may be helpful.

There is no set length for the breaks, so you can take as long or as short as you like. It is possible to arrange respite care for a few hours, a day, a few days, or a few weeks.

 

When your loved one needs respite care, respite care offers a safe and warm companion to rely on while you are away. Our respite care companions can sit and talk with someone who’s disabled or ill. They may also help your loved one:

• Bathe
• Dress
• Eat or drink
• Take medications
• Exercise
• Enjoy the outdoors
• Get in and out of bed

 It may be difficult for an elderly or ill person to feel isolated if they spend a lot of time at home. This may also be the case for caregivers. A respite care companion can offer you both a welcome break.

  

Why do caregivers need respite care?

There is no doubt that respite care is crucial for the overall well-being of caregivers, because without it they are likely to experience feelings of extreme stress, which include feelings of anger and resentment towards the person in their care or other relatives and friends that they know.

When caregivers receive respite care, they often feel more relaxed, refreshed, and rested as a result. A caregiver who feels less stressed is in a better position to deal with their caregiving tasks with a more positive attitude and an enhanced patience, thereby improving their relationship with their loved one.

There is no doubt that besides all the benefits of receiving respite care, there is also several challenges you need to be aware of as well. In some cases, it can be difficult for caregivers to let go of the person for whom they are responsible, particularly if they are not used to doing such things. There may be times when caregivers may feel guilty, worried, or as if they are losing control, making them unable to seek the respite care that they need.

As a caregiver, the best way to reduce at least some of the concerns discussed above is for caregivers to ensure that the individual receiving care, as well as the respite care provider, are prepared by doing the following:

• Make sure that everyone who will be providing care to the person you are caring for is completely informed
• It is also important to provide an organized and detailed agenda, as well as current emergency contact information for all participants
• Keeping current instructions regarding diet, personal care, likes and dislikes, and emergency procedures in case of an emergency, including instructions for emergency assistance

Here at Home Care I Trust, we are committed to assisting individuals of all ages, those with disabilities, and those suffering from acute health conditions to live a fulfilling life at home by assisting them in the search for the right professionals. Our goal is to provide the highest quality of service to our clients and to refer them to a caregiver who is responsible, understanding, dependable, and always respectful You will be able to maintain your independence for as long as possible while receiving the care you need in the privacy and comfort of your own home.

To get started on the road to beginning in-home care for your loved one we will ask a few simple questions regarding your location and your loved one's care needs. Home Care I Trust will then provide you with a list of top-quality, locally based providers in your area at no cost to you.