Respite care provides family caregivers with a temporary break from their caregiver role.
Taking care of a disabled or sick loved one can be overwhelming and exhausting if they need assistance that requires 24-hour care, they are at high risk for accidental falls, they are dependent on the family caregiver with their daily activities at home, and they have a certain disease that affects their memory, thinking, behavior, and social skills like Alzheimer’s disease.
Family caregivers need to take care of their own well-being to avoid caregiver burnout. They need to be physically and mentally fit when taking care of their loved one who depends on them for a lot of things. Lack of rest for example can have a negative effect on both physical and mental health so it’s important for the caregiver to get the proper rest they need. Some need their loved ones on respite care to relax and some need it to take care of other important stuff outside the home.
Respite care can be arranged for a few hours a day or a few days in a week depending on how short or how long the primary caregiver needs it.
Finding the right caregiver is important for a loved one while they are on respite care to ensure they are comfortable and safe at home. Make a list of what a loved one needs help with at home when discussing the level of care and services you’ll need from a home care provider. If they are bedbound, need help with mobility, personal care, and if you want to include basic exercise, housekeeping, meal preparation, and feeding to the care plan.
Read: How To Find The Right Home Care Provider For Your Loved One or check out the home care services available for you.