Respite care is an invaluable service for caregivers who need a short-term break from their duties of caring for their loved ones. Regardless of if you set up the respite care for a few hours, a few days, or even a week, this type of service can deliver immense relief and support so that you can focus on your personal needs. Here are just a few ways that quality respite can provide support and how you can find the right fit for your family.
Provides Basic Support to Patient:
A good respite care provider will deliver a host of basic support services to patients. Trained professionals are able to bathe the patient, help them in and out of bed, ensure that they get proper exercise, help in feeding, and administer any necessary medications. Some providers may also be willing to help with basic chores around the home such as laundry and cleaning. You may also be able to use your respite care provider to help with meal preparation, making your life less complicated so that you can focus on what truly matters.
Support in a Variety of Situations:
Respite care encompasses a wide array of services in varying types of locations. According to TLC Caregivers, a provider of respite services in Pensacola, FL, you can choose from personal care in the privacy of your own home, an adult day care facility that facilitates social interaction between the patients, or a healthcare facility designed to provide top-notch medical care. It could be that you only need a friendly professional to provide companionship for the patient. The level of care that you desire largely dictates what type of situation is right for you and your loved one.
Gives Patient Social Interaction Opportunities:
Despite your best intentions to be everything to your loved one, you may not realize that they need a variety of social interactions to thrive. A respite care situation can provide a host of meaningful social opportunities so that the patient will continue to feel engaged and involved. Leveraging the benefits of a group respite care can be especially beneficial if stimulating social interactions is one of your primary goals. These facilities are engineered to facilitate interaction between patients so that everyone feels fulfilled after spending time at the center. Visiting a few facilities in advance will help you to discern which one is the best fit for your loved one. You will be surprised at how much the patient thrives after spending time with a variety of new faces in a different environment.
You Deserve a Break:
Providing care around the clock for a loved one is not an easy task. It is understandable to want and need a break so that you can take care of your own needs. Regardless if you need time to run errands or simply get away for some self-care, you will find that having time to yourself provides much-needed relaxation and rejuvenation. It is also important to make time for your own social engagements so that you do not get bogged down in the daily routines of caring for somebody else. Leaning on respite care to fill in the gaps will make you a better caregiver when you return.
Questions to Ask:
Finding a respite care provider is not a decision to take lightly. Start with basic questions including what kind of care they provide and if it is primarily in-home or if there are group setting opportunities. You also need to get detailed specifics about the pricing structure so that you know exactly what you are committing to pay. Make sure that you understand what type of special training or certifications that each caregiver has. You will feel much more comfortable in leaving your loved one in somebody else’s care if you have thoroughly vetted the caregiver.
A respite care professional understands that providing 24/7 care for a loved one can be exhausting. You should not feel guilty for needing to take a break in order to care for yourself. In addition, the patient will greatly benefit from the opportunity to interact with a different voice. This makes respite care a winning situation for everyone involved.
