If you are looking into respite care for your loved one, you are not alone. As many as 65 million Americans in the US are caring for an elderly or sick relative right now.
Looking after a loved one can be rewarding but also emotionally and physically exhausting. You don’t need to feel as if this is a situation to have to deal with on your own.
In this article, we will explain the 7 major benefits of respite care for you as well as the person you’re caring for. Read on to get the information and help you are looking for.
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Reduces Stress for the Care Giver
If you are caring for an individual that has complex needs or needs round the clock care, this can be a highly pressurized and stressful environment. The caregivers can experience high levels of stress and anxiety, leading to them developing things such as depression and feelings of being overwhelmed.
Respite care allows the caregiver a bit of time away from their responsibilities as a carer, meaning they can have time to relax and keep things such as social engagements. This reduces stress levels for the caregiver, giving them the space to focus on their own needs and energy levels.
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Stops Things Such as Chronic Exhaustion
When you are looking after someone constantly, it can really begin to take a toll on the caregiver. This is especially the case if you are looking after someone who has a disrupted sleep pattern or isn’t able to look after themselves.
This can lead to the caregiver not getting enough rest or sleep which can cause chronic exhaustion. This means that you might feel irritable and extreme tiredness in the day, which can be incredibly difficult to deal with.
It’s important you are able to get a proper night’s sleep and rest in order to care for your loved ones. This is why respite care can be a good alternative or addition to your caregiver’s schedule.
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Allows a Change of Pace for Your Loved One
If you are predominately at home all day with the person you are caring for, they might not have a lot of opportunities to socialize with other people. Keeping active and social is a great way for them to remain in good spirits and feel happy and engaged.
Respite care enables your loved one time away from the house, with new people and the opportunity to interact with them. It can offer them the time to do fun activities with other members and the staff at the respite facility.
They can also look forward to that time away, giving them a break in their own schedule and allowing them to get excited about it.
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They are Surrounded by Trained Professionals
By accessing and using respite care, you can be reassured that your loved one is in safe hands and people who know exactly how to attend to their needs.
It means you don’t need to worry about them whilst they are away because the facility is well equipped and has trained professionals on hand to deal with any situation.
This enables you to focus on your own respite time, knowing that your loved one is protected and will be around qualified staff with all the equipment they might need.
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Allows You to Focus on Your Own Family and Friends
Caregiving can be a relentless and often all-consuming job. This might mean that you are having to neglect your own family or friends as you provide support to one individual.
With respite care, it allows you to recentre your focus and give time and energy to your significant other or children. They might feel as if a lot of your time is taken up by your caregiving role and will want to spend some quality time with you.
It’s important to carve out time for the other people in your life as they will be able to offer support and a reprieve from your caregiving role.
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Gives the Caregiver Time to Recharge
It’s entirely normal to feel completely exhausted in a caregiver role. You should never feel guilty that you are in need of a break or time away from the person you are caring for.
Giving yourself a breakthrough respite care is a great way to recharge your batteries and give yourself time to feel refreshed. This allows the caregiver to return to their role with a new sense of purpose and vitality.
Looking after a person for too long with a real break can often lead to feelings of resentment or unintentional neglect. This is because the caregiver is exhausted and cannot keep up with the demands.
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Can Help with a Transition
Respite care might be the first step in a process for your loved one to transition to an assisted living facility or a care home. It means that they are able to get a taste of what the program involves and whether it will suit them.
It makes sure that if they are going to move into an assisted living facility, it isn’t a shock to the system. It allows a gradual process, taking into consideration everyone’s feelings and needs whilst not being too overwhelming for any of the parties concerned.
Respite Care: Where Can I Find Out More?
We hope this article on the 7 benefits of respite care for yourself and the person you are caring for has been helpful and informative.
When thinking about how to take care of a loved one, it’s important that you access all the support you have on offer. Don’t feel this is ever something you have to do alone.
Caregiving often means you are so focused on another person’s needs that you forget about your own. Take that little bit of time back for yourself and make yourself a priority for a change.
If you found this article useful, why not check out our previous blogposts.
Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash
Author: Mandy Kloppers
Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.
