Caregiving

When to Use Respite Care

This blog post will define respite care, look at the benefits of respite care, and suggest the best times to use respite care for your loved one.

Most family caregivers find taking care of a loved one to be very rewarding and fulfilling. But caregiving can become a 24/7 job and can start to feel emotionally and physically draining. That’s when it’s a good time to consider respite care. This blog post will define respite care, look at the benefits of respite care, and suggest the best times to use respite care for your loved one.

What Is Respite Care?

Respite care allows you to take a much-needed break to recharge and tend to other important matters. Plus, choosing respite care at a senior living community like those managed by Oaks Senior Living gives your loved one the opportunity to socialize with people their own age while enjoying a wide variety of engaging and stimulating activities. Respite care services often include:

  • Help with activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, grooming and getting dressed
  • Meal prep and assistance with eating and drinking
  • Medication management
  • Basic medical assistance
  • Transportation
  • Companionship

Benefits of Respite Care

It can be hard to think about having someone else care for your loved one. But it’s perfectly natural to need a break. No one works around the clock, day after day, without taking some time to themselves. Time off is vital to your health, well-being, and the care you’re able to provide. Respite care can allow you to:

  • Recharge: Having a reliable, trustworthy caregiving resource that can handle all your loved one’s personal care needs allows you to tend to other important matters.
  • Relax: By placing your loved one with a qualified retirement community, you don’t need to worry about whether or not their care needs are being met.
  • Reconnect: Socialize with your friends and family members to nurture your relationships.
  • Review: If you’re considering an assisted living community or other long-term care options for your family member, respite care provides a way to evaluate your senior living options and see how your loved one feels about it. If you decide to move them to another care setting, you’ll be more informed.
  • Revive: It’s important for you to maintain your sense of self by spending time following your interests outside of the caregiving role.

Time off is vital to your health, well-being, and the care you’re able to provide.

Best Times to Use Respite Care

Even if your loved one has a good support network of caregivers, there are certain situations when a stay in respite care could help them and you. Here are some of the best times to consider respite care:

  • Recovering from an accident or injury: After an accident or injury, your loved one may be afraid of returning home too soon. Respite care could provide just enough help to allow your loved one to more fully recuperate and rehabilitate before going home.
  • Post-hospital care: If your loved one has lost strength due to an extended hospital stay or just needs more time to rest and relax, respite care can help. It can also give you the opportunity to prepare for your loved one’s return home by lining up healthcare services or stocking up on groceries.
  • Short-term rehabilitation: Respite care provides a safe setting for seniors recuperating after a hip or knee replacement, without the hazards and temptations of your loved one trying to do too much when recovering at home.
  • A break for caregivers: If your loved one needs round-the-clock assistance, but you need time away to work, prepare for the holidays, or simply to recharge your batteries, respite care provides a safe and supportive option.

Respite Care at Oaks Senior Living

To learn more about our senior care services — including our respite care — contact us here.

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in how to partner with us, or have management questions—please contact us today.