Whether it is your dear mom or dad, aging grandparent, or other relative or close friend, seeing a loved one get to a point when they need constant care and supervision can be heart wrenching, but it can also be stressful. If you are like most, when a loved one reaches the golden years and needs daily assistance, you will feel a sense of responsibility to see to it that their needs are met, which often means you become a consistent caregiver. You may happily provide whatever care you can, but there will be times when you need help, and this is what respite care is all about. Here is a closer look at a few of the most common questions about respite care for senior citizens.
What exactly is respite care?
Respite care is a short-term senior care service designed specifically to give primary caregivers the occasional break that they need, either due to being overwhelmed or needing time for other things. Respite care may be offered by an individual caregiver who will come in and stay with your loved one, but it is also offered at respite care facilities where you can take your loved one to the facility for short-term stays.
How long can respite care last?
Respite care programs are designed to be short-term solutions, and every facility or respite care professional will have their own guidelines in place. For the most part, respite caregivers that come to your home to stay with the loved one will offer shorter term care, such as a day or two at a time or for possibly a weekend. Respite care facilities tend to offer longer timeframes for visiting residents. For example, if you are going away on business or need a vacation, a respite care facility can usually take care of your loved one for a few weeks or so at a time.
How can you make your loved one feel better about respite care?
Respite care usually goes over with a senior much better than what a nursing home would because it is only a temporary thing. However, if your loved one is showing some resentment or apprehension about being left in someone else's care, there are a few things you can do to help. For one, get them involved in the decision-making process by allowing them to help you find the right person or place for respite care in your area. If you are taking your loved one to a respite care facility, take them for a visit or tour before you actually leave them there for care.
Share27 October 2016
My name is Katie Langer. For a long time, I was bed ridden and I felt like I had no control over my life. I simply went along with what was instructed by my doctor and I didn't ask questions. It wasn't that my doctor wasn't willing to work with me, but I preferred to simply not think about the illness I was suffering from. I didn't realize that some of the symptoms I was suffering from were side effects of my medication and were not normal. After communicating more with my doctor, I was able to alleviate my symptoms. Since then, I've taken an interest in patient-doctor relationships and how to improve them.
