Family caregivers often believe that they’re responsible for being there for their aging family member every second of every day, with no rest other than sleeping when they can. This is a harmful belief because it is physically and emotionally draining for family caregivers. Respite care is an option, and it’s one that you should consider using regularly. Here’s what you need to know if you’re new to respite care.
What Is Respite Care For?
Family caregivers often overlook respite care, but it’s a vital part of caregiving. Respite time offers you a chance to take time for yourself that you might not have been able to take otherwise. Just because you want to be there for your elderly family member, that doesn’t mean that your life and your needs go away. Sometimes you need to be able to take care of yourself, and working with home care providers allows you that opportunity.
Keep Your Senior Involved in Talks about Respite Care
It’s always important to keep your senior involved in everything about caregiving, including respite time. The more your senior understands what’s happening and why the easier it is for her to adapt to new situations. Talk to your aging family member about your respite time plans. If you can make this something that is part of her regular weekly schedule, that’s even better for both of you.
Assess Why You Need Respite Time
For yourself, it’s essential to think about why you need respite time and how you can make the most of that time. Bringing in elder care providers ensures that your senior has caregivers there to meet her needs when you’re gone. That one fact can help you to utilize respite time most efficiently fully. If any other variables affect your ability to take this time for yourself, it’s essential to address them as quickly as possible.
Get Organized about Respite Care
One way to ensure you’re maximizing respite time is to get as organized as possible. Make sure to mark respite time in your calendar as an appointment with yourself so that you don’t forget that time is set aside. Make sure that home care providers and seniors have everything they might need while you’re gone.
Don’t Feel Guilty about Taking Time Away.
The biggest reason many family caregivers avoid respite time is that they feel guilty about taking care of themselves. If that’s something you’re experiencing, it’s important to address why you’re feeling guilty and work through those feelings. Taking care of yourself is not bad, and it can help you be more present for your senior when you’re there with her.
Understanding why respite care is such a positive experience for you and your senior can help you get the most out of having that support regularly.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Respite Care in Westmont, IL, please contact the caring staff at Suburban Home Care today. 630-964-9000
There are several great reasons why Suburban Home Care® should be your choice for quality homecare. All of our Certified Nursing Assistants and Home Health Aides are screened, trained, bonded and insured.
Every family needs to be aware that almost every Homeowner’s insurance policy specifically excludes anyone working within your home. If the person you hire becomes injured while working for you, you will become personally responsible for all of their medical bills. This has left several families very vulnerable when their caregiver injured themselves at their home.
The potential to lose everything you have worked so hard to achieve seems an unnecessary risk. Every one of Suburban Home Care®’s employees are completely covered by insurance so you and your loved ones can relax knowing that if something unforeseen happens to your caregiver, they are completely covered by insurance.
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