Finding family members and close friends to help with your aging loved one’s care could be challenging, which is why you should consider using respite care services. The option allows your loved one to receive high-quality care even when you and your siblings are unavailable. If you’re wondering if there are any disadvantages to respite care, the short answer is “no.” Continue reading to learn about respite care and why it’s an advantage for seniors and family caregivers.
Customized Care
Some aging adults aren’t sick and utilize respite care for companionship and assistance with light household chores, while other seniors’ families encourage their loved ones to take advantage of one-on-one customized care due to an illness or a specific disorder. For instance, if your parent has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s or dementia, you could hire a respite caregiver who specializes in these areas. Having specialized care can increase the effectiveness of treatment. A respite caregiver could also give your family tips that reduce many of the symptoms associated with the condition and make daily life a little easier for everyone.A trained professional caregiver can be an extremely valuable member of your caregiving team. There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to address if their families opt for professional at-home care. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place.
Family Caregiver Breaks
Taking on too much with little help can lead to physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion for family caregivers. However, using respite care services allows you to take necessary breaks from your caregiving duties, whether it’s for a few hours each day or extended periods of time. During this alone time, you can work on personal goals, catch up on rest, go to your children’s activities, visit the doctor, work out at the gym, and more.Family caregivers need to care for their own wellbeing. If you’re caring for an aging loved one and are feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional caregiver to provide respite care. Des Moinesfamilies who want to prevent burnout can turn to Home Care Assistance. One of our professional caregivers can assist your loved one at home while you take a nap, go to work, run errands, or go on vacation.
Maintained Identities
This benefit applies to both seniors and caregivers. Having a respite caregiver come into the home provides separation and balance, even if the caregiver only comes in a few days each week. Older adults and their family caregivers can enjoy activities that matter to them, as opposed to compromising on social outings and daily interests or hobbies. When you and your loved one maintain your own identities, it could strengthen your relationship and lower the risk of tension, resentment, and guilt.
Transportation Services
Getting out of the home and going to the doctor, picking up groceries or prescriptions, and running other errands can be difficult for seniors with vision, memory, and mobility impairment. Their driving abilities diminish due to these issues, making it challenging for them to keep up with crucial appointments. One of the many benefits of respite care is transportation options. A caregiver can drive your loved one to doctor visits and run important errands.
Socialization
Isolation is common for family caregivers because they sacrifice a lot of their free time to care for their loved ones. When this happens, the risk of depression increases significantly. Using respite care gives you time to interact with someone other than your loved one. The option also frees up time to schedule outings with your friends.Socialization is essential for older adults as well because it boosts their brain health and prevents boredom. With respite care, your loved one can receive the companionship and social interaction he or she needs.Although it may be challenging to find reliable, highly rated senior home care, Des Moines, IA, families can turn to Home Care Assistance. Our respite and live-in caregivers are expertly trained to assist seniors with a wide array of important tasks, including cooking, bathing, light housekeeping, and exercise. To learn about our revolutionary in-home care plans, call us at (515) 264-2438 today.
