What Are the Benefits of Respite Care?
When you think about senior living for your aging parents, you probably imagine a long-term living situation in an apartment, condo or other senior residence. But that’s not a solution that fits every family – and if you’re a committed caregiver who wants to keep your loved one close to home, it may not be the right solution for yours.
Still, being a caregiver can be difficult. In many ways, it’s a much more challenging job than most of us face in our day-to-day. Fortunately, there’s a way to get your parent or other aging loved one the care they need while giving you the extra freedom you deserve – respite care. In this article, we’ll discuss caregiver burnout, warning signs to watch for and the ways respite care can help your family.
Understanding Caregiver Burnout
Anyone who regularly fulfills the duty of caring for their loved one has felt some kind of caregiver burnout. While you may feel guilty about being frustrated, exhausted and overwhelmed, it’s important to understand that these feelings are common – even for full-time, professional caregivers. When you add in the common things that most adults have to deal with – like raising a family, meeting financial obligations and working a full-time job – it’s no wonder that you’re tired!
Do you think you might be experiencing caregiver burnout? Here are a few warning signs to watch for:
- You’re more exhausted than usual. It sounds pretty obvious – but many people convince themselves to simply push through exhaustion out of a sense of obligation. Here’s the thing: That’s not sustainable! Sacrificing your own sleep schedule for your loved one can be dangerous and counterproductive.
- You’re getting sick more often. Stress and lack of sleep can take a serious toll on your health – opening you up to increased odds of getting sick. Clearly, that’s bad enough – but if you’re sick, your loved one might get sick, too.
- You feel like your needs are being neglected. Much the same as the first point, your emotional and mental health matters. If you don’t have the time to relax and unwind, you won’t be happy – and your loved one will notice. Remember, your loved one loves you, too.
- You’re missing out on your own life. You have every right to live your life. The feelings of guilt often experienced by caregivers comes from the fact that when you aren’t caring for your loved one, you feel like you’re shirking your obligation – but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Nobody can work all day, every day, without taking a break.
Sound familiar? Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to make caregiver burnout a thing of the past. Try sharing duties with your siblings, cousins, spouse or other loved one who cares for the older adult in your life. If that doesn’t work, you can look to the support of respite care.
How Respite Care Can Help
Respite care – also commonly known as short-stay elder care or adult day care – gives you the latitude to do the things you want and need to do. Whether you’re going to jury duty or going on vacation, you can rely on respite care to provide the qualified, compassionate support that your loved one needs.
How does it work? It’s pretty simple. Simply contact a senior living community that offers respite care or adult day care, give them your information and set a time to have a personal consultation. In these times, it’s likely that there will be a health pre-screening – both to ensure the safety of current residents and to assess your loved one’s unique care needs. Typically, respite care will address a similar set of needs to long-term assisted living or memory care – but respite offerings can vary widely.
Remember, respite care is always available if you need to take a break. It gives the whole family real peace of mind – but the perks of respite care aren’t just enjoyed by the senior’s family members. When an older adult enters a respite care center, it can actually be a great chance for them to rest and recuperate, enjoy a community full of thoughtful amenities, and engage with peers in their age group.
See the Difference Oakley Courts Can Make
Feeling overwhelmed? Choosing the right place for respite care makes all the difference – and when you choose Oakley Courts, you’ll find a supportive, comforting, inviting and open environment that will help your loved one feel right at home. But that’s not all. Thanks to our personalized assisted living and memory care services, your loved one and your whole family can benefit from the lasting peace of mind that comes with reliable, top-quality senior care. You’ll live with less worry, knowing that they’re watched over and taken care of by a 24/7 staff.
There’s a whole lot more to share about our community in Freeport, Illinois. Reach out for more information about Oakley Courts today.