Respite care, also known as caregiver support, is a short-term service designed to provide relief for primary caregivers. Caregiving is often a full-time job! Respite care allows caregivers to take the personal time they need to manage their lives and find time for themselves.
Primary caregivers are super heroes that often work 24/7 to balance their personal life with caregiving duties. Managing multiple households can be overwhelming, making it difficult to find time to relax or take care of yourself. Respite services are the ideal solution to help you manage time and stress.
“There are only four kinds of people in the world: Those who have been caregivers. Those who are currently caregivers. Those who will be caregivers, and those who will need a caregiver.”
Unlike home healthcare, respite care often involves temporary, non-medical care designed to provide relief to an existing caregiving schedule. These services are ideal for caregivers that need time to manage personal or professional needs, they can even help you plan a vacation. These care workers provide hands-on services while also providing understanding and support.
Help with Caregiving Responsibilities
Respite services are intended to help prolong independence as long as possible. By providing additional assistance with common responsibilities, caregivers reduce the stress and worry that leads to burnout. Here are a few common services you can expect:
Bathing and hygiene
Dressing and getting in/out bed
Cooking/feeding
Medication management
Exercise and outdoors recreation
Minor cleaning and tidying
Running errands/taking to appointments
Empathy, Understanding, and Resources
Caregiving is a unique experience that offers rewards and responsibilities that not everyone can easily understand. In additional to the physical requirements, caregivers are particularly vulnerable to social isolation due to difficult schedules and lack of understanding from others. Respite care workers know the ins-and-out of these experiences; they understand the feelings around your lifestyle. As you choose your respite care provider, you'll often find that they are an important source of emotional support. They are also caregivers: there to listen, help, care, and understand.
If you're a caregiver or you have a caregiver in need of relief, we're here to help right away! Contact us today to tell about your life and your plans, we work closely with caregivers to tailor services to fit their needs.