Choosing Respite Care to Assist Family Caregivers

Fulfilling the care needs of an older or disabled loved one is a physically, psychologically, and emotionally strenuous task, and it’s crucial for family caregivers to take time away to rest and relax. Choosing respite care is a way to find relief from the daily duties of caregiving, allowing family caregivers to also care for themselves. These services offer relief from day-to-day, ongoing care tasks, ensuring older adults still get the care they need and deserve. Respite care supplies family caregivers with care that is planned, temporary, intermittent and substitute. It can be provided from part of one day to regularly scheduled routine relief.

How you can help a family caregiver you love:

• Offer to share caregiving responsibilities. Even if you are only available to help out once in a while, it shows the family caregiver that you care about his or her wellness.
• Offer to provide support with the family caregiver's personal chores. Family caregivers have lives of their own, and taking time to manage their own laundry, grocery shopping, and housecleaning chores can be a challenge.
• Pitch in to hire respite care services from a professional home care agency, like Complete Care at Home. Often, family members who live at a distance want to contribute to a loved one's care. Helping to pay for respite care services helps not only the senior, but the family caregiver too.

How family caregivers can find needed support:

• Ask for help. Other family members may want to help with caregiving, but are unsure what help is needed. Include them in the respite care plan so you can easily take time off when needed.
• When family members are not available, discuss choosing respite care with a home care agency, like Complete Care at Home. Professional caregivers can help family care providers take the time away they need while providing quality care for their older loved ones.
• Talk to your senior loved one. Changing up the daily routine, such as bringing in a new caregiver, can be upsetting for the senior, so take the following steps to alleviate any concerns:
  • Make sure you have a respite care plan ready to go in advance.
  • Remind the senior regularly that your break is coming up and someone will be coming to provide care
  • Introduce the older adult to the new caregiver if he or she is not another family member.
• Stick to your plan. Taking time away from caregiving is essential to your wellness. Make sure that all who are involved in your respite care plan are on the same page so you can take time for your own self-care.

The bottom line is, no one person can do everything alone, and there is skilled and compassionate help available through Complete Care at Home's home care team! Contact us online or call us at (805) 727-3445 to learn about our in-home respite care services and dementia care in Santa Barbara and the surrounding areas.