Respite care is vital for caregivers. It’s very important that caregivers don’t overwhelm or overwork themselves, and respite care is exactly what it sounds like—a way for those who spend their lives caring for elderly loved ones to have help and get time for themselves. Here’s why it’s so important for caregivers to have access to respite care.
Provides Time to Remember Who You Are
When you spend all your time worrying about and taking care of someone, it can be very draining. Caregivers may lose track of their own needs and forget to take care of themselves with exercise, a healthy diet, socializing with friends, and enjoying hobbies. Opting for respite care can go a long way toward giving you a bit of time for yourself again.
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 manage if their families opt for professional homecare services. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place.
2. Boosts Your Own Health
Caregivers tend to get ill or injured more often than their non-caregiver counterparts, and being so busy caring for others means when illnesses or injuries do occur, they tend to be ignored until they become more serious. Scheduled respite time gives you something to look forward to, which reduces stress and allows time for self-care, including preventative medical appointments and health checkups.
3. Boosts Your Senior Loved One’s Health
Spending time with another caregiver is also a good idea for the person you’re caring for. First of all, it might just be nice to see someone different and have someone new to talk to, but it also gives your loved one an opportunity to get familiar with someone else so it’ll be less stressful if you decide to take a vacation or a family emergency requires you to take extended time away from your caregiving duties.
Although it may be challenging to find reliable, highly rated senior home care, Carmichael, CA 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.
4. Gives You Time to Reenergize
Being a caregiver can be draining and stressful. Having scheduled time off gives you time to charge your emotional and physical batteries.
5. Provides an Opportunity for Social Interaction
While there are many emotional benefits to being a caregiver, it can also be lonely and isolating, particularly if your loved one isn’t able to communicate much. Respite care allows you time to build friendships and relationships outside of caregiving.
6. Allows Time for Rest
You may work extremely long hours at work and then come home to care for your loved one without getting much rest. Respite care allows you time to get some sleep, put your feet up and get lost in a good book, or do whatever else helps you relax.
7. Gives You Space to Think
Sometimes in the midst of a challenging situation, it’s difficult to process everything that’s happening and focus on a plan for the future. Having respite care gives you time to think about things and get perspective.
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. Carmichael families 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. Home Care Assistance can be your trusted partner when your loved one needs help with the challenges of aging. For reliable in-home respite care services, contact us at (916) 485-4663 today.