Being a family caregiver is a complicated job and it takes a lot of time and energy. If family caregivers aren’t paying close enough attention to taking care of their own needs, their stress levels continue to grow and they can quickly become overwhelmed. An easy answer involves respite care, which allows family caregivers to safely take the time they need to take care of themselves.
What Is Respite Care?
Lots of family caregivers haven’t heard about respite care and aren’t sure what it involves. With this type of care, family caregivers are able to take a break because professional caregivers step in for a short period of time. Home care providers offer assistance to seniors, help with all sorts of tasks, and family caregivers are able to take a full break because they know that their family members are in good hands.
Why Choose Respite Services?
Respite services are offered by professional caregivers. There is no need to worry that elder care providers won’t be able to handle whatever seniors need while family caregivers are away for a short time. Family caregivers absolutely need to be able to take time away so that they can rest, take care of their own needs, and return to caregiving with a fresh state of mind.
Long-term Benefits of Respite Time
The short-term benefits of respite time involve family caregivers having some space to breathe and relax. The long-term benefits might not be as obvious, though. Family caregivers who regularly take respite time are more likely to have better health outcomes because they’re paying attention to what they need. They’re also more likely to have their stress levels under better control. Family caregivers who take respite time understand more about delegating care tasks and are in a better position to get bigger help when they need it most.
When Is Respite an Option?
Once family caregivers learn more about respite care, they might mistakenly believe that it’s only there for certain situations. The truth is that families can take advantage of respite care at any point in the caregiving journey. Seniors may not need a lot of hands-on help, for instance, but family caregivers may worry about leaving them alone for too long. Respite caregivers can be there for them.
Keeping Up with Respite Needs
What does it mean to keep up with respite needs? The reality is that respite isn’t a one-and-done situation for anyone. Family caregivers consistently need to take time away. Scheduling respite time allows family caregivers to keep up with their own need for rest and relaxation. As family caregivers experience more of the benefits of taking this time away, they may find it easier to set up a consistent schedule for themselves.
Sometimes families find that it’s odd or unusual to take advantage of respite care at first. But seniors may start to realize that respite time does great things for them as well as for family caregivers, which makes it easier for the entire family to get into the routine of taking respite on a regular basis.
If you or an aging loved one are considering respite care in Portsmouth, NH, please contact the caring staff at Assisting Hands Home Care – Seacoast NH today! 603-824-8200
Assisting Hands Home Care – Seacoast NH provides exceptional home care in Portsmouth, Rye, New Castle, North Hampton, Hampton, Stratham, Exeter, Durham, Dover, Seabrook, Greenland, Rochester, Hampton Falls and surrounding areas.
