Benefits of Respite Care to Caregivers and Their Loved Ones

Family caregivers and their senior loved ones can benefit from respite care in many ways. For starters, respite care gives caregivers a much-needed break from their routine duties and activities, which can be exhausting. There are about 16 million Americans who provide unpaid care for seniors with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.

Understanding Respite Care

First, it is important to understand what respite care is. It is a service that supports family caregivers by offering temporary in-home care to their loved ones. It is important for family caregivers to take some time out so that they can rest and recharge. Respite care makes it possible by stepping in and filling the shoes of family caregivers when they take a break.

Here are the benefits of respite care to caregivers and their loved ones.

Help Reduce the Stress That Comes With Caregiving

Offering senior care is not a walk in the park, even when you love your patient to the bone. Studies have shown that family members who are the primary caregivers of their loved ones are at a higher risk of suffering from stress-related diseases like depression. Offering elder care to a family member who needs assisted living can take a toll on your physical, emotional, and social well-being as the primary caregiver.

Some experts even refer to primary caregivers as the second victims, given how much they have to sacrifice to offer home care for their loved ones. When you work with respite care services, you can take more frequent breaks from caregiving. This will allow you to do more fun things, such as going out for a date, or attending seminars, and workshops. Your social life won’t have to take a backseat when providing home care for your senior relative. Therefore, you will be at no risk of contracting stress-related diseases that are partly triggered by social isolation.

Chance of Forming New Relationships

A change is as good as a rest. Having a new caregiver come in and take care of your elder relative every now and then will spice up the dynamics of your relationship. On one hand, you will be glad to know another person who shares the same value as you do — caregiving. On the other hand, your senior relative will be excited by the idea of having someone new taking care of them. Respite care makes this possible. When you do the same things with the same person every day with no promise of change, you can easily get bored even if you are completely dedicated. Respite care services help you make changes and gives your senior elder a chance to meet a new caregiver.

Around The Clock Care

Because you can request respite care services when you need it, your senior relative will not be neglected when you are away from home. This is very helpful, especially when you are the primary home caregiver. It is not only dangerous but also extremely depressing to leave your patient alone in the house as you carry on with your other activities. Even when you are out for a few hours, you will have peace of mind knowing that your senior relative is being cared for by a professional caregiver. In the same spirit, when you are out on vacation or long work trips, respite care should be your go-to solution. Ultimately, you will be more productive in your other activities because your mind is settled when you know that the welfare of your senior relative is guaranteed by respite care.

Respite care ensures that your loved one is under good care when you are not around. It also offers caregivers a welcome break from caregiving, so that they can also enjoy some time out to rest and relax.