Understanding Respite Care

 

Respite care is a unique, very important, kind of care that is offered to unpaid caretakers for emergency or planned breaks. It is estimated that 75 percent of care that is provided to the elderly or disabled is provided by their family members. Approximately 44 million American caregivers provide more than 37 billion hours of unpaid care to loved ones each year. Respite care is designed to give these caregivers emergency reprieve or scheduled breaks. Sometimes respite care is used for a week a year for family vacations and sometimes it is used for just a few hours to allow family members to take their spouses on dates or to take a much-needed day of self care.

For many family caregivers, it is difficult to ask for help because they feel like they are implying that caring for their loved one is a burden. Using respite services, in no way, suggests that. Instead, respite services are important to helping the unpaid caregiver get the time off that every paid employee is entitled to. Whether you are the unpaid spouse who is the full-time caregiver for your mother-in-law who suffers from dementia, or you are the daughter of a disabled parent who lives with you, or something in between, Angels on-Call respite services can offer you the time you need to care for yourself and your own nuclear family.

Follow along in today’s post as we help clarify what respite services are.

Respite services are an outlet for families.

Oftentimes families choose to keep their loved ones at home as long as possible, rather than sending them to live in an institution such as an assisted living facility or a nursing home. While this is a noble cause, one that should be applauded, it can create a lot of tension and stress on the nuclear family. Respite services provide an outlet for families to take advantage of some help from time to time. This helps rekindle the family flame and allow everyone to decompress and recharge their batteries.

Decreases caregiver fatigue.

As we mentioned, being a full time caregiver for a loved one is a very physically and mentally demanding job. In addition to taking most of your time, the stress of not being paid and sacrificing time with children and friends can take an emotional toll. When you take advantage of respite services provided by your local home health agency, you can re engage in self care practices that will help revitalize you mentally and physically. Prevent caregiver fatigue and burnout when you take some time off from your responsibilities.

At Angels on-Call Homecare, we offer a wide range of in-home services, including respite care. Whether you need the night out for a date with your spouse, you need a full day off each Tuesday, or you need a week off each summer for a family vacation, we have the in-home care providers to help you and your family. Schedule our respite care services or call us in case of an emergency, either way, we will be there to watch over your family when you need it.