The Importance of Respite for Caregivers

By Carissa Stella

As with any job, everyone needs time away from their responsibilities to take care of personal affairs, ease the stress of their position as well as to renew their energy. Being an in-home caregiver incorporates some additional stress of being responsible for someone’s health. This makes it more important for you, as a caregiver, to be able to provide quality care and attention to the patient. Whether you are caring for a family member or are a paid professional, taking a break from your responsibility will prevent you from getting burned out from the job.

Caregivers need to care for themselves too

If you are a caregiver, the job can lead to feeling overwhelmed and even episodes of depression if you are not able to take some time off and have time for yourself. Many in-home caregivers who remain on the job 24/7 will find it hard to take a break but the stress and negative emotions build up over time and could possibly hamper the quality of the care they provide.

Fortunately, there are options available for respite from the every day duties. You can have others in your care network such as other family members and friends spend some time with your loved one. You can hire an in-home care service to help keep a normal routine or use one of the many adult day care programs that can provide a different environment. All options can be therapeutic for both your loved one and   for you, the caregiver.

Bringing in some additional help

When you are considering finding help to care for your loved one it is important to understand the type of help that is needed. Once you know the type of help you require, make a list of those who can provide that help and the cost if you need to bring in professionals.

You should look around the home to determine what preparations are needed for an outsider to come in and help out. Also remember any medications that will be required will have to be readily available, at least until the temporary caregiver is familiar with the surroundings.

In-Home Care Services. If your loved one prefers a comfortable and familiar environment while you are not with them, in-home care services is the best option. These services can be tailored to fit your loved ones needs fulfilling the day to day of medication management, personal care and companionship. It’s important to make sure you use a licensed home care agency to ensure you are receiving professional, reliable and the highest quality service for your loved one. It’s important to take the time for yourself and knowing a caring professional is looking after your loved one will allow you to enjoy your time away.

Adult Day Care Services. These are designed for individuals with a wide range of needs. Many communities have established programs that allow the individual to become part of their community. Typically, they are run by professional caregivers and are available weekdays, giving in-home caregivers a break during the day to allow for them to take care of their own business. It also can relieve some of the stress of caring for your loved one by knowing they are in capable hands.

Here are some of the benefits from of these respite programs:

 

•  Time out of the house that they can spend with others.
• An opportunity to be part of a group of people closer to one’s own age.
• A chance to learn some new skills through activities in a friendly encouraging environment.
• Regaining a sense of independence
• Improved self-esteem

Getting away from the environment

As a caregiver, it is not only important to have someone else come into the home to give you a break. It is important that you get out of the house, even if just for a few hours. In the beginning it may only be for an hour or so, until you are comfortable with the caregiver’s abilities and the patient’s feeling of confidence. When you start to feel more comfortable, you can gradually increase the amount of time you spend away from home and your loved one. If you are a caregiver, we’d love for you to share with us and those reading how you take time for yourself. Where do you go for rest and relaxtion? How do you rebuild your energy?

 

No Responses to “The Importance of Respite for Caregivers”

1. Anon says:

   January 10, 2012 at 4:40 pm

   It’s really a great and useful piece of info. I am glad that you just shared this useful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing….

   Reply