As a caregiver, you help take care of things big and small. It’s literally right there in the name! From shuttling your loved one to appointments and social activities to helping them dress and cook meals, your daily tasks can run the gamut. But what happens when you need a break? Or want to take a vacation? Or travel to an out-of-town event for your child?
Luckily, you have options that can be more scheduled or “drop in” when you need it most.
Types of Respite Care
Respite care is just that: a temporary reprieve from daily caregiving duties. You get a break while your loved one receives expert support and care in a safe environment. And services and assistance can be a few hours to a few months, depending on you and your family’s needs.
In-home services may include:
- Companionship for social engagements and supervised activities
- Housekeeping services for things like laundry and meal prep
- Personal care services for things like bathing, dressing and exercising
- Skilled care services for help with medications, infusions and more
Adult day centers offer planned activities and programming by support staff. Depending on the location, transportation and meals may be offered, too.
Residential health centers allow overnight stays for varying lengths of time with around-the-clock skilled care. This is good for weekends away, big projects and longer vacations.
And it’s helpful to remember that your loved one may need a few times to get comfortable with respite care providers. So continue to talk openly and try options that can better support you both.
Benefits of Respite Care for Caregivers & Seniors
According to the comprehensive Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 survey sponsored by AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, 53 million people in the U.S. provide unpaid care to friends and family. Of that group, 61% also work and 23% acknowledge that their caregiving duties have made their own health worse.
Are you stressed? Take the Institute on Aging Caregiver Stress Test for a chance to get a pulse on your caregiving experience.
With stats like this, it’s no surprise that caregiver burnout is a real issue and one that can leave caregivers feeling stressed and drained physically, emotionally and financially.
Respite care provides a number of benefits to everyone involved. On top of time, consider these other valuable advantages of opting for respite care:
- Gain a fresh perspective on caregiving routines and tasks that are on autopilot.
- Strengthen personal connections for you and your loved one both within and outside your caregiving bond.
- Prioritize your health and well-being.
- Test out potential senior living residences.
- Engage socially without guilt — for both you and your loved one!
When you get time to rest and recharge, you often re-engage in caregiving duties with a new outlook. Allowing yourself a break and help when you need it means you’re taking care of yourself, too.
Harbour’s Edge Respite Care Options in Delray Beach
When you or your loved one could use a break, or if you suspect you’re suffering from caregiver burnout, consider the respite care options near you in Palm Beach County. Here at Harbour’s Edge, we’re happy to offer 24/7 respite care services for a minimum stay of two months in our health center.
During your loved one’s stay, they receive access to all of our amenities (including delicious and nutritious chef-prepared meals and the beautiful Intracoastal Waterway) and social activities. And you get peace of mind knowing your loved one is being taken care of while you see to the other parts of your life.
Please reach out to our team to learn more about how Harbour’s Edge respite care service can help you and your family.
