If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior loved one, you may experience burnout. In addition, you may need to get away for a few days or weeks to attend a business event or care for your children. As a result, you may need to consider respite care. Here are some things you need to know about respite care so your loved one can be safely cared for while you’re away.
An Explanation of Respite Care
Respite care refers to the temporary or short-term care of a loved one. It gives family caregivers breaks from their day-to-day caregiving duties if other obligations or events take them away from their loved ones. In-home respite care isn’t just beneficial for family caregivers. It’s also good for seniors because it gives them a chance to interact with different people in addition to their usual family caregivers.
When researching agencies that provide elderly home care, families are usually looking for flexible care plans, compassionate and highly trained caregivers, and 24/7 availability. Whether you need respite care to take a break from your caregiving duties or your senior loved one needs around-the-clock assistance at home, you can rely on Align Home Care.
Benefits of In-Home Respite Care
A respite caregiver can come to your loved one’s home to provide assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, preparing meals, and doing laundry. Respite caregivers can also take seniors to medical and dental appointments, the grocery store, and social events, and they can help with other errands as needed.
Family caregivers sometimes need a break from their caregiving responsibilities. When they need respite care, Kennebunk families can rely on professional caregivers to help their senior loved ones remain safe at home.
Paying for Respite Care
If your loved one qualifies for hospice care through the Medicare program, the cost of respite care may be covered as well. However, if your loved one doesn’t meet the criteria for hospice care services through Medicare, respite care may not be covered. If your loved one is a military veteran, in-home respite care services may be covered by the Veterans Administration. In addition, if your loved one is a Medicaid recipient, the Medicaid program may pay for respite care. However, policies vary among states.
Effects of Respite Care on Quality of Life
Both caregivers and seniors can become socially isolated. Family caregivers may be unable to leave their loved ones’ homes due to their caregiving duties, and seniors may only have their caregivers to interact with.
To effectively take care of your loved one, you need to take good care of yourself, both physically and emotionally. When family caregivers are given respite breaks, they can enjoy hobbies, engage in exercise, and spend time in nature, gaining a better outlook on life so they can be more effective caregivers.
When seniors interact with different respite caregivers, it can make time pass more quickly and help them look forward to the future. Respite caregivers and the elderly people they care for often forge strong friendships and lifelong bonds, which may help seniors better manage their health issues while preventing loneliness.
Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted Kennebunk senior home care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Align Home Care is here to help. To talk to one of our friendly Care Managers and create a customized senior care plan, call us at (207) 835-3490.