What Should Family Caregivers Know about Respite Care?

By Greg Kling 9  am on

definition-of-respite-care

Respite care is often talked about when it comes to senior living needs. Family caregivers often devote large amounts of their time to caring for their senior loved ones. While you might not mind dropping by your aging loved one’s house after work or visiting on the weekends, there may be moments when you feel like you aren’t able to juggle all your responsibilities. During these moments, planning for respite care is an option that helps you take a deep breath and keep on going.

Take Care of Your Personal Health Needs

You might be overdue for a dental exam or annual physical, but you keep putting it off to make sure your loved one gets to his or her critical appointments. A respite caregiver is someone who may help you avoid letting your health care needs fall by the wayside. The caregiver may drop in and keep your loved one company while you check in with your physician to make sure you’re physically fit for your caregiving duties.

When researching agencies that provide senior 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 more extensive assistance at home, you may rely on Assisting Hands Home Care.

Enjoy a Chance to Connect Socially

If you’ve started to feel the symptoms of burnout, you may need to spend some time with friends to refresh yourself socially. While it might feel self-indulgent, being around other people is a valid need. With respite care, you don’t have to turn down that invitation to have dinner with your friends. Instead, you may go forward with your plans while knowing your loved one is also enjoying an important social opportunity to connect with a caregiver.

Give Yourself Time to Pursue a Hobby

As a caregiver, it may often seem as though life is just an endless flow of piles of laundry and dishes. Trying to manage the needs of two households leaves you with very little time for enjoyable hobbies. Respite care is an option that may allow you the time to learn how to paint or do other fun things. While you’re out engaging your mind and body, your loved one’s caregiver may also help with completing those daily tasks so they aren’t weighing you down.

Keep Your Loved One Safe while You Travel

Many family caregivers are in the prime of their lives. This means you might be called upon to travel for work, or you might be eager to enjoy that second honeymoon you’ve been putting off. When your loved one isn’t able to travel with you, you’ll need someone you trust to step in. Respite care may also include lengthier stays that ensure your loved one is fully cared for while you’re away.

Seniors may 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 Northern Kentucky home care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they may focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need extensive assistance that their families are not able to provide. Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help.

Add a New Layer of Support to Your Plans

Hopefully, you already have many people who have offered their help, yet it’s common to find out everyone else is busy in a pinch. Respite caregivers are available when you’re sick, injured, or just need a mental health break. As you continue to build your support network, having a respite caregiver stay with your loved one before you have an urgent need lets you know your loved one will be happy to spend time with the person you send to his or her home so you feel less stress when life takes an unexpected turn.

Family caregivers need to care for their own wellbeing. If you’re caring for an aging loved one and are feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional caregiver to provide in-home care. Northern Kentucky families who want to prevent burnout may turn to Assisting Hands Home Care. One of our professional caregivers may assist your loved one at home while you take a nap, go to work, run errands, or go on vacation. Call Assisting Hands of Northern Kentucky at (859) 328-2656 to learn more about our flexible and customizable senior care plans.

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    About the author

    Contributor

    Greg Kling

    Greg Kling is the Owner and President of Assisting Hands Home Care Northern Kentucky, which he Co - Founded with his wife Kim in 2013, following more than 20 years of experience in business consulting. A former partner at Deloitte and an MBA graduate of The Ohio State University, Greg made the transition from corporate leadership to home care, inspired by the meaningful impact caregivers had on his own family. Today, he leads a team of over 200 employees, serving thousands of clients across Northern Kentucky. Greg is deeply passionate about enhancing lives through compassionate care and is equally committed to developing his team to achieve their full potential. Outside of work, he enjoys cycling, spending time with his three children, and playing the flute. Greg Kling is based in Ohio. You can reach him for professional inquiries and collaborations through his LinkedIn profile or by phone. Phone: (859) 374-7455