When you assume the role of family caregiver, make sure you know all of the options available to you, including respite care. Respite care is a service that provides your aging senior loved one with care while you are away or when you need to catch up on rest. Home care Montgomery experts share some of the benefits respite care offers family caregivers
1. Eases the Transition to In-Home Care
Many seniors resist care from family and friends out of embarrassment. With respite care, your loved one may be less resistant to receiving care because all of the responsibilities aren’t placed on you. An in-home respite caregiver can also go over the benefits of caregiving with your loved one and ease his or her resistance to receiving help.
If you are the primary caregiver for a senior family member and you need respite care, Montgomery, AL, Home Care Assistance is here to help. Our respite caregivers are trained to assist older adults with a wide variety of everyday tasks, including meal prep, physical activity, and personal hygiene. We also provide 24-hour care and specialized care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s.
2. Simplifies Caregiving Duties
Taking on a lot at once can be difficult for family caregivers, but having someone to help out makes the job easier. When you simplify the caregiving process, you can reduce the risk of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion. A respite caregiver can help you with difficult tasks, making your days less stressful and chaotic.
Families who need help taking care of their senior family members can turn to Home Care Assistance Montgomery. One of our trusted caregivers can encourage your loved one to adopt healthier habits and help him or her age in place safely and comfortably.
3. Offers More Guidance
Having the opinions of a professional comes in handy for family caregivers. Instead of calling your loved one’s doctor every time you have a minor question, you can speak with an in-home respite caregiver to get the answers you need. In addition to providing good advice, a respite caregiver can be a mentor. When you need to vent about the challenges of caregiving, you can speak honestly to a professional caregiver without feeling guilty or embarrassed.
4. Allows Caregivers to Develop a Self-Care Plan
Family caregivers must take care of their own health needs to provide adequate care for an elderly loved one. Skipping out on doctor appointments, eating unhealthy meals, not getting enough exercise, and turning down plans to socialize with people your own age are all things that can lead to poor health. When a respite caregiver is at home with your loved one, you can tend to your personal health. Putting your health first allows you to remain in good mental and physical shape.
5. Gives Family Caregivers the Time Off They Need
Receiving assistance with caregiving duties gives you more time to take short or extended breaks. You can catch up on rest, go out to dinner with friends, or take a vacation with your children. When you return from your short break or extended time off, you may have a clearer mind.
6. Focuses on Specialized Care
When seniors fall and break their bones, get diagnosed with a chronic condition, or develop an infection, their care needs change. A respite caregiver can step in to help with these changes, providing customized care on an as-needed basis, which makes the changes less challenging for family caregivers and their elderly loved ones.
7. Resolves Family Conflicts Over Elder Care
When there is more than one family caregiver, it is common for those caregivers to have conflicted feelings pertaining to their loved one’s health. When there is conflict about care, a respite caregiver can step in, provide expertise, and help you see things from a professional viewpoint, which can ease the tension among your family and allow your loved one to get the best care possible.
If you are the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality elder care, Montgomery Home Care Assistance can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age. To hire a professional respite or live-in caregiver, call us at (334) 593-3988 today.