Why do Caregivers need Respite Care?


Caregivers are people who are to support and care for a family member suffering from diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, child with autism, etc. Being a caregiver is a task of responsibility and only a man with soft heart can do that. This is a hard task to do but yet a person will not trade the feel for anything as the feeling of relief and satisfaction that you get out of it is soothing. Being beside the patient every second to support him/her is a real big deal.

Below is some health advice for people who are acting as a caregiver.

Caregiving is an act that demands total dedication 24 hours and 7 days a week. You have to understand that a human being relies only on you for all his physical and mental or psychological supports. This makes it an almost impossible task for a caregiver and the same demands for the need of a respite care. What is respite care? Respite care is a temporary discontinuation in the care of the patient by the caregiver. A person would take care of him for a few hours, a day or a week. This serves as a break for the caregiver so that he can get relieved of his duty for a while and ease himself out of stress. You can get respite service either from someone you know or go for a paid service.

You can choose from various types of respite care. You can avail this service at home by a family member, friend or a paid volunteer. You may also find certain adult day care or a residential facility nearby.

Types of Respite Care

In Home Care Services: In this service, the patient is provided with companion services and personal care assisting the person with dressing, bathing, toileting and daily exercising. They would also help in laundry and meal preparation. Further, they may help in proper timely medication of the person.

Adult Day Care: This service is available at many places where Alzheimer patients stay in a safe environment and the staffs work on plans to keep them peaceful and in a better mental health condition. They provide meals and transportation facilities too.

Residential Facilities: These centers offer n overnight stay for few days or a week so that the caregiver can go for a vacation while the person suffering from dementia is under supervision of the respite care provider. The fees for such institutions might vary and the insurance or Medicare providers does normally not consider this cost.

Respite care can be provided by friends, family or by a professional caregiver. When you are shifting the responsibility on someone else while respite care make sure that you have discussed the issue with the person. Provide them with all the emergency numbers to be contacted and make sure that you make them aware of whatever you used to do. All individuals are different from others and so let them know the insights about the patients to help them take even better care of the patient. You can find a caregiver online or can get the best health advice regarding the same from the doctor. Few nursing homes and organizations with living facilities provide temporary respite care. Cost of the facility is often a disturbing aspect for people. Your local government might help you with the respite care fees. Make a check for the same with your local Council on Aging or Social Services Department.

Respite care is of great importance as a caregiver can be at a big level of stress due to regular caretaking of the patient. Respite care work as a short term easing off break for them so that they can get out of the stress for a while and recover to a healthy physical and mental state. It is essential for the caregivers too to maintain general health that keeps then mentally and physically sound.

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