What Is Respite Care?

At Sonas Home Health Care, we understand it’s a gift to take care of your mom, dad, or other loved one when they need you. They’ve taken care of you, it’s nice to be able to return the favor.

But being the primary caregiver to a loved one can also take a toll on you emotionally, physically, psychologically, and financially. After all, you need to take care of yourself, too. Not to mention any other family you might have.

Respite care is there to step in and take care of your loved one so you can take a break, relax, and do the things you’ve been wanting to but haven’t had time for.

In this blog post you’ll learn more about what respite care is, why it might be right for you, the different forms it comes in, how long it is, and when it might be necessary.

Our hope is that anyone who might benefit from respite care understands it better because of this post.

What Are the Benefits of Respite Care?

We know that overall it’s a joy to take care of your loved ones, but sometimes you need a break. You’re not alone. Everyone does. And that’s where respite care comes in.

Some benefits of respite care include:

Care Continuity. Vetted and trained respite caregivers you can trust are out there. We at Sonas offer them. And they can help provide professional care to your loved one. Then when you’re rested after respite care, you’re able to step back in refreshed and ready to care for your loved one when you are not able to.

You have help when you need it most. Life moves fast. And it can be especially hard to keep up when you’re the primary caregiver for a loved one. But with respite care, you’ll be freed up to do the things you need to do, all the while knowing your loved one is well taken care of.

Improve your emotional and physical health. Taking care of your loved one can be hard on you emotionally, physically, and psychologically. But your health in those areas are vital. After all, to best take care of your loved one, you need to be healthy as well.

Sustain relationships. According to the National Respite Network and Resource Center, respite care may reduce the likelihood of divorce and help sustain marriages. It can also help you maintain strong relationships with family and friends who can provide ongoing support to you as a primary caregiver.

When Is Respite Care Right for Me?

Respite care allows you as the primary caregiver to do many things. After all, you have more time to do them. Some of the things our clients at Sonas are able to do because of respite care include:

Running errands
Rest and catch up on sleep
Take care of work
Travel with family or for work
Exercise and meditate
Go out to dinner with friends
And much more

What Kinds of Respite Care Are There?

There are two primary types of respite care available to you. They are:

In-home respite care: This is a very popular option among clients at Sonas Home Health Care. In fact, it’s what we at Sonas provide. The respite caregiver comes to the home of your loved one who needs care. That way they’re in the comfort of the environment they’re used to. The respite caregiver learns where things are like medication, what routines your loved one goes by, and any medical or non-medical care your loved one needs.

Out-of-home respite care: This type of respite care includes any type of temporary care that takes place away from home. This might mean in a specialized medical facility, emergency respite, adult day care, or respite homes.

How Do I Know When to Get Respite Care?

According to The Family Caregiver Alliance, 17% of caregivers in the U.S. feel their own health has deteriorated as a result of their caregiving responsibilities.

Not to mention that studies repeatedly show higher levels of depressive symptoms and mental health problems among caregivers than people who aren’t caregivers.

It’s perfectly normal to need a break.

If you’ve been caring for a loved one, you may want to give respite care a try.

Because it can help with your own health and wellbeing.

Contact Sonas Home Health Care for In-Home Respite Care

If you or someone you care about is the primary caregiver for a loved one in need, respite care may be right for you.

Call (888) 592-5855 or click here to schedule your free in-home assessment today.

Sources
https://archrespite.org/consumer-information
https://www.assistedliving.org/respite-care/

Jillian Miller BSN, RN

Director of Nursing at Sonas Home Health Care

This blog was reviewed by Jillian Miller BSN, RN — Director of Nursing for Sonas Home Health Care’s Tampa Bay market — for clinical accuracy. Jillian Miller has been a nurse for 16 years — working primarily in pediatrics. She believes the best part of working with the pediatric population is when you see smiles from clients when you first enter the room. She loves seeing the difference you can make in families’ lives while providing the best care possible for them.