Respite Care Can Support a Family Caregiver’s Well-Being
Taking care of an aging loved one can feel like a 24/7 role as help with daily tasks like bathing, grooming, cooking, and cleaning. Understandably, you may feel tired, stressed, and overwhelmed.
Like many family caregivers, you may forget to focus on your own well-being. Over time, the constant stress and anxiety can hurt your overall mental health and foster feelings of sadness, worry, and anger.
According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, up to 20% of family caregivers experience depression—double the rate of the general population.
If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, you could be subjected to caregiver burnout, a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion. Hiring a professional caregiver for respite care can help reduce the stress of taking care of an aging loved one.
What Is Respite Care?
Respite care is temporary relief for family caregivers who need a break or breather from their caregiver role. Respite care enables a professional caregiver to watch your loved one for a few hours, days, or even weeks. A professional respite care provider can ensure your loved one continues to get the attention they need while you take a break to focus on your own health, tend to your children’s needs, or enjoy a vacation.
While you may find it difficult to ask for help, regular respite care can give you flexibility to maintain a healthy emotional balance, allowing time to care for yourself and reassuring your loved one isn’t alone. With a respite care plan, you can honor your senior’s choice to age in place while providing coverage for times you need to focus on yourself.
Visiting Angels respite caregivers can provide companion care and non-medical personal care support such as:
- Bathing, grooming, and dressing
- Light housekeeping and laundry
- Meal planning and preparation
- Medication reminders
How to Schedule Respite Care
Visiting Angels offers flexible home care costs and options, from a few hours of help to overnight care. Many offices can set up fast-track care to expedite the planning and scheduling process.
Visiting Angels caregivers can also provide in-home care on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
Your local office will match your loved one with a caregiver who can meet their personal needs and your family's schedule.
Give Yourself Permission to Take a Break
Visiting Angels understands the complexities of caring for a loved one while managing your other responsibilities. It is more than OK to ask for help—spreading yourself too thin can harm your health and put your family’s health and happiness at risk.
Respite care can provide the solution you need and offer you a much-deserved break to reduce the risk and common signs of caregiver burnout.
Contact your Visiting Angels home care office near you to arrange a free, no-obligation consultation today.
