Being on call 24 hours a day, year-round, as a family caregiver can be a very demanding job. This job is even more difficult for men and women who work full-time, have children, or have other obligations that can interfere with their ability to provide the care their senior loved one needs.
Any unforeseen events that call for a family caregiver to be absent from the older adult can bring massive amounts of stress, but fortunately Mercy House Assisted Living here to help! We offer a Respite Program to help family caregivers who need a temporary safe place for their senior loved one to live.
WHAT EXACTLY IS RESPITE CARE?
When family caregivers need a break, respite care provides them with support and peace of mind. Respite programs offer seniors a safe place to stay, even though these programs are how readily accessible, very few families utilize them. A study performed by the National Alliance of Caregiving, revealed that only 12 percent of family caregivers make use of respite care programs. Some are unaware, while others may feel guilty entrusting a loved one’s care to someone else. However, experts say that using respite services on a regular basis can make a family member a better caregiver because it allows them to rest and take care of their own health.
If respite sounds like an option you’d like to consider, here are some suggestions for talking to your loved one about it.
DISCUSSING RESPITE CARE WITH A SENIOR:
-BE TRUTHFUL: First and foremost, encourage your loved one that this isn’t a sly way of moving them to an assisted living facility. Reiterate that respite apartments aren’t normally intended for long-term occupants, but that they can be permanent if they so desire.
-CHOOSE DATES STRATEGICALLY: Speak with the staff to learn about upcoming special events and activities; this will show your senior loved one how exciting a senior community can be.
-PACK A FEW FAVORITE BELONGINGS: Strive to not overdo it and make your loved one worry that this is an indefinite arrangement. Bring some of their dearest belongings whether it be a family picture, a book or even an iPad.