The Importance of Respite Care
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Caregiving is not easy — not for the caregiver and not for the person receiving care. The ongoing demands of taking care of someone else can strain even the most resilient person. That’s why it’s critical for caregivers to ask for help and take a break when they need it.
Respite care by Live Peace 24/7 provides short-term relief for primary caregivers in Greater Vancouver, giving them time to rest, travel, or spend time with other family and friends. The care may last anywhere from a few hours to several weeks at a time. Respite care can take place at home, in a health care facility, or at an adult day care center.
Benefits of Respite Care for Families
1. Allows time for rest and recuperation
Caring for a loved one can be a highly demanding and challenging responsibility that no one should have to go through alone. After some time providing attention and care for their loved ones, it is not uncommon for the carer to begin to require some support for themselves. Respite for caregivers provides an opportunity to obtain some short-term rest, which is essential for the carer to maintain their own mental health and well-being.
Taking time for rest and recuperation can mean:
- A reduced level of stress for both the carer and family – allowing for greater levels of patience.
- An improvement in personal well-being.
- More time to interact with family and friends.
- A strengthened and improved relationship between the carer and the individual who requires care.
2. Creates a chance to tend to personal needs
When taking on the responsibility of taking care of another individual, it isn’t uncommon to start neglecting your own well-being, and this can often be easily overlooked. One of the major benefits of respite care for caregivers is the ability to recoup some time for your own personal needs.
Respite care is a great solution that allows caregivers to free up some time for themselves whilst their loved one is cared for by a trustworthy and experienced professional. There are both short-term care options, such as arranging care for a few hours, to longer term options such as a temporary stay at a care home whilst the caregiver is away on holiday.
3. Relieves pressure and stress
Respite care is beneficial to both the individual in care and the caregiver. Typically, over extensive periods of time, pressure and stress can build between loved ones. Many issues can arise, such as the individual in care feeling a loss of dependence or guilt. Whilst the carer may struggle with the transition of juggling their own life with the newfound commitments of caring for their loved one.
Respite care for family caregivers provides an opportunity for the carer to “recharge their batteries” by taking some time away from their caring responsibilities. Not doing so creates a build-up of pressure and stress that may affect the carers’ patience and ability to deliver the best care standards possible. Using respite care services is a beneficial way to create a better life balance.
4. Relieves pressure and stress
Caring for a loved one can often feel like a full-time job. Working on your own career and doing your best to juggle family commitments, you may start to feel isolated. It’s important as a carer to understand you are not alone. Respite care can help provide you with the vital time needed for yourself, friends and other family members. Not only is this time essential for your own mental well-being, but it also eliminates the possibility of harbouring resentment and risks of burnout.
How Does Respite Care support the family?
Respite for caregivers and family members can be a beneficial solution for everyone. Those family members who have care needs can also benefit from having someone different taking care of them. Whether this respite care is for one night, a few days, or even a week or two, it can offer a change of scenery, routine, and people to interact with.
It’s common for those who need care to feel like a burden on other family members, which can sometimes lead to guilt and frustration. Interacting with new people through respite care can help remove these feelings, with the added benefit of not suffering from social isolation within their own homes.
