Providing care for a senior loved one can be simultaneously rewarding and challenging. While it is an honor to help someone you care about and spend quality time with them, it can also take its toll on you physically and emotionally. There is no shame for a caregiver to seek out respite care and take a well-deserved break from their duties. Here is what you should know about this service.

What Is Respite Care?

Respite care offers the caregiver some time away from their duties. This temporary break can occur for as little as an hour or two or as long as several days. Caregiving is an often arduous task that can include many responsibilities, including personal care, medication management, cooking, cleaning, and other household tasks as the person may need. Taking some time for respite is a way to escape from those duties for a while so someone else can step in to provide care for your loved one in the meantime.  

What Types Are There?

There are many different approaches to respite care. You might call on a trusted family member or neighbor to sit with your loved one while you step out for a couple of hours to enjoy some quiet time to yourself or to take care of a personal chore. There are also adult day care facilities where seniors can spend time with others their age and enjoy activities in a safe and comfortable environment. 

You might hire a home health care provider as an alternative. This will allow you a set time as often as you need to take a break from your duties. At the same time, you will have peace of mind knowing that your loved one is receiving professional-level quality of care. 

Who Benefits from It?

Caregivers reap the greatest rewards from scheduling respite care. Despite the feeling that they can handle everything on their list of things to do, eventually the person in charge of someone else’s health and wellbeing may begin to feel burned out. This can take its toll on the person in many ways, leading to physical ailments and mental health concerns. Respite care gives these caring individuals an opportunity to address their own needs, clear their minds, and come back to their loved one feeling stronger and better equipped to handle their responsibilities.
 

If you or a loved one needs help with Activities of Daily Living (ADL), which includes meal preparation, light housekeeping, toileting and bathing, trust the professionals at Deer Valley Home Health Services in St. Louis, MO. There’s also the option of arranging for private duty nurse visits, if you do not qualify for Medicaid. Call (314) 355-3679 to discuss your specific needs, or visit them online to learn more about their services. There’s also the option of arranging for regular nurse visits at home if your loved one doesn’t yet need a facility.