Are you the sole caregiver to your aging loved one? In 2015, 41.3 million Americans served as unpaid caregivers, according to the US Department of Labor. Nine out of ten of these unpaid caregivers were caring for family members.
If you’re one of them, you can likely benefit from senior respite care. Here’s why respite care is a win for everyone involved.
1. Self-Care for the Caregiver
As a caregiver of an ill or elderly family member, you’ve likely grappled with exhaustion and guilt at some point.
The exhaustion is the result of the emotional and physical toll that caregivers frequently experience. Burnout is not uncommon among caregivers. In fact, many caregivers experience depression, but their guilt prevents them from doing anything to ease their struggle.
Regular respite care for even a few hours a day can do wonders for your well-being. While your loved one is in the care of capable hands, you can take an extra nap or treat yourself to a day out. Before long, you can return to your duties refreshed and capable of resuming your duties.
2. Work Life Balance for the Caregiver
Caring for an elderly loved one is often a full-time job. But what if you can’t make ends meet?
If you’re living from check to check, you might need another job to supplement your income.
A respite care service can ensure that your loved one is in good hands while you work. Even if your job is unstable or you don’t work every day, a break from being a caregiver can help you focus on making money whenever you can..
3. Family Time for fhe Caregiver
How often have you sacrificed time with other family members to care for your aging loved one?
When you prioritize being a caregiver, you may have no time to take care of your own children or attend family functions. In fact, your closest relationships can become strained.
Isolation is not good for any caregiver. You need all the support and love you can get, and your family or your spouse needs time with you as well. Reserve respite care for your senior parent or relative, and take some time to be with family. You can even get respite care for extended periods of time while you enjoy a vacation away from home.
4. Senior Respite Care Offers Peer Interaction
Respite care isn’t just relief for caregivers. It’s also a chance for seniors to interact with peers.
Even those seniors with chronic neurological challenges can benefit from peer interaction. While in respite care, your elderly loved one can participate in interesting activities especially tailored for people their age, and they can make new friends.
Respite care is often offered in assisted living facilities, so peer interaction is inevitable.
5. Professional Care for the Senior
When you allow a respite care service to take over your duties, you leave your loved one in the care of professionals. Though you’ve likely had training in caring for your senior’s specific needs, respite care workers do this job for a living. This means that your loved one is treated to excellent care even when you aren’t around.
Final Thoughts
With the help of senior respite care, you can strengthen your own well-being. By taking time to yourself and spending time with family, you can become an even better caregiver.
For more tips and news on family life and other interesting topics, keep coming back to our blog. We have something new for you every day.
