What is Respite Care and Why Do You Need it When You're a Caregiver?

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If you've a caregiver for a loved one, you might have heard of respite care. Whilst you might not be familiar with it yet, it's something that you need as a caregiver. Read on to find out what respite care is -- and why it's crucial to your own well being when you're a caregiver for a loved one. 

Understanding Respite Care

Respite care is temporary care that gives you a break. When you have a respite care provider, you'll be able to actually leave the home without worrying about your loved one. This is something that you may not have had the opportunity to do for a very long time—and if you did have to leave your loved one alone, you were probably worried about them the entire time that you were gone. 

When you hire a respite caregiver, you'll have peace of mind. Respite caregivers are specially trained to perform all types of support care for your loved one, and they can work with you to make sure that they understand exactly what your loved one will need whilst you're not there. This can include:

  • Cooking
  • Feeding your loved one
  • Light housekeeping
  • Wheelchair transfers
  • Help with toilet needs
  • Help with showering or bathing
  • Companionship
  • Dispensing medication

Respite caregivers can be there for several hours, or even for a day or more at a time. Many people have respite caregivers come in on a regular basis to give them a break. The schedule is all up to you.

Why Do You Need Respite Care?

Respite care is important for all caregivers—even if they don't think that they need help. The main reason that respite care is so important is that caregiver burnout is a very real thing. Burnout is inevitable when you're looking after someone around the clock. Many caregivers eventually find themselves feeling drained, depressed, resentful, and even angry about their situation if they never get a break. If you accept the fact that respite care is important now, you may be able to avoid that burnout later. Respite care is a mental and emotional break that allows you to recharge your energy. 

Apart from the mental and emotional benefits, respite care allows you to accomplish all of those tasks that you just can't do easily whilst caring for someone else. Exercising, going to lunch with friends, enjoying your hobbies or going shopping are some of the many things that you'll finally be able to do—guilt free!—if you have a respite care provider to help out. 

As you can tell from the information above, respite care is not just a good idea -- it's actually vital if you want to be the best caregiver that you can be. The happier that you are, the happier your loved one will be. Contact establishments such as Simply Helping to ask about respite care today.

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