Respite care is a type of caregiving service that allows families to hire temporary caregivers for their senior loved ones. There are many different types of respite care, ranging from having a caregiver come in once a week to keep your senior loved one company while you shop for groceries to caring for your loved one for a week while you go on vacation. Respite care offers an array of benefits, but many people worry about the potential downsides. Keep reading to learn more about the truth behind some commonly held beliefs about the negatives of respite care.
Are Respite Caregivers Well Trained?
Some people balk at respite care because the idea of a temporary caregiver makes them picture a poorly trained caregiver who isn’t qualified. It’s important to remember that respite care might be temporary for your family, but it’s still a full-time job for the caregiver. As long as you work with a reputable agency, you’ll find respite caregivers are trained professionals who are fully equipped to manage the complexities of caregiving.
Although it may be challenging to find reliable, highly rated homecare services, Barrie, ON, families can turn to Home Care Assistance. Our respite and live-in caregivers are expertly trained to assist seniors with a wide array of important tasks, including cooking, bathing, light housekeeping, and exercise.
Will Respite Care Harm Your Relationship with Your Loved One?
When the person you’re caring for is a close family member, it can feel a little strange to think of asking a stranger to come in and care for him or her. However, using respite care can actually strengthen your family bonds. With respite care, you have time to take a break from being a caregiver and focus on being a spouse, child, sibling, or grandchild. Instead of spending your time thinking about making meals, giving baths, and providing medication reminders, you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy family time with your loved one.
Is It Difficult to Coordinate Care?
Having multiple caregivers coming and going doesn’t mean important responsibilities will slip through the cracks. Professional respite caregivers make sure to keep careful notes of everything that happens and follow your instructions precisely. Instead of worrying about missing important aspects of your loved one’s care, you can be confident your parent is receiving the best care possible.
A trained professional caregiver can be an extremely valuable member of your caregiving team. There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional senior home care. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place.
Does Respite Care Cost a Lot?
One of the most common reasons families avoid using respite care is because they think it will take funds away from their already tight budgets. It’s true that you’ll have to pay something, but it might not be as expensive as you think. Hiring a caregiver for just a few hours now and then is surprisingly affordable, and the ability to get a little extra help on occasion pays off in the long run. Family caregivers who have time to rest and feel refreshed are less likely to end up getting overwhelmed and needing to send their loved ones to nursing homes or assisted living facilities, where costs are even higher.
Family caregivers need to care for their own wellbeing. If you’re caring for an aging loved one and are feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional caregiver to provide respite care. Barrie families who want to prevent burnout can turn to Home Care Assistance. One of our professional caregivers can assist your loved one at home while you take a nap, go to work, run errands, or go on vacation. We will work with you to create a customized home care plan that’s suited for your loved one’s unique needs. Call the Home Care Assistance team at 647-970-3803 today.