Have you experienced signs of fatigue, anxiety, and depression? Any of those symptoms (and more) can be a sign that you might be suffering from caregiving fatigue. Studies from the American Psychological Association show that caregiver burnout is a prevalent condition among those who are the sole, unpaid family caregiver of an older adult. If you suspect you may be suffering the symptoms of caregiver burnout, there’s no need to feel ashamed. Instead, you should consider this a sign that it might be time to consider respite care options.
At Companion Care of Georgia, we’ve worked with families in a variety of life situations. We’ve strived to provide overwhelmed caregivers the relief they need to provide the best care for their loved ones. It’s not shameful to need help, which is why we’re more than happy to provide advice to those who may be considering senior caregiving services, whether long-term or short-term.
What is Respite Care
Respite care, or short-term elderly care, is a form of elder care available to those who need temporary assistance caring for an aging relative. This coverage allows the primary caregiver the peace of mind to know their loved one is cared for even while they are away.
For the duration of the respite care, a professional caregiver will offer companionship and non-medical care for the adult patient. As these caregivers are trained professionals, you can rest assured that they’ll be able to provide the same (and often higher) level of care your loved one has come to enjoy.
5 Way Respite Care Can Help You
Respite care isn’t just about providing care for the older adult; it’s also about offering assistance to the primary caregiver as well. During the period a skilled professional caregiver is taking care of the patient, the primary caregiver is able to perform any necessary outstanding tasks. This can include enjoying a much-needed vacation or performing household chores that they’ve been unable to perform.
If you’ve been struggling to provide the same level of care your loved one deserves, consider these five ways short-term respite care might improve your life and relationships with your loved one.
Burn Out Mitigation
With such a high rate of burnout among family caregivers, it’s important to give yourself time to rest. When you’re overwhelmed, it’s time to consider asking others to take over those important caregiving responsibilities temporarily. Relying on others, especially trained professionals, is a great way to get the necessary rest to ensure that you’re able to provide the best care possible to your loved one.
Vacation/Work Trip
As the body ages, it may become difficult for an older person to move as quickly as they used to. Mobility issues make it difficult to travel far from home; if someone is serving as the sole caregiver, these issues can extend beyond the affected adult and onto their caregiver. If you’re forced to miss family vacations or reschedule key business trips, it might be time to consider respite care.
A temporary caregiver can oversee your loved one’s care during your essential trip, allowing you to rest easy knowing they’re being cared for.
Relationships
Have you noticed a strain in your relationships with your loved ones? Some people report that their relationships, either with the older adult or their other loved ones, can see strain as they try and juggle being caretaker and companion. Tensions often form due to friction from serving as the sole companion to a relative at the expense of time with other relationships. An outlet is necessary to ensure both relationships remain healthy.
A respite caregiver can serve as a reprieve from many of these issues. The professional caregiver can offer a second source of companionship or even transportation services so that an older adult can meet with other friends or peers. While the older adult is being tended to, their primary caregiver is free to spend time focusing on their other relationships, such as going on dates with their partner or spending time with their children.
Free Time
Between being a working adult and caring for your aging relative, the amount of personal time a family caregiver has can be cut considerably short. Taking time away from being a caregiver can be integral to ensuring you perform your duties as best as possible. A respite caregiver can take over the necessary care duties while you shift the focus of your care to self-care. Take a rest day and allow yourself to rejuvenate so that you’re better prepared to offer the care your aging relative deserves.
No More Mistakes
Those experiencing burnout or stress from overwork may make more mistakes than usual. Stress makes it harder to think, which may result in essential duties being forgotten. You may have to repeat tasks that you fail the first time. These failures or forgotten tasks may only make that burnout worse. If you’ve been making more mistakes than usual, it might be time to consider help from a short-term caregiver. A professional short-term caregiver will be trained to handle the essential duties that need to be covered while you take the time to rest.
Finding a Respite Care Provider for You
Studies from The Journal of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine show that respite care is a necessity for the well-being and long-term comfort of both caregivers and aging adults. It offers a reprieve when you’re overwhelmed and allows you the freedom to care for yourself when caring for your loved one.
Respite care is a powerful tool in your arsenal as a family caregiver. Being willing to call on help shows that you value yourself and your family to ensure that they’re afforded the best care possible, whether that’s from you or a hired professional caregiver.
If you’ve been considering respite care, you’ll want to consider an agency that can adapt to fit you and your loved one’s needs. Not all senior care plans are the same. You must find a company that can adjust a care plan to your family’s needs.
At Companion Care of Georgia, we’re proud to offer such care to our clients. Our caregivers are carefully vetted to ensure that they provide compassionate, reliable, and professional care. When you give us a call, we’ll schedule a no-obligation consultation to discuss what you’re looking for in a senior care plan. If you’re looking for respite short-term care for your loved one, we’re happy to help.
If you’re interested in our services, schedule an appointment today to learn how we can help your loved one regain the quality of life they deserve.