According to AARP, over 53 million adults in the U.S. are providing unpaid care to a senior over the age of 50. If you’re part of this group, you already know the heavy physical and emotional burden caregiving can bring. It’s not unusual for caregivers to experience stress, exhaustion, depression, and burnout. Although you want to provide the best care possible, you have to care for yourself as well.
Respite care is a short-term care option in a senior living community. If you’re a primary caregiver wanting more information about what is respite care, we can help! Here are some of the top benefits of respite care.
What Is Respite Care?
Caring for an older adult is a full-time job. There’s often little time to rest or care for your own needs. Respite care services provide caregivers with a much-needed break for a few hours, days, or weeks. It offers temporary support and relief to individuals caring for someone with an illness, disability, or chronic medical condition.
You can take a break while senior living professionals provide the services your loved one needs. Respite care costs vary but typically range from $70 to $235 per day, depending on the location, type of facility, and level of care needed. If respite care is necessary, Medicare will cover occasional short-term stays for up to five days.
Benefits of Respite Care for a Primary Caregiver
Caregiving is exhausting, to say the least. If you’re constantly caring for your loved one, you may put your needs on the back burner. If you don’t slow down and rest, you’re putting your physical and mental health at risk. Read on to discover some of the tremendous benefits respite care can give caregivers.
Rest and Relax
Giving your body a break from caregiving can reduce your stress level and even lower your heart rate and blood pressure. Giving your body a rest can ease your mind and improve your mood. Respite care gives you the time you need to reset and rewind. This allows you to focus on yourself for a short while and come back ready to provide the best care possible for your loved one.
Stay Healthy
Caregiving is hard work. It can be physically and mentally taxing. If you don’t take the time to rest, eat right, and exercise, it can lead to health issues. It may seem impossible to find the time to do it all. That’s why respite care is so valuable. You can take the time to maintain your health, catch up on medical appointments, and give yourself a little TLC. If you’re running on empty, respite care allows you to re-energize. Some rest and relaxation will help you feel better and be more effective and productive as a caregiver.
Regain Your Identity
It’s easy to lose track of your own needs and goals when you’re providing care for a loved one. Respite care allows you to take a break from your loved one and focus on yourself for a change. You can take the time to do things you enjoy, such as taking a trip, spending time with family and friends, enjoying a hobby, and more. Spending time doing things you want rather than what you have to do allows you to regain your identity. This focus on your well-being will benefit you and the loved one you’re caring for.
Engage With Others
Caregiving can be a very lonely and isolating experience. Social isolation is a common problem for caregivers and can harm your health and emotional well-being. It’s important to spend time with others. Respite care allows you the opportunity to reach out and visit with family and friends.
Keeping Things in Perspective
When you’re providing care for a loved one day after day, it’s easy to lose perspective on other things in life. Respite care for your loved one in a senior living community can help you keep things in perspective. Things that seemed impossible or overwhelming may seem more manageable after a period of rest. It can help you become more organized and find better ways to handle your day-to-day responsibilities. Taking the opportunity to reset and put things in perspective can be a big benefit for you and the one you care for.
Getting Some Support
Caring for another person can be demanding, stressful work. If you’re on your own, you may feel alone and unsupported in all you do. No one should have to care for a loved one without any support. Respite care can provide the help and support you need.
You can talk to the respite care professionals about the types of respite care they offer and what will benefit you most. They can answer your questions and help ease your mind if you have doubts about leaving your loved one in respite care. A quality senior living community will work with you to ensure your loved one gets exceptional care while you get the downtime you desperately need.
Reduce Tension
If you’re taking care of your loved one, you probably spend a lot of time with them. This can cause a bit of tension and you may both benefit from some time apart. Some caregivers live in stressful situations and it’s hard to attend to someone else’s needs day in and day out. This can lead to burnout and depression if you don’t take action. Respite care gives you and your loved one a break. You can refresh, revive, and relieve any tension you’re experiencing.
Find the Best Senior Living Respite Care
Providing excellent care is rewarding and admirable, but it’s exhausting as well. You deserve time to re-energize and focus on your health and well-being. Validus Senior Living provides short-term relief for primary caregivers. This lets you take a much-needed break from your caregiving duties
Whatever reason you have for choosing respite care, we’re here to support you and provide top-notch care for your loved one. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to schedule a tour.
