Why Caregivers Need Respite Care

Elderly Care Northbrook IL - Why Caregivers Need Respite Care

Many family caregivers provide several hours of care each week to their older family members. Some of them even provide round-the-clock care. That can leave them with little or no time for themselves. If you are a family caregiver who is feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, you could benefit from respite care for your aging relative.  

What is Respite Care? 

Respite care is essentially a break for a family caregiver. It offers them temporary relief from their caregiver duties, so they can spend some time doing other things. Respite care can take place in a number of situations, including in the home.  

When caregivers get a break it can reduce the stress they feel from the constant work and worry involved in caring for an elderly loved one. It also helps them to regain some of their former energy and allows them to find some balance between caregiver duties and other aspects of their life.  

In addition to helping the caregiver, respite care can also be good for the older adult. It gives them a chance to spend time with another person and offers them a little variety in their normal routine.  

What Are Some Signs a Caregiver Needs Time Off? 

Caregivers sometimes suffer from something called “caregiver burnout.” It happens when they feel exhausted and overwhelmed because of the duties involved in their role. It often causes a change in attitude from feeling positive about what they are doing to a negative outlook. Some signs that you may have caregiver burnout are: 

* Being uninvolved, or withdrawn, from friends and family. 

* Showing no interest in things you used to like doing. 

* Having a generally negative outlook where you feel sad, irritable, and hopeless. 

* Eating more or less than you used to. 

* Gaining or losing weight. 

* Falling ill more often than you used to. 

* Thoughts of harming yourself or the older adult you are caring for. 

* Feeling emotionally and physically exhausted. 

* Using alcohol or sleep medications to soothe yourself. 

Does Elderly Care Offer Respite Care? 

As a matter of fact, elderly care does offer respite care! Elderly care providers can be hired to spend just a few hours per week with your older family member while you take a much-needed break. They can even spend entire days and overnight hours, too, giving you a lengthier break. While taking care of your aging relative, an elderly care provider can perform tasks like assisting the senior to take a bath, get dressed, eat meals, and use the bathroom. They can even take the senior on outings to make your break fun for your loved one, too. 

Sources: https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/home-care/info-2019/respite-care.html?intcmp=AE-HP-TTN-R2-POS1-REALPOSS-TODAY 
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/caregiving/respite-care.htm 
https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/caregiver-recognizing-burnout#1 

 If you or an aging loved one are considering Elderly Care Services in Northbrook IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823. 

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