What Are the Top Benefits of Respite Care?

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Respite care is an essential tool you should have as a caregiver. While it sometimes seems as though taking a break is a luxury, the truth is it’s necessary. As you read through these benefits of respite care, remember that knowing when to take a brief step away from your duties is a sign of strength.

Staying Involved in Your Community

Social engagement is an essential component of emotional health. Whether you miss volunteering at your child’s school or have always played a special role within your religious organization, you need to make sure to maintain your social life. Spending time with people outside of the house can preserve your self-identity and lift your spirits.

Respite care allows caregivers to rejuvenate and return to their caregiving commitments with dedication and energy. Families looking for top-rated Richmond elderly home care providers can reach out to Home Care Assistance. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.

Maintaining Your Physical Health

Caregivers are known for skipping their own healthcare appointments when their loved one needs assistance. Make sure you don’t neglect your physical health. Hire a respite caregiver to step in and assist with your loved one’s care. Once you know your loved one is comfortable with his or her caregiver, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to go for those checkups that keep you in good health.

Preventing the Development of Bad Habits

Stress often brings on bad habits people may not usually indulge in. For instance, you may begin to drink too much in the evenings to try to compensate for a stressful day. Alternatively, you may pick up a smoking habit or eat too much junk food when you’re low on energy. With respite care, you can focus on choosing healthier habits that help you manage stress.

Respite caregivers can also motivate seniors to make healthy lifestyle changes and get rid of bad habits. Many older adults are choosing to age in place, and some need a helping hand to continue living at home safely and comfortably. Luckily, there is professional in-home care Richmond seniors can trust and rely on.

Stopping Family Squabbles

Your loved one would never want to think your family argues about his or her care. However, addressing conflicts can easily rile up old sibling rivalries. Respite care gives you a person outside of your family to call for assistance. You can find help during any hour of the day or night so no one has to debate whose turn it is to step in.

Defusing Rising Tensions

Family caregivers can often sense when things are reaching a boiling point. Perhaps your parent has been extra cranky lately, or you may have snapped one too many times over things you would typically let roll off of your back. When people spend too much time together, these types of situations happen. Taking some brief time apart can ease the tension so you get along with your loved one better.

Eliminating Guilt

Most likely, you have at least two or three things on your to-do list that aren’t getting done. Whether your pantry needs a cleanout or you haven’t been to the gym in weeks, you have other responsibilities that extend beyond taking care of your loved one’s needs. Respite care frees up some extra hours each week so you can stop feeling bad about things that aren’t getting done.

A respite caregiver can benefit seniors as well as their families and ensure their wellbeing.

Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Richmond, VA, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home. Our friendly Care Managers will be glad to answer all respite care queries you may have. To schedule a free in-home consultation, call us at (804) 207-4746.

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