Respite Care As a Form of Caregiver “Self Care”

As a caregiver, it’s easy to push off your own health and well-being. You may even feel stuck completing tasks and helping out your loved one with things big and small. But what happens when you’re noticing signs of burnout or want to get away for a bit? Respite care offers services and peace of mind to both you and your loved one. From a longer vacation to attending your kid’s choir performance, you can personalize the service you need.

7 Very Real Benefits of Respite Care

Just like the name implies, respite care offers a reprieve from daily caregiving duties. So, what’s the best time to opt for respite care services near you? It’s before warning signs of caregiver burnout show themselves. Unfortunately, telltale signs like irritability, lack of energy and sleep issues are easy to push to the backburner. And you’re not alone. A whopping 53 million people in the U.S. provide unpaid care to friends and family according to the Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 survey sponsored by AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving. And within this group, 61% also hold a job and 23% say their caregiving duties have made their own health worse. Burnout leaves caregivers like you stressed and depleted physically, emotionally and even financially. By opting for respite care services near you, you can access a whole host of benefits, including:

1. Time! By accepting help, you free up time to focus on the other parts of your life.
2. Gain a fresh perspective on caregiving tasks that may have you stuck in a rut.
3. Get ideas for new activities or ways of getting involved.
4. Strengthen your connection with your loved one.
5. Focus on your own health and well-being.
6. Try out senior living residences to see if it’s right for your family.
7. Engage socially without guilt — for both you and your loved one!

By allowing expert staff to take care of your loved one,  you’re taking care of you, too.

Get to Know the Types of Respite Care Services Near You

Depending on you and your family’s needs, respite care services can be a couple hours a couple times per week or up to several months. With any option, you get peace of mind knowing your loved one receives care and support. In-home services may include companionship, housekeeping and other home-based tasks like meal preparation, personal care including bathing, dressing and exercising, and skilled care for help with medications, infusions and other treatments. Adult day centers offer planned activities and programming by support staff. And depending on the location, transportation and meals may be offered, too. Residential health centers allow for overnight stays of varying lengths of time with around-the-clock skilled care. Though your loved one may need a few experiences with outside care to feel comfortable, continue to keep open lines of communication and help align needs and expectations.

Abbey Delray Respite Care Options in Palm Beach County

When you need an extended time away, consider your respite care options in Palm Beach County. Close to home at Abbey Delray, we offer 24/7 respite care services for a minimum stay of seven days in our newly expanded health center. With full access to all of our amenities, social activities and on-site chef for delicious and nutritious meals, you can rest easy knowing your loved one is cared for like one of our own. Please reach out to our helpful team to learn more about how Abbey Delrays’s respite care services can serve the needs of you and your family.