Respite Care: What Is It? Why Do I Need It?

Are you taking care of a senior, a disabled person, or someone with special needs? If your answer is yes, you may be able to benefit from the respite care service provided by Caregivers Galore, a reliable provider of home care in Banning, California.

But what is respite care? How can a family caregiver benefit from it? Here are the basic things that you should know about it.

Defining Respite Care

Essentially, respite care is a temporary relief provided to a patient that allows the family caregiver to take some time off. During their time off, the family caregiver can take care of their other responsibilities, go on vacation, or visit other family or friends. With respite care, a family caregiver can focus on other things without constantly worrying about their loved one.

Why Do I Need Respite Care?

You may feel like taking care of your loved one is your sole responsibility. You dedicate your time and resources to ensure that they are well taken care of. While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to take good care of your loved one, you have to remember to take care of yourself as well.

Here are some reasons why respite care is important for caregivers and why you should consider it:

• You’ll be healthier.
  Caregiving can be stressful and exhausting – physically and mentally. Many caregivers have no vacation times and no breaks. Due to the demanding nature of their job, many caregivers often neglect their own health. However, taking some time off for physical and mental health is not a luxury, it is a necessity. If you get sick, how would you take care of your loved one? So, think of it as a preventive measure. Schedule regular time off before you get sick and burn out.
• It allows the patient to interact with others.
  By hiring a respite care provider, you provide your loved one with the opportunity to meet and interact with another person. This could be a good break both for you and the person that you are taking care of.
• You’ll be a better caregiver.
  Caregivers who are overwhelmed with their tasks are vulnerable to experiencing problems such as sleep disorders, guilt, depression, irritability, and strained relationships. As mentioned, hiring a respite care provider allows you to take a break. During this break, you can get some much-needed rest, physically and emotionally. After taking this break away from your caregiving responsibilities, you can come back feeling refreshed, rested, and with a new perspective on the situation. This allows you to be a better caregiver and provide better care.

What are your thoughts about respite care? Let us know.

Do you need professional senior care services in California? Reach out to us. Let us help you and your family.