Your first thought as a caregiver is that respite care is all about giving you a break. While it’s true you need time off from your duties, it helps to know your senior parent also benefits from this type of care. There are many reasons respite care is beneficial to seniors, and these are the top five benefits that make it clear why having another caregiver drop by enhances your loved one’s wellbeing.
1. Stay Safer at Home
Your parent may have been left alone on occasion so you could handle other things. While this might have worked in the past, the likelihood of having an accident increases as your loved one ages or develops new health conditions. At a certain point, you need a professional caregiver to stay with your loved one, even for short periods. A respite caregiver can prevent your loved one from wandering off or getting hurt while you do things such as running to the store or going to the gym.
When they’re looking for reliable, high-quality senior home care, La Mesa families can trust Coast Care Partners. All our caregivers are expertly trained to assist aging adults with a wide variety of tasks, including preparing nutritious meals, bathing, dressing, exercising, and light housekeeping.
2. Catch New Symptoms Earlier
It becomes difficult to notice new symptoms when you see your loved one every day. For instance, you may not notice he or she is forgetting things more often, or you may think his or her shuffling gait has always been there. Respite caregivers may only see their senior clients a few times a week, which makes it easier for them to notice subtle differences that might be overlooked when they first appear. Catching new symptoms early gives your loved one better chances for successful treatment of a serious health condition.
3. Make a New Friend
It’s never too late to make new friends, but seniors often discover it does become more difficult after retirement. With the help of a caregiver, your parent gets the chance to spend time with someone new during your respite. A professional home caregiver is always ready to laugh at your loved one’s jokes or engage in activities that make your parent smile. Having this extra person in his or her social network also gives your loved one a sense of security and comfort that comes from feeling cared about.
4. Enjoy Happier Family Relationships
You need a break from your duties, and needing time to yourself isn’t selfish. Instead, self-care allows you to have a better mindset during the times you take care of your loved one. When you’re well rested and not worried about your other responsibilities piling up, you can focus on enjoying the time you have with your loved one. Your loved one benefits emotionally when you’re able to avoid getting frustrated at his or her attempts at independence.
5. Learn New Ways to Manage Daily Challenges
You likely took on your caregiving role with minimal knowledge regarding how to help your loved one as he or she ages. While you do your best to try to research ideas, you may still come up empty when it comes to solving daily problems. Respite caregivers are trained in how to manage common challenges seniors face. From showing them how to use special tools to pull up their socks to placing dishes on a lower shelf, respite caregivers can show seniors what to do to make life easier.
Family caregivers need to care for themselves, too. If you’re a family caregiver who’s feeling overwhelmed, you can benefit from hiring a professional caregiver to provide respite care. La Mesa, CA, families can avoid caregiver burnout by turning to Coast Care Partners. One of our highly trained caregivers can assist your loved one at home while you go to work, take a vacation, or attend to other important responsibilities. Reach out to us today at 619-354-2544 to schedule a free in-home consultation.
