Respite care is a term that refers to hiring help to relieve a family member from caregiving duties temporarily. This long-term care service involves professional caregivers helping with various tasks and daily activities in order to relieve the primary family caregiver of these responsibilities for a few hours at a time. It gives the family caregiver time to rest or take care of other life obligations while ensuring the individual receives needed care. Hiring respite care services can be a tough decision, as caregivers might be reluctant to take time for themselves or worry that others can’t care for their loved ones the way they do. Once a family caregiver chooses the right respite care provider, though, the benefits are clear — for both them and their loved one. Let’s take a look at the benefits of respite care.
Respite care reduces caregiver stress
Mental, emotional, and physical stress from caregiving are well documented. The stress occurs largely due to the unrelenting pressure and time demands of caregiving. Respite care improves well-being in several ways:
- •Depression and anxiety are associated with caregiving stress. Occasional respite allows time to reenergize, connect with others, engage in pleasurable activities, and practice self-care, which can alleviate stress’s adverse mental and emotional effects.
- •Caregiving can be physically demanding, negatively affecting caregivers in significant ways. Caregivers suffer from chronic conditions such as heart issues, arthritis, diabetes, higher levels of obesity, and body pain. Studies show that caregivers have a diminished immune response and higher levels of stress hormones. Respite allows them to manage medical appointments and comply with health care directives, including preventive care. The reduction of stress through respite care is beneficial to physical health.
- •Caregiver stress can lead to unhealthy habits, such as excessive drinking, poor nutrition, and lack of exercise. Respite gives caregivers the time to reorient their thinking and commitment toward healthy habits.
Respite care improves caregiver effectiveness
A tired, frustrated, and overwhelmed caregiver is less effective. You may think you are providing good care, but stress can cause increased frustration and even anger, which can compromise your relationship with your loved one and cause the quality of care to dip. Your loved one may also become more demanding or unreasonable. Respite allows both of you to reset by giving you some perspective, not to mention that your loved one will likely be on better behavior with other caregivers. Respite provides much-needed rejuvenation so you can return to caregiving duties with a fresh perspective and enough energy to continue.
Respite service help caregivers maintain relationships
Caregiving can make you feel there is never enough time in the day for “you time.” However, feeling like you have a normal life can reduce your stress. The demands of caregiving can make it hard to stay connected with friends and other family members, but doing so will help improve your mental outlook and keep those relationships strong. Respite care gives you the space and time to foster and grow these relationships.
Caring for a loved one also changes the dynamic of your relationship with the person you care for. It is not unusual for caregivers to become frustrated and angry with their loved one. Caregiving can start to erode the adult child/parent relationship. If you are rested and can spend some time apart, you are more likely to sustain a positive relationship based on mutual respect.
Respite care supports your loved one’s mental health
When someone else, whether a family member or a professional home care staff member, provides care, your loved one will likely benefit in a few ways. Engagement with different people provides stimulation, variation of activities, socialization, and the opportunity to improve self-esteem. Isolation and depression are significant concerns for older adults. Interacting with a variety of people can prevent loneliness and alleviate some symptoms of depression.
The senior has more than one caregiver
Respite care, by definition, offers caregiver backup when you need it. The benefit of having a reliable and dependable person to care for your loved one when you cannot is invaluable. If you don’t have a backup, you are more likely to care for someone when you are sick or mentally and emotionally exhausted. You are also unlikely to prioritize your own physical and emotional health needs if you feel there is no time to do so. Knowing you have backup can help you learn to better care for yourself, which will also benefit your loved one.
Respite care helps caregivers maintain employment
One of the devastating possible consequences of family caregiving is a reduction or loss of employment. The financial impact of decreased or lost employment can be difficult to manage, and reentering the workforce after taking an extended break for caregiving can be challenging. Establishing structured and routine respite care can allow you to maintain your career and professional relationships. There is a cost to respite care, but the benefits may outweigh the loss of income and valuable work connections.
Benefits of respite care for caregivers and their loved ones
Though hiring respite care will involve costs, you will do both yourself and your loved one a favor. For all the moments you care for and support your parent or loved one, you deserve to take time for yourself and your other life commitments. When you choose respite care, you also make the times that you care for your parent more fulfilling and special. The benefits of respite care are undeniable.
