In the United States alone, there are over 41.8 million adults who currently hold some type of caregiving role. Compared to just a few years ago, many caregiving adults today provide care to multiple people at once. Most adult caregivers are not paid or compensated for the care they provide, either.
While caregiving can be exceptionally fulfilling, it’s no secret that it can also be taxing on your own life. This is where respite care can be an absolute lifesaver for caregivers of all capacities.
But what exactly is respite care and what can you expect from this service? Read on to learn more.
Respite Care 101: How Does It Work?
All caregivers need a break, no matter the scope or capacity of care they offer. In fact, it’s one of the most important things any caregiver should prioritize in their life — downtime. This is because caregiver burnout is a very real thing and catches up with you when you least expect it.
So, how does respite care work?
It’s a short-term option for substitute care. It allows caregivers to take some time off, replacing their services with temporary relief in the form of substitute care. In short, you can hire temporary care for a day, a weekend, a few days, or even as long as several weeks or months.
The overall premise of respite care is to help caregivers maintain a positive outlook on their caregiving duties. It also helps them manage stress levels, and take some time to prioritize their own personal responsibilities.
In many cases, caregivers may enlist respite care expertise so that they can take some time to work outside their home. They may need to simply run errands or just have some ”me” time. Essentially, this provides a sense of balance in a caregiver’s life. Respite care is also very useful in emergency situations, i.e. when a caregiver injures themselves or falls ill.
What Type of Services Can You Expect?
The great thing about respite care is that you can choose from a range of services. Most of the time, the caregiving is tailored to suit the exact needs of each specific client. There are several different levels of care that you can expect:
- Basic supervision or companionship — this is ideal if your loved one can still take care of themselves, but you don’t want to leave them at home alone
- ADLS — activities of daily living which are essential tasks that your loved one may not be able to do themselves, i.e. bathing, eating, or dressing
- Medical care tasks — most respite care services include basic medical care, such as wound care and administering medications. But if you require more advanced care, opt for a provider that provides this service
- Simple household tasks — respite caregivers help around your home and complete tasks such as light cleaning, organization, doing your laundry, and grocery shopping
- Meal preparation — you can expect most respite services to offer assistance with all meal preparation throughout the day
- Transportation — if your loved one needs to be at an appointment, respite care offers the reliable support you need to get them to and fro
Finally, you can also expect respite caregivers to offer the same individualized attention that you would give your loved one. It’s a one-on-one care service that fully focuses on a senior’s needs, centered on respect, compassion, and empathy.
Find the Respite Care You Need With Crane Home Care
Whether you’re a full-time or part-time caregiver, you always deserve a break. If you’re looking for reliable, compassionate, and experienced respite care in the Buffalo and Rochester regions, Crane Home Care is here for you.
Learn more about our respite care offering today and get the well-deserved time off that you need.