When a loved one who needs help with daily living tasks can receive it from a family member, that is ideal. There is the comfort of familiarity. This is a difficult enough stage without having to trust and get to know a stranger. This special care may even lead to a deeper bond.
Even the most devoted caregiver needs a break, though, to step away and then come back refreshed. This is where respite care comes in.
A well-deserved break
Respite care can take a number of forms, depending on the amount of time needed and the frequency. It can take place in the home or off site.
In the home, respite care can be provided by a number of home health care services. It could be as short as a couple of hours on an occasional basis, or it could be a regularly scheduled break—every Thursday afternoon, for example.
There also are respite centers, sometimes called adult cay care. At these, the patient is brought to a center that provides meals and basic help with daily tasks. Activities such as crafts and simple exercise help fill the day.
Finally, some facilities will offer overnight respite care so that caregivers have an option in case of emergency or even take a vacation. These often are affiliated with nursing homes, so some medical assistance is available if needed.
Source:aoa.gov
Source:payingforseniorcare.com
