If you’re responsible for the care of an older adult, you understand the critical role you play in their lives. You also likely understand the common difficulties of an ongoing caregiving routine. Sometimes, you may just need a break from caring for a senior adult. How can you do this while ensuring that your loved one still gets the care they need? One recommended option is taking advantage of senior respite care services designed for people in your situation.
To learn about ways to find caregiving breaks, contact Parkway Place at 281.305.1846. Our senior respite care services understand the challenges of caregiving and are here to help.
Common Responsibilities for Those Caring for Seniors
Millions of Americans are caregivers for a loved one over the age of 64. You may provide care for a senior loved one experiencing issues with their physical health. You may also have a loved one affected by dementia or another mental health issue. Whatever your reason for providing care, your daily responsibilities may include helping with things such as:
- Grooming, bathing, and dressing
- Shopping
- Food prep
- Transportation and other kinds of mobility assistance
- Laundry
- Medication management
You may also be a crucial source of emotional support or general companionship.
Burnout and the Need for a Caregiving Break
Many family caregivers burn out sooner or later. It is natural to experience significant amounts of mental, physical, or emotional exhaustion. How can you tell if caregiver burnout is happening to you? Telltale signs of its presence include recurring or ongoing feelings of:
- Fatigue
- Extreme stress
- Anxiousness
- Sadness or depression
You may also find yourself withdrawing from life outside of your caregiving responsibilities.
Burnout is not a trivial matter. Eventually, it can lead to serious issues with your mental or physical well-being. You can avoid these kinds of issues by taking a senior caregiving break. A break from caring for a senior gives you time to rest and recharge. In this way, you not only look out for your own welfare. You also improve your chances of providing effective care for your senior loved one.
How Can You Safely Take a Break from Caring for a Senior Loved One – Respite Care
You may feel guilty about needing a caregiving break. You may also worry about the impact on your loved one’s well-being if you take such a break. That’s where respite care programs come in.
These programs are offered by some full-service senior care providers. They’re designed to let you safely take a caregiving break. During your break from senior care, you temporarily step away from your duties. Your loved one enters a short-term program that provides the round-the-clock benefits of expert support. Some respite care programs provide onsite support in your home. Others provide services at their facility. Either approach can work if you want to take a break from caring for a senior.
When your respite care program ends, you return to your normal responsibilities. You’ll almost certainly feel more able to meet those responsibilities. And you’ll know that your loved one was well cared for in the interim.
Call Parkway Place to Start Your Break from Senior CareÂ
Knowing when to take a break from senior care can be vital for you and your loved one. By stepping away at the right time, you can avoid the worsening effects of caregiver burnout. At the same time, help from a respite care program gives your loved one the ongoing support they need.
Respite care is just one of the important services we provide at Parkway Place. Need to take a timely break from your everyday senior caregiving routine? Just call us today at 281.305.1846 or fill out our online form.