While professional caregivers, in-home nurses, and others provide necessary care for many who need it, the true backbone of the in-home care industry are the unpaid family caregivers. These loved ones give up their time and often their careers to provide care. These individuals often aren’t even seen as caregivers – they’re just people stepping up to do what others expect of them. Whether you’re taking care of an aging parent, a special needs child, a partner who has a chronic illness or disability, or other person who needs care, you’re a caregiver, and that means you’ve dedicated your life to helping someone.
That also means that you’re giving up a lot of your own time and energy to provide this care, and that can be exhausting. You’re likely struggling with your own needs, whether they’re to do with your health, your finances, or simply your level of energy, stress, and isolation. Feeling exhausted and wanting a break from caregiving doesn’t mean you’re a failure or that you don’t love the person enough. It means you’re in a demanding role, a role that can be even worse if you’re a parent to other children or are also working while caregiving.
If you’re feeling tired and have noticed that you’re ignoring your own needs, we can help. Let’s take a look at what Reliant’s respite care services can do for you and the many benefits it provides.
Understanding the Caregiver’s Burden
Caregiving is more than just helping out your loved one every now and then. It’s constantly worrying about their safety and their health. It’s being with them every day, sometimes for the entire day. It’s managing their medications, their doctor’s appointments, and much more. You’re essentially running two households, and it may be very rare that you get a break. You may find that you just don’t have time for your hobbies, your personal life, or even your basic needs.
Being so focused on caregiving can leave you exhausted, which in turn can lead to chronic fatigue or, conversely, insomnia. This can lead you to being more susceptible to getting sick or developing a chronic illness. When you’re sick, you’re not able to provide the same level of care you once did, which can impact your loved one’s care.
This is related to a caregiver’s mental health. The impact of caregiving on a person’s mental health can be considerable. You may experience high amounts of stress and anxiety, both of which can lead to depression. This combines to lead to caregiver burnout, which can leave you exhausted, overwhelmed, and even physically ill.
On top of these feelings, many caregivers feel guilty. They feel like they aren’t doing enough, especially if their loved one’s health takes a turn for the worse. They feel bad every time they’re not providing care, even when they’re doing important tasks related to their career, their other family members, or their own health. This guilt often leads to them overcompensating and dropping their hobbies, their friends, and other activities, increasing the feeling of being isolated.
Unveiling the “Hidden” Benefits of Respite Care
Why should you choose respite care? There are a number of benefits in addition to getting relief and the opportunity to rest. Here are some of the positive but somewhat hidden benefits of respite care:
For the Caregiver: Mental & Emotional Rest
The mental and emotional exhaustion that can come from being a caregiver is immense. Fortunately, thanks to respite care, you can have time to rest and unwind. Here are some ways respite care helps with mental and emotional stress.
- It prevents burnout – Respite care can be considered a form of preventative medicine. By stepping away for a break, even if it’s just for a few hours, you can disengage from your role as caregiver. You can take a moment to rest and refill your energy supply, helping you avoid exhaustion.
- Reduce stress and anxiety – Simply having time off to stop stressing can be incredibly helpful. Lowering your stress and anxiety can lead to improved sleep and better mental clarity. You don’t have to do anything special to lower your stress, either. Taking a nap, going for a walk, meeting a friend for coffee…all of these things can help you deal with chronic stress.
- Rekindle and strengthen your relationships – Being a caregiver is going to put stress on your other relationships. When you have a respite provider, you can take the time to focus on these relationships. You can spend time with your partner, your children, and your friends without worrying about what’s happening with your loved one. This helps to combat the feelings of isolation and depression that many caregivers experience.
- Focus on your own care – Respite caregivers often find themselves ignoring their own health issues. Whether it’s a headache or an ache in your joints, you shouldn’t ignore these issues, especially if they’re recurring. Respite care gives you time to schedule your own doctor appointments and to simply take time to work on your own health. Whether it’s catching up on sleep, getting a massage, or simply taking time to read a book, it’s essential that you rest and keep yourself healthy.
- Get a fresh perspective – Sometimes, stepping away from a situation can help you see it with clear eyes. This can be true for caregiving. Taking a break may help you see ways you can improve your loved one’s day or make their home a little safer. It can help you come at difficult conversations with a new perspective and renewed patience.
- Alleviate your guilt – Many caregivers feel guilty when they take a break, but they shouldn’t Framing it as a component of sustainable caregiving can help. You’re not leaving your loved one on their own or with someone unqualified or unfamiliar with their care. You’re trading off with a professional caregiver so you can recharge and return to your loved one with renewed energy. This can help alleviate those feelings of guilt.
Benefits for Your Loved Ones
While much of respite care is focused on the caregiver, your loved one will also see some benefits:
- Improved care – A refreshed, professional caregiver is going to be able to provide compassionate care to your loved one. Caregivers who are less stressed can provide more effective care.
- New interaction – Talking to other people can help individuals with memory challenges or who feel isolated. Your loved one may enjoy new social engagements because they help reduce their daily monotony or feeling of isolation.
- Provide routine – Professional caregivers can help ensure that your loved one’s routines are followed and that their care plan has no gaps in it. This is often crucial for their well-being, comfort, and health.
Your Entire Family Benefits, Too
Your entire family can also benefit from respite care in a few ways.
First, your family bond can be strengthened by spending time together. If you’re can take a break from caregiving every now and then, you can reduce your overall stress levels and spend time with others. This can result in less friction and misplaced anger and stress, resulting in stronger relationships with others.
The second family benefit is long-term sustainability. Burnt out caregivers often reach a breaking point where they simply give up and look for any way out. This could result in sending your loved one to a care facility or finding another loved one who isn’t as dedicated to provide care. By preventing burnout, you’ll be able to sustain home care longer. This can help keep your loved one happy and avoid increased care costs.
Demystifying Respite Care: What It Looks Like
One thing to note is that respite care, like all care options, is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It needs to be personalized for you, your loved one, and your family.
The basis of in-home respite care involves a professional caregiver coming to your home to provide care while you, the primary caregiver, are away. They can stay with your loved one for a few hours while you run to an appointment or for the entire day. You can even have respite caregivers come for an entire week if you need them.
Care is tailored to your loved one’s particular needs. Whether they’re an elderly individual who needs help walking or a young child with special needs who requires assistance eating, a respite care professional can help. They will work closely with you and your loved one’s care team to understand exactly what services are needed and what routines your loved one has.
Taking the First Step: How Reliant Home Care Services Can Help
Respite care is a vital part of caregiving. If you don’t have the time to work on your own mental and physical health, you can’t provide the best care to your loved one. Taking a break every now and then will allow you to return to your care duties with renewed energy. It’s not selfish to put your own well-being first, especially when you start feeling burnt out.
If you’re feeling exhausted and need a little help, Reliant is here for you. Reach out today to learn more about our flexible respite care options.
