Why Respite Care is Important For Family Caregivers

Tracy Martin Corporate Director of Sales and Marketing-

Respite Care is a service that we provide that a lot of folks don’t know about. This blog post will focus on educating you about what respite care is and why it’s so important that as a caregiver you take time for yourself. But we want you to know, it is also a great opportunity for your loved one to experience something new. Getting away from their normal routine, making friends, and experiencing something new and different is also a benefit of respite care. Our hope is this service will renew you and your loved one.

Having close family relationships is something most people view as a priority. As members of your family start to age, they will need more help. Studies show that over 9 million American citizens act as family caregivers.

The average family caregiver makes a lot of sacrifices to ensure their ailing loved one is cared for properly. There will come a time when the work involved in caring for an aging family member becomes overwhelming. When faced with feelings of helplessness and stress, you need to reach out to a senior housing community that provides respite care.

Respite care is designed to provide an elderly person’s regular caregiver a break. Here are some reasons why using a professional respite care service is beneficial for family caregivers.

Take Care of Your Physical Health

There is no denying that full-time caregiving can be physically taxing. In a recent poll, over 60% of family caregivers were found to have at least one disability or chronic condition. If you are not getting routine breaks from the grueling work involved in caring for an elderly family member, it is only a matter of time before this catches up with you.

If you spend all of your time focused on the health needs of your ailing loved one, you will lose sight of your own health. Rather than dealing with the problems, this can cause, you need to schedule a break. With the help of a respite care service, you can schedule appointments with your primary care physician to get an accurate picture of how healthy you are.

Respite Care Can Help Reduce Your Stress Levels

For years, doctors around the world have warned people about the consequences of having high stress levels for a prolonged amount of time. Most caregivers feel like they have the weight of the world on their shoulders. If you feel like you are on the verge of becoming completely overwhelmed by your stress, it is time to seek out some help.

Getting a break with the help of a reputable respite care service, you can participate in activities that take your mind off of your caregiving responsibilities. Having even a few hours away from your job as a caregiver can help reduce stress and refocus your efforts.

Avoid Putting a Strain on Family Relationships

Providing care to an ailing family member day in and day out is difficult. In some cases, family caregivers allow their emotions and the stress of the situation to affect their relationship with family members. If you feel like you are getting a limited amount of help from other members of your family, the last thing you need to do is lash out. Reaching out to a respite care service is the best way to preserve family relationships and get the help you need.

It’s Time to Seek Out Help

If you are feeling overwhelmed by your caregiving duties, it is time to reach out to a professional for help. By making a reservation for respite care at Pomeroyliving.com for your loved one,  you can get a much-needed break.

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Manda Ayoub

Manda is a nurse and a licensed nursing home Administrator in the state of Michigan. She has worked through all aspects of the post-acute healthcare industry, holding various positions including Infection Control Nurse, In-service Director, Quality Assurance Director, Risk Manager and a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator.