Caring for a loved one is a full-time, round-the-clock job. Family carers are often unpaid and juggling other responsibilities such as their home, family and, in many cases, a full-time job.
Caring for a loved one can be rewarding, but also very challenging. It’s normal and necessary to take a break.
Respite care is a way to give live-in carers a short break from their responsibilities. This could be for a few hours to a few weeks, on a weekly basis or yearly. It enables the carer to do anything from attending appointments or running errands, to a much needed family holiday. Here we will discuss what respite care is, who can benefit from it and how you can get it.
What is respite care?
Respite care is where a live-in carer hands over their caring responsibilities to another carer to allow them time to do other things. This can be a few hours once a week to run errands or take time for self-care. Or it may be for two weeks twice a year for a much needed holiday. Respite care can be tailored to meet the needs of the carer and the person receiving care.
Respite care comes in many different ways including:
- Friends and family
- Home care providers
- Residential care homes
- Day centres
- Individual carers
It can be government funded or privately funded depending on the circumstances. Find out more about a care needs assessment here.
Who can benefit from respite care
Caring for a loved one full-time is a huge responsibility, but it can be extremely difficult and stressful. Even more so if you are one of the ‘sandwich generation’ caring for both the young and the elderly (or spouse) in your family.
The day-to-day pressures a carer faces – along with oftentimes neglected self-care – can lead to burnout. Carer depression is more common than you may think, with 71% of carers reporting poor physical or mental health. Overwhelm, frustration, and anxiety are common, and over time, this can damage the caregiver’s own health.
Providing a safe environment for your loved one allows the carer to step back and focus on themselves or other family members for a while. This can make a significant difference in your overall mental and physical well-being.
What care can respite care provide
The exact care provided will depend on the individual needs and situation. But generally, any tasks that are required for keeping the client safe and healthy.
These include:
- Personal care needs – bathing, dressing, using the bathroom, etc.
- Household tasks – chores, meal preparation, laundry.
- Transport to medical appointments as necessary.
- Any care related to health conditions that are usually provided at home, medications.
- Companionship
Where to find respite care
Eximius can provide respite care for short-term breaks for carers, or following a hospital stay, operation, or illness, or even as a trial run for live-in care. We also understand the toll that night time care can take on our clients and their families and our live-in night care service can alleviate this strain.
Choosing the correct care is an important decision, and our experienced team is here to help every step of the way. If you or a loved one would like to understand more about any of our live-in care services, please get in contact. We’d love to help.
For further information on other types of respite care and funding options, visit the NHS Carers’ breaks and respite care.
The right respite care can enable you to provide the best care for your loved one, always.