Respite Care for Family Caregiver Wellness

Caregiving is such an act of devotion, especially when family caregivers are able to put their all into caring for the seniors they love. The big problem is that when family caregivers put that much effort, time, and energy into caregiving, they tend to ignore their own needs and their own well-being suffers. Respite care offers a valuable opportunity for family caregivers to prioritize self-care and come back to caregiving ready to go again.

Learning More About Respite Care

Respite care involves professional caregivers coming to visit seniors on a schedule determined by seniors and family caregivers. This respite time might involve a few hours or a whole day at a time. Professional caregivers offer assistance with hands-on tasks, like helping seniors prepare lunch or assisting with light household tasks. Family caregivers can leave for a while, because seniors have someone there with them.

Why Self-care Matters for Family Caregivers

Caregiving is a big job, no matter how much family caregivers love the seniors they’re caring for. If family caregivers are not taking time for self-care, they’re more likely to end up feeling run down and fatigued. They may be ignoring their own health issues and they may not have time for their own hobbies and social activities. Taking time away because home care providers are there with aging adults is a great way to help family caregivers regain perspective.

Taking Small Steps

Getting back into self-care can feel overwhelming for family caregivers at first, especially if they haven’t paid attention to this detail in a while. Small steps taken consistently can make a difference pretty quickly. Scheduling regular breaks and letting home care providers take over for an afternoon every week is a good start. Continuing with these plans offers benefits over the long run.

How Respite Supports Family Caregivers

Respite care offers peace of mind for family caregivers. They know that the seniors they love are with professional caregivers. Family caregivers can focus on what they need, without having to worry about those activities interfering in their senior’s routines. Seniors have help with all sorts of tasks, including specialized care related to their individual needs.

Building Long-term Plans for Self-care

All too often family caregivers avoid taking time away from caregiving because they feel guilty for being away. It’s really important for family caregivers to remember that self-care is an important part of caregiving. When they build a long-term plan for prioritizing self-care, family caregivers and seniors both know what to expect. This helps family caregivers set healthy boundaries with caregiving and ensures that seniors have respite care help when family members are away.

Respite care is a powerful solution for family caregivers who want to create more space for self-care and personal wellness. Taking regular, intentional steps toward better self-care helps family caregivers make positive changes that benefit themselves and the aging adults that they love. Self-care is not a selfish act. For family caregivers, it’s an essential step in remaining healthy enough to keep being a family caregiver.

If you or an aging loved one are considering respite care in Yonkers, NY, please contact the caring staff at Griswold Home Care for Scarsdale & Yonkers today. (914) 337-5028.