Caring for your loved one at home offers them independence and comfort, but it doesn’t come without its challenges. As a caretaker, you may not always be able to provide support to your loved one. Life can get hectic, and you may need to take time off for a work trip, or even just a mental break. At Gallagher Home Care, we understand how crazy life can get, which is why we offer respite care for you to take time off while your loved one is left in good hands. You may not even realize it, but not taking time away can lead to burnout, conflict, and more, so we’ve compiled a list of 4 benefits of respite care.
Relaxation
When you’re caring for an ill or elderly loved one, it can be hard to take time for yourself. It’s easy for stress to build up when you are constantly worried about caring for someone other than yourself. When you utilize respite care, you can take time to decompress. Taking a walk, getting a massage, enjoying time with friends or doing anything that brings you joy can greatly improve your stress level. When you’re able to rest, you can have a clear mind and re-energize. After all, if you are not taking good care of yourself, you can’t take good care of your loved one!
Reduced Conflict Between Caregivers and Loved Ones
Who doesn’t experience some friction or bumping of heads when they are spending all of their time together? When you accept outside help from respite care providers, both you and your loved one can get some space from one another. Instead of growing tired of one another, you can focus on yourself from time to time, while your loved one receives care from someone else. When you return to your caregiving responsibilities, both of you will feel refreshed and ready to spend more time with one another.
Keeping Your Sense of Identity
When caring for an elderly loved one, it is common for caregivers to push off their own identity and allow their worlds to revolve around that of their loved one. It is important that you make an effort to preserve your own sense of identity while you care for your loved one. With respite care, you can find a balance between your personal life and your caregiving responsibilities. Whether that is participating in activities you enjoy or attending support groups, you will have time to reclaim your identity and keep it separate.
Assistance and Support
Often, family members who are caring for their elderly loved ones have to go it alone. They may not have any experience in caregiving, yet they have to learn to do it on their own. With respite care, not only do we provide care for your loved one when you are away, but we can offer you help and support while you are fulfilling your caregiving duties. Whether you need an extra pair of hands or some tips over the phone, we have got you covered. Taking care of an ill or elderly loved one is a difficult task, and it shouldn’t be done without support. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help when taking care of your loved one.
At Gallagher Home Care, we know that life can be stressful, demanding, and come with unexpected challenges. As you care for your loved one, it is okay to take a break to improve not only your quality of life, but your loved one’s as well. When you utilise respite care, your elderly loved one can still receive care from the comfort of their own home while you get your personal affairs in order.
Gallagher Home Care is a Medicare-certified home health agency that serves across 8 Pennsylvania counties. Our employees are dedicated to providing exceptional, compassionate care to seniors while allowing them to keep their independence. We provide respite care, companion care, housekeeping, home safety monitoring, and even provide free in-home evaluations for new families. Request an appointment online or call (412) 453-8082 to learn more.
