An Explanation of Respite Care 

by | Feb 20, 2023 | Home Care

Respite care involves hiring a professional caregiver to come into a senior’s home and provide assistance. Families are able to customize the extent of assistance an older loved one needs and the type of care provided. Respite care offers many benefits for both family members and their elderly parents. 

Seniors Requiring Assistance

There are many reasons seniors might need assistance from respite care providers. The many diagnoses caregivers have experience with include: 

• Blindness or limited vision 

• Cancer 

• Dementia 

• Fracture recovery 

• Stroke 

• Traumatic brain injury 

When researching agencies that provide elderly home care, families are usually looking for flexible care plans, compassionate and highly trained caregivers, and 24/7 availability. Whether you need respite care to take a break from your caregiving duties or your senior loved one needs around-the-clock assistance at home, you can rely on InCasa Home Care Services.

Types of Care Provided

Experienced, trained respite caregivers often serve as companions to sit and talk with seniors. In the event seniors are physically fatigued or disabled, caregivers may assist them with any number of tasks, including: 

• Getting in or out of bed 

• Dressing 

• Bathing 

• Feeding 

• Toileting 

• Providing medication reminders 

• Assisting with exercise or therapy regimens 

• Venturing outdoors 

Adaptable Care

Respite caregivers assist clients day or night. Their services may be required for a few hours during the day, or they may visit a few days a week or on weekends. On the other hand, a caregiver might be needed to stay overnight to ensure the senior’s safety. 

Families have the option of hiring respite care services based on the specific needs of the senior or the family caregiver. The level of care provided may also be adjusted when the senior’s condition gets better or worsens. 

Family Caregiver Relief

Thousands of family members provide care to older loved ones. However, at some point, caregivers need time off for illness, emergencies, or to take care of other responsibilities. Family caregivers might need to be away for a few hours to run errands, or they may take time off for a vacation. Without time for themselves, family caregivers are highly susceptible to burnout. 

Family caregivers sometimes need a break from their caregiving responsibilities. When they need senior home care, Edmonton families can rely on professional caregivers to help their senior loved ones remain safe at home.

Professional Advice

It’s not unusual for families to gain much-needed advice and knowledge from professional caregivers regarding caring for their elderly loved ones. The skills respite caregivers possess enable them to pass on information that makes family caregivers’ jobs easier. 

If family members haven’t acquired basic caregiving instruction, they benefit from the knowledge a professional caregiver has obtained from years of experience. Families might learn how to handle the challenging behaviours of a loved one with dementia or more effective ways of assisting a bedbound loved one with position changes. 

Senior Benefits

Housebound seniors often have little opportunity for socialization. Respite care enables older adults to broaden their social circles by having regular visits from new people. When family members spend every day and night together, their relationship may become strained. Having an outside caregiver enter the picture provides the senior and the family caregiver a break from each other, which strengthens their bond. The senior may also have the chance to indulge in new activities introduced by a respite caregiver. 

Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted Edmonton elder care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. InCasa Home Care Services is here to help. Call one of our Care Managers at 780-604-9688 to learn about our customized in-home care plans.

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