Respite Care – Why Family Caregivers Need Care Too

Everyone needs time off now and then, including family caregivers. Unfortunately, they don’t have the luxuries that many corporate employees do of mandatory breaks every four hours, paid personal time off, or paid holidays. Often, they don’t have other family members that can step in and give them a break. Thankfully, there is respite care.

What is Respite Care?

Respite care provides breaks caregivers need by placing their loved one under the temporary care of a professional caregiver for a specified period of time. That period can be for several hours a day or several days or weeks. It can be provided in various settings, such as in-home care, adult day care facilities, assisted living communities, or skilled nursing facilities.

Respite care is “care for the caregiver.” It provides caregivers with short-term relief that gives them time for much-needed and well-deserved rest and relaxation, travel, or taking care of other duties. Respite care is flexible and designed to meet the needs of both the caregiver and the care recipient.

For example, respite care can free up a family caregiver to run errands for a few hours without worrying about the safety of their loved one. They can also go out of town for several days while the care recipient receives care from a trained professional.

The Benefits of Respite Care

Respite care offers family caregivers many valuable benefits, including:

Peace of mind

Family caregivers understand their loved one’s needs better than anyone else can and having those needs met by a professional while they take a break lets them relax with the peace of mind knowing their parent or senior is being well-cared for.

Social engagement

Over time, many family caregivers become increasingly isolated and lose social connection with friends and other family members. Respite care allows family caregivers to maintain their social connections, which is vital for their mental and emotional health.

Time to rest and recharge

Being a family caregiver often turns into a 24/7 job, which makes caregivers reluctant to take a break and practice healthy self-care. Respite care provides trained, trustworthy caregivers that allow family caregivers to rest and keep stress and fatigue under control.

Makes better caregivers

A rested family caregiver better meets the needs of their care recipient. They have more energy, are more alert, and provide a higher level of care than when they feel tired and stressed. Respite care makes this possible.

Time to step out of the caregiver role

Family caregivers can become so engrossed in caregiving that they lose their sense of self. Respite care allows them to fulfill their other roles and responsibilities, which helps them maintain their sense of identity.

AmeriCare Plus: Respite Care for Families in Virginia

AmeriCare Plus provides respite care services that let family caregivers throughout Virginia rest and recharge their batteries. Our respite caregivers are available whenever you need them, whether for a few hours or around the clock.

Contact us today to learn more about respite care and the many other services we offer that allow seniors to age safely and gracefully at home.

If you’d like to find out how you can be a respite caregiver for Virginia’s fastest-growing in-home personal care and live-in agency, check out our career page. We’re hiring caregivers throughout the state of Virginia and would love to get to know you.