What is Respite Care and why do I need it?
Respite Care is a period of rest or a break from your care responsibilities of supporting an older person. The aim of respite care is to nurture and rejuvenate yourself because it is not possible to ‘give’ all the time. Petria King says you care best when you are giving from your ‘overflow’, not when you have ‘nothing left to give’. We can provide respite in your home or take your loved one out. Your respite care break may be a few hours, a few days, a few weeks or a few months at a time, depending on what you need to rejuvenate yourself.
Carer Tip: If you live with the older person, Daughterly Care strongly recommends you plan for every service we provide as your respite care break so you stay strong and fresh. Please don’t get your spouse, parent showered, dressed and ready for us to arrive. That’s our role. You get yourself ready to go, hand over to us and then leave straight away so you maximise your respite care break.
For most people, caring for an older person requires a great deal of physical, mental and emotional energy and there is no getting around the fact that it is emotionally taxing because its a loved family member. Respite Care is very important as it gives family carers the opportunity to nurture themselves, which is something a carer often overlooks. Respite care services can be varied in length and type, depending on what suits you and your Loved One’s personal needs.
At Daughterly Care we believe every service we provide should be a respite care break.
When you take regular respite care breaks, your role as a carer becomes even more rewarding. For most people, caring for an Elder involves a great deal of physical, mental and emotional energy.
Respite Care is very important as it gives family carers the opportunity to nurture themselves, which is something a carer often overlooks. Respite services can be varied in length and type, depending on what suits you and your Loved One’s personal needs.
Here are a few examples of the ways in which our clients use our Respite Care services:
The more rested and fulfilled you feel, the easier it is to continue providing the necessary care to your Loved One. It’s more than having a break, it’s about doing things you need to do, in order to take care of yourself. This will allow you (the carer) to create really joyful moments that you can look forward to and reflect back on. Respite care breaks energise you.
Respite Care is a part of our Joyful Living Approach ™, which we strongly believe provides a positive impact. It’s really important for your soul, it increases your resilience, your heart and brain health being and your ability to carry on caring for your Loved One.
It is also highly possible that your Loved One will appreciate a break from you. Your Loved One will enjoy different conversations, the company of different personalities and activities.
“I hadn’t played tennis or had lunch with my friends for 6 years”.
Suzie* of Mosman, On Sydney’s Lower North Shore, returned home from her first respite care break in 6 years, and rang our Registered Nurse. Suzie said “when I got home I asked Bob* how his time with you had been and he said you were lovely and wanted to know when you would be back? I took that as a very good sign that he enjoyed his time with you. That was the first time in 6 years that I played tennis and had lunch with my friends. I even had a glass of wine. I’ve really missed my friends.”
Bob of Mosman has Parkinson’s.
Symptoms that indicate you need a respite break include:
A carer who is burnt-out makes quality care giving very difficult, if not impossible.
It can lead to resentment on the part of the carer, neglect of other family members and depression.
What makes me a ‘Carer’, this is family – isn’t it?
Not everyone considers the time they spend providing support and care as ‘care giving.’ However, you are indeed a family carer if you provide support and care for a family member who is frail or unwell. This care includes assistance with activities of daily living such as personal care, safe mobilisation, companionship, assisting our client to prepare a meal, shopping and light domestic assistance. Any tasks that you would normally do with your Loved One.
How can Daughterly Care help me?
Daughterly Care has over 200 professionally trained Caregivers, from whom to choose the person that is “just right” for you.
A respite care break can take different forms. In home respite care services usually involves a trained professional Caregiver, who comes into the home to do all the activities and tasks that the main carer would normally do in that time. We maintain the older person’s normal routine.
Our most common respite care break is a regular 2 hour break each week, or 2 or 3 times a week. It can also be overnight care to give you a good night’s sleep or even 24 hour Live In Care to give you take a longer break. Daughterly Care’s 200 Caregivers are supported by a team of Care Managers and Registered Nurses who are available around the clock for advice and support.
We provide a care routine based around the information you provide us and the needs of your Loved One, so our Caregiver can provide the best quality care possible.
We are more than happy to discuss your individual respite care break needs over the phone. Then we can provide a obligation and cost free home visit from one of our Registered Nurses. Don’t hesitate, ring us today and put a regular respite care break you need for your health, and that you deserve. Ring us today on 9970 7333
NOTE: *Not the client’s real name, however, they are our client and, the feedback and experience is true.