September 22, 2011

Respite allows for relief from the daily responsibilities of family caregiving. Although there are different approaches to respite care, all have the same basic objective: to provide caregivers with care that is planned, temporary, intermittent and substitute.

Giving the gift of respite care could be one of the greatest gifts you have ever given. To know what works best for your family situation, learn about the types of respite care available:

  • An adult day center: Taking the care recipient away to a safe environment once or twice a week can provide many benefits.
  • The home of the person being cared for: This is the most typical type of respite care, and the least disruptive to the care recipient.
  • A residential setting such as an assisted living facility or nursing home: Depending on the level of care need, this may be a possibility for a few days or during a caregiver vacation.
  • A vacation setting: In-home care, wherever “home” is, can be arranged.

For many, staying in the home is the best and easiest option. In-home respite care usually involves the following types of services:

  • Companionship: Having another person to supervise and monitor the situation while just talking/listening to the client allows the caregiver some quality time away.
  • Personal care: This involves bathing, shampooing, skin and mouth care, shaving and dressing, so that the care recipient presents less responsibilities that day for the caregiver.
  • Homemaking: Meal preparation, shopping, cleaning and laundry services allow for a needed break.
  • Skilled care services: Administering medications, providing therapy and noting changes in the loved one’s condition for professionals to review can help with consistent care.

Effective, sustainable caregiving depends on meeting caregiver’s needs for nurture, reassurance, support and respite. By accepting respite care from an in-home care agency, caregivers can better concentrate on also being a parent, a spouse, and a child of their parent. Whether for a few hours a day or as an ongoing relief, whenever respite is needed, Continuum can be there. Contact us today at (314) 863-9912 to find out how easy and comforting it can be to have assisted home care in St. Louis!