The benefits of respite care
Are you a family caregiver in need of a break? We understand that letting a stranger care for your loved one may be accompanied by feelings of stress and guilt, but refusing to take a break can lead to burnout and ultimately, reduced quality of care. In this post, we explore the benefits of respite care in Romford and provide some information on how it can be a useful and positive experience for both you and your loved one
What is respite care?
Respite care is temporary support provided by a professional carer to support ongoing family caregiving. It aims to relieve the primary caregiver from their caring duties so that they can rest, relax and recharge their batteries. Respite care is provided in the comfort of a person’s home. This means your loved one can stay surrounded by familiarity rather than temporarily moving into a care home to receive the support they require during your absence. Although respite care is usually provided on a short-term basis, it can also be arranged for the longer term. You can choose support just for the afternoon, or for weeks at a time.
Why is respite care important?
We all need a break now and again – including carers. Caring for others is a demanding job that requires no shortage of physical, mental and emotional energy. To provide quality care, it’s essential to manage your mental health and wellbeing. Without taking the time to rest, burnout and exhaustion can result. This can lead to both you and your loved one feeling frustrated as patience, energy levels and compassion begin to wane. The reduced quality of care that results from feeling unable to take a much-needed break from care-related duties is in no one’s best interests.
The benefits of respite care
As we mentioned earlier, respite care is beneficial to both the primary caregiver and recipient of care because it allows the primary caregiver to come back feeling better than ever. Feeling energised and rejuvenated means you’ll be in the right frame of mind to provide the high standard of care your loved one deserves. When you come back from your well-deserved time off, both you and your loved one will experience a renewal of energy and a newfound appreciation for each other’s company. Just think of all the stories you’ll be able to swap!
Arranging respite care for my family
We completely understand that many family caregivers can feel guilty or selfish for taking time off but we hope the information in this blog post has assured you that taking a break is not a form of abandonment. It’s actually in the best interest of both you and your loved one. With our respite care services, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your loved one is in qualified hands even when you are not there. It’s also worth noting that depending on a needs assessment, local councils may even be able to provide financial support for respite care.
Get in touch
To learn more about our respite care services, please do not hesitate to get in touch or call us on 0800 999 3447. We’d love to answer any of your questions and provide more information on how our respite care services can help both you and your loved one.