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Respite: Enjoy a Guilt-Free Time-Out

Respite solutions

Some short-term respite solutions include enlisting another family member, neighbor, or friend to stay with your loved one for a few hours several times a week. This offers an opportunity to the caregiver to have a “mini respite”. Activities can include, going shopping, to a movie, getting your hair done or having a pampering facial. For many who are not comfortable leaving their family member for longer than a few hours, this is an excellent way to recharge the batteries, and at the same time, do some SPECIAL for you.

Often it is just doing a little something extra like this that can make all the difference to a caregiver who is feeling the stain in all that they have to do each day.

Another option, one that I highly recommend to all caregivers is the scheduled respite in which your loved one is entrusted into the care of a respite service center, or perhaps another family member will take on the role while you have a much needed rest.

Respite centers offer temporary residents a variety of services that meet all of their needs. From around-the-clock medical care to recreational activities, vacationing family members will be put at ease knowing that their relative is well taken care of during their absence.

You can begin to locate respite centers, or respite services in your area by contacting your local bureau on aging. They can direct you to any services available. They can also provide information on what Medicare and Medicaid will cover. Another resource might be your religious community. Your local social service agency, the local chapters of Alzheimer’s Association, Easter Seals, or Mental Health agency are all resources that can help you to find the right respite care for you.

So go ahead make a decision today to plan for the respite our so richly deserve, and need! You will be glad you did. And if you have not had a respite before, you are going to wonder what took you so long!

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