Family caregivers tend to emotionally brace themselves and tackle whatever needs doing for the people they love. The problem with that approach is that it often means they forget about their own needs while they offer support, companionship, and hands-on practical help to other people in their lives. Caregiving constantly without the right breaks along the way takes a huge toll on the quality of life and even health for family caregivers. The answer is letting respite care providers take on some of those duties and making time for regular breaks.

Understanding Respite Care

Respite Care Merced, CA – Why Every Family Caregiver Needs a Break

Respite care offers support for family caregivers while they step away from their caregiving duties for a short time. The type of help they offer to seniors while professional caregivers are there might vary from helping with hygiene tasks to simply spending time with seniors. Taking advantage of this service offers family caregivers the opportunity to take care of a variety of other issues they face.

Reducing Stress Prevents Burnout

The biggest problem for family caregivers who aren’t taking breaks is that their stress continues to grow. Caregiving can be both physically and emotionally exhausting. Without breaks, stress rises and family caregivers never get the chance to rest and recharge. Burning out then becomes a very real potential problem and it’s not easy to come back from burnout.

Breaks Help with Physical Health

Continuing to care for seniors without a break usually means that while family caregivers are focused on keeping seniors healthy, they ironically ignore their own wellness needs. They might be skipping doctor’s appointments and foregoing their own nutrition, sleep, and movement needs so that they can spend their time and energy managing life for the seniors they’re helping. Respite time allows family caregivers to stop and focus on their own needs for a while.

Breaks Improve Quality of Care

A side effect of focusing on their own needs is that family caregivers regain some of their ability to offer care to others. When they come back from breaks, family caregivers might be surprised to realize that it’s easier for them to offer compassionate care to their family members because they’re in a better space to do so. They’re better caregivers for having taken the time to replenish themselves.

Time Away Improves Emotional and Mental Health

When family caregivers spend all their time and energy focusing on fixing things, making things better for seniors, and helping other people, they may not realize what that does to their own mental and emotional wellness. No one can focus forever on someone else’s needs while ignoring what they need. Respite care allows family caregivers to socialize, go to therapy, or simply rest. All of these are essential for continuing wellness.

Planning for respite care is a great solution for family caregivers who still aren’t sure that this is going to work for them. Starting out slowly with a few hours a week allows them to test the waters and experience some of the benefits. Afterward, scheduling regular respite breaks just offers more support that everyone involved can use.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Respite Care Services in Merced, CA, please get in touch with the caring staff at Everlight Home Care today. Call us at 559-353-2847.

Private Duty Home Care in Fresno, Madera, Kern Counties, and surrounding communities. Call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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Gina Kendall

Gina Kendall has over 25 years of work experience serving the aging and the disabled. Her extensive experience in care and management began as a Social Services Coordinator in skilled nursing facilities. While working in this capacity, she became aware of the need for, and the importance of, good, quality, home care. Gina worked with families to keep their loved ones home and avoid a return visit to the hospital. As she continued her career of service, she began working with the disabled population helping to expand and improve their independence throughout all aspects of life.

This combination of experiences has afforded Gina a unique view of the needs of the aging and the disabled and how to best serve those needs in a home setting.

Gina’s Central Valley roots run deep. She earned her BA degree from Fresno State in 1993 and has lived and worked in Fresno for the past 20 years. In addition to raising her family in Fresno, she is actively involved in her local church and is a volunteer for various local community organizations.

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