Caring for a loved one is a role that demands a lot of commitment and selflessness and can take up a lot of emotional and physical energy. It’s understandable that at times you’ll need a break in order to rest and recuperate. In fact, it’s important that you take time for yourself every now and then in order to relax and ensure that you can continue to provide the high quality care that your loved one requires.
However, the prospect of leaving your loved one whilst you take a short break from your role as a family carer or go on holiday can be a daunting one as you want to ensure that your loved one is still well cared for. During this time you may consider finding a short-term, part- time or live-in care provider to care for your loved one whilst you are away.
What does respite care involve?
Respite care ensures that your loved one’s care and support needs are still met in your absence. This can be less disruptive than putting your loved one into temporary residential care as it means routines continue and that your loved one can remain in familiar surroundings with their local support system.
Respite care can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks depending on your particular needs. Of course, respite care isn’t only available for when you need a break - you can also arrange emergency respite care if you become ill or have to go into hospital at short notice. Respite care can also be invaluable if you and your loved one want to try out home care for a short period to see whether it works for you.
As with other care services available, respite care can provide support for various conditions including Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis, strokes, cancer, and more. We can help you find temporary live-in or part-time respite care providers. This has the dual benefit of being more affordable than residential care and keeping your loved one in their own home.
Questions to ask
If you think you may need respite care, you may want to ask some of the following questions:
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Do you provide part-time or full-time care to your loved one?
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Does your loved one need help while you are away or on a break?
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Do you need a short break from your responsibilities as a family carer?
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Do you want your loved one to stay in their home whilst you are away?
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What are your loved one’s specific needs?
