When caring for a loved one it is easy to overlook your
own personal needs. Caregivers often juggle the demands of a family
and career along with their responsibility to a sick or disabled family
member or friend. In fact, family members provide approximately
80 percent of the care needed by older relatives in the United States
and they are doing it with little or no assistance. As a result,
many caregivers often find themselves victims of stress and depression.
In order to maintain both your own and a loved one’s
quality of life it is important for you, as a caregiver, to take a rest. If “caregiving” duties
are overwhelming, looking for outside assistance is the right thing
to do. A respite care program can offer temporary relief from
the day-to-day demands of caring for an aging or disabled loved one.
The idea of respite care emerged in the early 1970’s
when home care became a trend in the field of human services. It
is typically defined as any type of “relief” care provided
to families who care for a loved one who has a chronic illness or disability. It
can include temporary relief ranging from a few hours to a few weeks
or periodic care up to a few months. This temporary relief may
be provided on an emergency or regular basis. Ideally, respite
care should be preventative, rather than the result of a crisis. Planning
ahead by seeking outside help will ensure that good care will be provided.
Respite services are provided in many ways, depending
on the needs of the family. In general there are three types of
respite care services:
- Adult
day programs
- In-home
health aide or companion services
- Overnight
care in a residential facility
All respite services are part of an overall support system
necessary for families to to provide care for a loved one at home.
One of the most important purposes
of respite care is to give caregivers temporary relief from the stress
they experience while providing care to an ill or disabled loved one. This “break” aids
in preventing abuse and neglect and supports family unity. Respite
care enables caregivers to take extended vacations or just a few hours
off to spend time with friends or family.
In addition to providing caregivers with time of
their own, respite care provide the opportunity to discuss a loved one’s
health status with a health cares professional.
If you experience several of the stress symptoms listed
below on a regular basis, turn to the Saint Barnabas Health Care System
for quality respite services that will provide you with time you need
to take care of yourself and confidence that your loved one is in good
hands.
- Denial about
the illness and its effect on your loved
one.
- Social Withdrawal from
friends, family and activities that once brought
pleasure.
- Anxiety over
facing another day and what the future holds.
- Exhaustion making
it nearly impossible to complete daily tasks.
- Sleeplessness caused
by an infinite number of concerns.
- Irritability leads
to moodiness and triggers anger.
- Lack of concentration making
it difficult to perform familiar tasks.
- begin
to take surface as you neglect your own well
being.
Most respite programs are provided by non-profit organizations
like hospitals and nursing homes. The Saint Barnabas Health Care
System supports eight nursing and rehabilitation centers and two assisted
living facilities throughout New Jersey which provide a variety of programs
aimed at aiding caregivers and their loved ones. In some cases
families with an ill or disabled loved one arrange for respite care
with neighbors, family members or friends.
The Saint Barnabas Nursing and Rehabilitation Center nearest
you is an excellent place to start when looking for qualified and caring
respite services for a loved one. Their healthcare professionals
can provide you with a list of care options available and recommend
the best avenue of care for you and your family. With eight locations
throughout New Jersey, there is sure to be a convenient location near
you. Your family healthcare provider is also a good place to turn
when looking into respite care.
Many caregivers are reluctant to rely on a respite program. They
may even question the need for this type of service. It is recommended
that caregivers and their families ask themselves the following questions
to help determine if respite services are right for them:
- Is
it difficult to find temporary care for my
loved one?
- Does
caring for him/her interfere with scheduling
appointments or with personal projects?
- Am I
concerned that in the event of a family emergency
there is no one whom I would feel secure caring
for my loved one?
- Do I
avoid going out because I feel I would be imposing
on family and friends who would care for my
love one?
- Would
I feel comfortable having a respite provider
care for my loved one?
If your answer to any of these questions is “yes,” you may
benefit from respite care services.
Respite care not only gives caregivers time to concentrate
on themselves but it provides an ill or disabled loved one with a change
in their daily routine. It encourages the development of new relationships
and friendships, boosts self-esteem and confidence and inspires a move
toward independence.
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