Providing care for a loved one is an incredibly rewarding experience. However, providing ample care while also looking after yourself is extremely difficult, and you may find yourself getting overwhelmed or stressed. It’s important to take time for yourself to relax and recharge. Otherwise, you may become fatigued and depressed, which makes it even more difficult to provide the right care for your loved one.
Respite care services make it possible for you to recharge and re-energize. Plus, you can also catch up on daily tasks or just take some time for yourself while your loved one is in good hands. Remember: in order to be a good caregiver, you need to feel your best. Overworking yourself can take a huge toll on your own mental and physical health, which can then impact your loved one. You should never feel ashamed to ask for help when you need it. That’s why respite care services are a good solution to help you manage the stresses of everyday life.
Respite care is an option for those looking for some extra help with taking care of their loved one. Whether your loved one is elderly or has special needs, respite care services can provide them with the quality care they need while you take the time you need to rest, recharge, and catch up on daily tasks.
You should never feel guilty for setting up a respite care service schedule. You deserve to take a break too! We understand why some people are hesitant about requesting respite care. After all, it can be difficult to put your loved one under the care of another person, especially when you know your loved one best! However, even just a short break away from caregiving services can give you the energy you need to provide the best care possible when you get back.
Related Article: How to Avoid Caregiver Burnout
Starting respite care services is a big decision. Your loved one may be hesitant about accepting care from someone other than you. Likewise, you may experience conflicting feelings about trusting someone else with the care of your loved one. However, respite care is often a necessary service to make sure that both you and your loved one get the care you need. Because this can be an emotional decision, you’ll need to talk about it thoroughly with your loved one. Even as you try to convince them to accept respite care, you should be mindful of their feelings. Take your time with this conversation, and don’t rush into anything your loved one isn’t comfortable with.
Here are some ways you can introduce your loved one to respite care.
Look into respite care services that are available near you. Be sure to find out the specifics of the services, such as how often they offer it, how many caretakers are available, and what services they provide. Be ready to discuss these options with your loved one once you start having that conversation. The more specifics you provide, the more your loved one will see how much you care about them and truly want the best for them.
Bringing up the idea of respite care can be a sensitive conversation. Because of this, it’s important to consider the time and place when you have this conversation. For example, starting this conversation on Christmas might not be the best idea. Instead, pick a random day and take them out of the house for a bit to go get a meal. It’s important to take out as much emotion from the situation as you can. Take them to a neutral environment where they will feel comfortable and open. The last thing you want is to have them feel like they are under pressure.
Instead of just telling them that they should consider respite care, direct the conversation with questions. If you ask the right questions in a non-pointed way, you may be able to get them to accept respite care faster than you thought. For example, try asking questions like “what would you do if you needed my help while I was out running errands?” This allows them to consider their needs without being forced to make a decision right away.
Perhaps your loved one isn’t yet familiar with respite care—and that’s ok! Take the time to explain it thoroughly and answer any questions they might have. If they seem hesitant or embarrassed, try to explain that you are looking out for their safety and want to make sure they are getting the care they need when you are away. Be sure to explain that respite care services are temporary and that you are not leaving them for long periods of time.
It can be hard to take your own needs out of the equation. After all, respite care is also designed to give you a break. However, you should keep the conversation focused on your loved one’s needs. You don’t want them to feel like they are being deserted or left out. Instead, talk about how much you care about their safety and health, especially if you can’t be with them all the time. Encourage them to think about their current situation and think about the future. And remember: be honest and keep their feelings in mind.
As part of your conversation, be sure to bring up all the benefits of respite care. For example, respite care can help them to make friends, experience new things, and even improve their mental health. If the conversation starts to head in the right direction, try bringing up some of these benefits. It may open their mind to things they hadn’t considered before.
Introducing your loved one to respite care can be a difficult process, especially if you have been their primary caregiver for a long time. It is normal for your loved one to put up some resistance. So, how can you help them understand why respite care is a good choice?
In many cases, reluctance stems from emotions. It’s possible that your loved one may feel embarrassed about accepting help from a stranger. Or perhaps they don’t feel safe being left in the care of someone else. Whatever the situation, try to understand and acknowledge their feelings. And try to get them to understand yours as well!
If you have narrowed down your options and are close to getting them to accept this help, take small steps to prepare them for this change. Here are some things you can do to introduce them to respite care.
If their reluctance persists after all of these conversations, it’s best to just be completely honest with them. Tell them truthfully that you need a break, but reinforce the fact that it won’t change anything between the two of you. In fact, taking a temporary break will end up being better for the two of you over the long term.
On Angel’s Wings, Inc. provides respite care service for individuals of all ages and ability levels. We understand how important it is that caregivers get the rest and relaxation they need to provide the best care for their loved ones. Click here to learn more about our respite care services.