A difficult aspect of caregiving is finding balance. When caregiver obligations encroach too much on one’s personal life, the results can be fatigue, irritability, and frustration. Perhaps most importantly, the joy that comes with caregiver service can be diminished. Loved ones may also need more privacy, a change of atmosphere, a new hobby, or a different conversation. That’s when respite care can provide a welcome change to daily routines.
Liberty Resources Home Choices offers several different types of respite care for caregivers of people living with disabilities and seniors in the Philadelphia metro area and eastern Pennsylvania. Here, we discuss the different kinds of respite care a caregiver may seek.
What Kinds of Respite Care Services are Available?
There are a few different types of respite care. For instance, respite care for autism is separate from respite care for intellectual disability. These services are a great way to get a short-term break from caregiving duties. Once you understand just how many kinds of help are available, you can decide which type of assistance is appropriate for your situation. Respite care can be found through:
- Home care agencies
- Adult daycare centers
- Individual professionals
- Family members and friends
- Volunteer organizations
- Respite camps or retreats
- Assisted living or nursing care facilities
What Are the Benefits of Respite Care?
There are benefits of engaging respite care services that apply to family members and professional caregivers. Caregiving is rewarding work but also presents many challenges. Everyone needs rest now and again, and that’s the point of respite care. There’s less anxiety when you’ve arranged for a qualified person to take over care duties while you run errands, work, go on vacation, or attend social events.
What Types of Services Are Included in Respite Care?
You will be more able to refresh and relax if you use respite care services, which include the following:
In-Home Caregiving Services
Respite care offers help with everyday self-care tasks, such as:
- Bathing and grooming
- Incontinence care and toileting
- Getting dressed
- Medication management
- Mobility supervision
- Transportation assistance for appointments
Household Support Services
An orderly and hygienic environment helps everyone feel better, but sometimes it’s hard to take care of domestic tasks. Respite care can also include the following homemaking services:
- Light housekeeping
- Laundry duties
- Changing sheets and bedding
- Transportation to appointments and events
- Grocery shopping and meal preparation
Interests and Activities
Respite caregivers can provide new experiences, interests, activities, and hobbies for the person living with disabilities or seniors in your care. These lifestyle support services may be introduced in a social group, or within the scope of in-home care:
- Exercise routines
- Outdoor activities
- Emotional support groups
- Arts and crafts sessions
- Games and movies
- Trips to the library
- Virtual classes and events
- Companionship
- Skills training classes
Plan for Emergencies with Respite Care Services
Caregiving responsibilities can be all-consuming. And regardless of how much planning goes into a care plan, there may be an emergency that takes the caregiver away from in-home care. With respite care services, planning for emergencies is possible. Liberty Resources Home Choices caregivers are on call 24 hours every day. If an emergency requires you to be away from your loved one, our qualified caregivers can step in while you’re away.
Take Advantage of Respite Care Services
Whether there’s a need to go out of town or run a quick errand, respite care services offer a solution. Full-time caregivers need to arrange breaks from daily schedules, and those for whom they care also benefit from a change of routine. Liberty Resources Home Choices provides respite care services in the Philadelphia metro and Lehigh Valley areas. For more information, contact us today.
