We all want the very best for our loved ones, particularly when it comes to their care. Yet it’s not always easy to tell when we might need a little extra support.
Whether you’re feeling the beginnings of burnout, curious about live in care, or finding your loved one’s needs are changing, here are five signs that respite care could make a real difference to your life.
What is respite care?
At its core, respite care is a short-term, flexible form of home care that’s tailored to a loved one’s specific needs. Whether it’s after surgery, during an illness, or when a family carer requires time to rest and recharge — a carer will move into the home for a short while to provide temporary, personalised care.
With that definition in mind, here are our five key signs that you could benefit from respite care.
1. You are experiencing caregiver burnout
Caring for someone close to you can be hugely rewarding, but it can also lead to you putting your own health on the back burner. In fact, around one in five carers admit to neglecting their own needs, often without realising.
After a while, deprioritising your needs can start to affect your everyday life and cause things like caregiver burnout. Here are some common symptoms of caregiver burnout to watch out for:
- Constant tiredness, even after rest
- Feeling more stressed or irritable than usual
- Frequent headaches, stomach problems, or illness
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Emotions such as guilt, sadness, or resentment
If you’ve noticed any of these signs within yourself, then it may be time to consider respite care. Even as little as two weeks can make a difference, allowing you the chance to take a pause, look after your needs, and return to your role feeling rested.
2. You want to try live in care
Live in care is a specialised form of home care, in which a fully-trained carer moves into a loved one’s home to provide round-the-clock support. Choosing this form of care is a big decision, and it can take plenty of time and research before you decide if it’s right for a loved one.
But with respite care, you don’t have to commit right away. Instead, you can find out how professional home care works — including how a carer might fit into your daily life, provide companionship, and support routines and hobbies.
For many families, this trial gives them the time and distance they need to make the right choice, while allowing them to step back into their role as son, daughter, family, or friend.
3. Your loved one is returning home from a hospital stay
It’s a big relief when a loved one returns home from hospital after an illness, fall or surgery. But during this important time of recovery, they often need extra support. Sometimes, this care is more than a family can provide alone.
Instead of staying in a hospital environment, respite care makes your loved one’s transition home smoother. A professional carer can manage medication, assist with mobility, and offer vital support when they need it most, which can help to reduce the risk of setbacks or hospital readmission.
And, with this care in place at home, you can also focus on being there to support emotionally, rather than worrying about your loved one’s care.
4. Your professional carer needs a break
Everyone needs a break sometimes, including your professional carer. Whether it’s due to illness, injury, or family needs, unexpected circumstances can leave you without the care you’re used to. This is where emergency respite care steps in.
With respite care, you can fill in the gap when your regular carer isn’t available, with a professional carer who will meet the same high standards. With this continuity of care, you can relax, knowing your loved one is still being taken care of.
It also ensures your regular carer has the time they need to recover and recharge, so that they can deliver excellent care on their return.
5. Your loved one has increased care needs
As our loved ones age, their needs will naturally progress and change. While this tends to happen gradually, like a change in mobility, it can sometimes occur more suddenly. Whether that’s due to a new diagnosis, or the progression of an illness, it can be difficult to manage complex needs alone.
When this happens, respite care can help. With short-term support, a professional carer can guide you through the change, and help your loved one to feel safe and comfortable as they adjust to their changing needs.
The types of respite care available
There are different types of respite care available, designed to suit your specific needs, from round-the-clock support to hourly visits. These types include:
- Live in respite care: round-the-clock support from a carer living in the home
- Visiting care: support at agreed times on an hourly basis
How to arrange respite care
Arranging respite care with Oxford Aunts is simple. After your initial call with the team, you can arrange a free home care assessment. During which, one of our experienced assessors will get to know your loved ones needs, routines and preferences.
From there, we’ll create a tailored care plan that will ensure all of your loved ones’ needs are met. And, once you are happy with it, we confirm the care and weekly cost. The last step will be finding the right carer who will be chosen based on your loved one’s interests, values and specific health requirements.
We are here to help
Respite care can offer lots of benefits to caregivers and families alike. At Oxford Aunts, we provide excellent respite services that are built around your needs. Whether you’re interested in live in care, or just need a break, we’re here for you whenever you might need us.
If you’d like to learn more about our respite care service, you can contact our friendly team, or visit our website.
