WHAT IS IN-HOME RESPITE CARE?
Caring for an aging family member can be a meaningful, heartfelt devotion of your energy. Yet it can become overwhelming and stressful, draining of your much-needed “me time.”
On one hand, it’s normal and okay to feel those emotions around family caregiving. On the other hand, it doesn’t have to be that way. Time spent with your loved one should be as relaxed and joyful as possible.
That’s why at Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services, we provide in-home respite care services so that you can relax, take care of yourself, and focus on spending more high-quality time with your loved one.
Our team can provide any level of home care, at any time. So, whether your loved one needs companion care, skilled nursing, or anything in between — we’ll be there day or night to provide you with respite care during this important time in their lives.
Contact us or find a Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services location near you to learn more about getting in-home respite care today.
Around 40.4 million Americans currently serve as unpaid caregivers to aging family members. That means nearly one in eight people has caregiving responsibilities that take time away from attending to their own health and well-being.
If this group includes you, our home care professionals are here to help.
The main, overarching purpose of in-home respite care is to provide assistance and temporary relief to family caregivers. The specific details of your personalized in-home respite care services are based on the needs of you and your loved one, as well as the level of care required.
Respite Care Services can include, but are not limited to:
- Grooming
- Personal hygiene care
- Dressing
- Incontinence care
- Meal prep and clean-up
- Companionship
- Ambulation (walking assistance)
Benefits of respite care?
In-home respite care services benefit both the caregiver and the person receiving care.
If you’re a caregiver, it allows you time to tend to your own health and well-being. We understand that caregiving can take a toll on your body and your mind. In fact, caregivers experience higher rates of health conditions like anxiety, depression, hypertension, and obesity than the average population.
As a primary caregiver, respite care can provide:
- Rest — You need proper rest to do your best as a family caregiver. Whether you stay in your loved one’s home or go somewhere else, our respite caregivers will take over daily responsibilities so that you have time to recharge.
- Social engagement — Opportunities to get out and be with friends can help prevent anxiety and depression, while benefiting mental and emotional health.
- Sense of identity — To maintain a healthy sense of self, it’s important to take time to focus on your career, hobbies, and other relationships. A little bit of “me time” can go a long way in improving all aspects of your life, including your role as a family caregiver.
For the person receiving care, benefits of respite care may include:
- Open listening — There are therapeutic benefits to speaking with someone who will listen openly and without attachment. Our respite caregivers are chosen not only for their experience but also for their compassion and ability to listen.
- Skilled medical care — If you have certain medical needs that can be handled by a visiting nurse, integrating respite care with skilled nursing can be a great way to get the care you need while also providing a break for your family caregiver.
We understand how big the responsibility of caring for elderly loved ones can be. Our respite care services ensure that seniors can feel safe and cared for, while you’re able to take a break and focus on caring for yourself.
Who Provides Respite Care?
Our home health care professionals include Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), and Certified Home Health Aides (CHHAs). We can provide respite care with a Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services team member who is qualified to meet your specific needs.
Our professional caregivers are chosen for their experience and training, as well as their capacity for empathy and compassion. You can rest assured your family member will receive the care and attention they need through our in-home respite care services.
Adult Day Care vs. Home Respite Care
It’s important to distinguish between adult day care and in-home respite care. Adult day care facilities provide a space for senior citizens to spend the day, typically only on weekdays. Home care professionals come to you, so your loved one can receive care in the comfort of their home. A home care model can be especially beneficial for those with special needs or memory disorders like Alzheimer’s, who have difficulties adapting to changes in their usual setting.
Signs you may need in-home respite care services
Caregivers may not always recognize the signs they need help. Our providers know from experience that burnout can creep up on entire families when they’re focused on meeting the personal care needs of a loved one.
To be there in the most meaningful way for loved ones, family caregivers need relief from the daily grind that comes with being responsible for another person’s care. Here are some signs it may be time to get assistance:
- Emotional well-being — Irritability and losing patience are red flags that you’re becoming overwhelmed with your caregiving responsibilities. Feelings of loneliness and isolation are also somewhat normal for family caregivers but should not overtake your life.
- Physical well-being — Fatigue and chronic illness are indicators your system is worn down and in need of recharging.
- Making mistakes – If you’re making mistakes more frequently, especially those that can compromise the care of your loved one, it may be time to get professional help.
It is not selfish to need a break from providing round-the-clock care. In fact, it allows you a greater ability to enjoy your time with your loved one.
Our in-home care respite services are available seven days a week, day or night, as frequently as you may need them. They can cover your caregiving duties, whether it’s to allow you a weekly coffee date with your friends, time and energy to focus on your career, or simply a night at home to catch up on some much-needed sleep.
Choose respite care services you can trust
At Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services, we’re proud to be a leading home health care provider in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Our team of trusted professional caregivers is dedicated to giving you and your loved one peace of mind, with personalized in-home respite care services that ensure safe and wholesome living at home.
We provide in-home respite care throughout NJ, PA, and DE. Find a Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services location near you or contact us today for more information on our quality, compassionate home health care.
