Senior Caregivers: What is Respite Care?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 90 percent of the long-term care provided to seniors in America is performed by family members and loved ones. This amounts to an estimated 35-40 million caregivers in the United States alone.
Researchers have verified the tremendous amount of stress long-term caregivers undergo. As a result of this continual stress, caregivers have significantly higher instances of illness including depression and other chronic physical and emotional ailments than non-caregivers. Further, caregivers often allow their own homes to fall into disrepair, get behind on their bills, and neglect their social lives.
Regardless of the personal cost, caregivers are often unwilling to take time off from caring for their loved one. The most common reason is guilt. According to the AARP, "During caregiving guilt is constant. Guilt for not …show more content…
This is great news not just for the caregiver but for the senior being cared for as well.
There is no reason or purpose that needs to be stated for using respite services. Many caregivers take the first day just to sleep. A common response among first-time respite care users is that they didn't realize just how tired they were until they actually had a break. Others will get together with friends, take care of appointments or their own medical needs, even go on a short vacation.
In short, respite care is a service that provides caregivers the opportunity to take a short time off from their duties while having the peace of mind that comes from knowing their loved one is receiving the care and support they need. It should be noted that, sometimes, even though they love you very much, your senior loved one can use a break,
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 90 percent of the long-term care provided to seniors in America is performed by family members and loved ones. This amounts to an estimated 35-40 million caregivers in the United States alone.
Researchers have verified the tremendous amount of stress long-term caregivers undergo. As a result of this continual stress, caregivers have significantly higher instances of illness including depression and other chronic physical and emotional ailments than non-caregivers. Further, caregivers often allow their own homes to fall into disrepair, get behind on their bills, and neglect their social lives.
Regardless of the personal cost, caregivers are often unwilling to take time off from caring for their loved one. The most common reason is guilt. According to the AARP, "During caregiving guilt is constant. Guilt for not …show more content…
This is great news not just for the caregiver but for the senior being cared for as well.
There is no reason or purpose that needs to be stated for using respite services. Many caregivers take the first day just to sleep. A common response among first-time respite care users is that they didn't realize just how tired they were until they actually had a break. Others will get together with friends, take care of appointments or their own medical needs, even go on a short vacation.
In short, respite care is a service that provides caregivers the opportunity to take a short time off from their duties while having the peace of mind that comes from knowing their loved one is receiving the care and support they need. It should be noted that, sometimes, even though they love you very much, your senior loved one can use a break,