Over time, seniors make some big decisions about how they want to live the rest of their lives, including the decision to age in place. Aging in place involves seniors staying in their own homes as they continue to grow older. As seniors age, though, they may need additional help from family caregivers. That leads over time to family caregivers feeling stretched too thin and needing help in the form of respite care services.

Respite care assistance can go a long way toward keeping seniors in their homes longer than they might have thought possible.

 

Understanding Respite Care

Respite care involves professional caregivers stepping in and offering care in place of family caregivers. These experts in home care services can handle a variety of different types of tasks seniors might need help managing. Because they’re there, family caregivers can take a break, handle other responsibilities, and come back to caregiving refreshed.

 

Preventing Family Caregiver Burnout

The biggest pitfall family caregivers can face is caregiver burnout. This happens over time as the demands of caregiving lead to exhaustion, increased stress, and health problems for the family caregiver. Taking breaks and having a chance to focus on their own needs can help protect family caregivers from burning out.

 

Improving Quality of Life

Even though respite care is primarily about helping family caregivers take time away, it offers significant benefits to the seniors who receive care. Rested family caregivers offer better and more compassionate care to the people they love.

Spending time with respite care providers also helps seniors socialize with other people and reduce any feelings of isolation that might be brewing.

 

Flexible Assistance

Like other types of home care, respite care is flexible. Professional caregivers can offer a range of assistance from mobility help to assistance eating. If seniors primarily need companionship or light supervision, that’s possible, too.

Respite care providers adapt to fit routines and preferences, rather than the family having to adapt to fit what care offers.

 

Supporting Caregiver Mental Health

Taking care of another person, particularly a senior with increasing care needs, takes a toll on mental health. Respite care offers family caregivers the chance to take a step back, which allows them to better reduce anxiety and deal with other issues, like depression.

Taking time for self-care allows family caregivers to reconnect with their own interests, hobbies, and social networks.

 

Delaying the Need for Other Types of Care

With reliable care at home, seniors may not be in a position to need to consider assisted living, nursing homes, or other care options. That allows them to continue aging in a place where they feel stable and maintain their autonomy.

Family caregivers with the right support also feel more capable of caring for family members, even as their needs change.

 

Boosting Family Relationships

Caregiving can sometimes strain family relationships, particularly if one family member is doing the majority of the caregiving work. Respite care providers make it easier for other family members to join in and offer some assistance, especially when someone else is handling the hands-on assistance.

Family caregivers feel less strained, which can reduce the strain on family relationships across the board.

 

Respite care services are a valuable source of assistance for family caregivers who feel overwhelmed and out of options. They also ensure that seniors can continue to age in place for as long as they want to.

 

 

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Respite Care in St. Charles, MO, please contact the caring staff at Pear Tree Home Care today! (314) 942-9411

Pear Tree Home Care Provides Senior Home Care Services in St. Louis, Ladue, Chesterfield, Town and Country, Clayton, Des Peres, St. Charles, Wildwood, Brentwood, Maryland Heights, Lake St. Louis, O’Fallon, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Arnold, Oakville, Mehlville, Creve Coeur, St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Franklin County, Warren County, Jefferson County, and surrounding areas.