Most family caregivers don’t think twice about canceling their own plans to take care of something for the seniors they love. While this is admirable, doing this too often can bring some other challenges into the mix. Family caregivers need to be able to take time away and to take care of their own needs. This is why respite care is such an important part of the caregiving puzzle.
Physical Impacts of Caregiving
For some family caregivers, caring for a loved one involves physically demanding tasks. They may need to assist with mobility or heavy assistive tools, for instance. But even family caregivers who don’t do these things still experience physical impacts from caregiving.
Ignoring their own needs can cut into sleep time, lead to fatigue, and worsen health issues. Well-rested family caregivers are better able to handle these physical demands.
Mental and Emotional Health for Family Caregivers
Caregiving is fraught with stress. Many family caregivers struggle with anxiety and even guilt about choices they need to make related to caregiving. Constantly putting someone else’s needs first can also lead to feelings of frustration or isolation.
When family caregivers take time away by utilizing a respite care agency, they can maintain a healthier mindset and pay closer attention to their own mental well-being.
Preventing Compassion Fatigue and Burnout
Compassion fatigue is a situation in which it becomes more difficult for someone to show more empathy to someone else they’re caring for or helping. This is something that healthcare workers often struggle with, and it can be a big concern for family caregivers. They spend so much time taking care of the seniors they love that they exhaust their ability to show compassion.
Doing the same thing over and over can eventually lead to burnout. However, taking breaks and allowing respite care providers to take over gives family caregivers a chance to rebuild their physical and emotional reserves.
Improving Care Quality
Taking the time to rest and restore themselves renews focus and energy for family caregivers. Then, when caregiving becomes demanding again, they have reserves they can tap into to keep helping.
While breaks might seem like a waste of time or difficult to manage, they’re actually vital to helping family caregivers continue to be there for the seniors they love. Respite care providers make it easier.
Regaining a Sense of Self
When family caregivers spend a lot of time caring for someone else, it’s very easy for them to lose track of who they are beyond caregiving. Respite care allows family caregivers to reconnect with their own identities and interests, seeing themselves as whole humans again instead of just family caregivers. This is an important perspective for caregivers to embrace.
Having regular respite care available allows family caregivers to adopt a more balanced and healthy caregiving routine. They may be able to care for the seniors they love for a lot longer than they thought possible, and they’re able to do so without sacrificing their mental and physical health.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Respite Care in Chesterfield, 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.
At Pear Tree we’re innovators. Our goal, to create a family of caregivers looking to provide a one of a kind experience to our clientele.
In 2016, our founders noticed a key problem in home care industry that everyone seemed to be ignoring.
It’s too systematic. Home care isn’t one size fits all. Just like people aren’t one size fits all.
That’s where Pear Tree comes in.
We yearn for you to have the best possible care for your loved ones and the peace of mind that comes with knowing they aren’t only in good hands. They’re in great hands. Because, in the end, that’s what we’d want for our family.
It’s proven. When the home care experience is immersive and personalized, you’re going to produce better success rates with healthier family members.
Please, join us in our journey of revolutionizing the home care industry and creating lasting relationships along the way.
This is not the first Home Care agency for Pat, she was the Director of nursing for Kimberly Nurses in 1980 and after the tragic passing of the companies president she opened and co-founded American Nursing Resources Home Health Agency. Pat opened and passed Medicare certification for ANRHHA Clayton and Washington, MO offices.
For Zachary, the name “Pear Tree” is a tribute to his beloved late friend; Wade Abbadessa. Wade worked at his family’s famous restaurant “The Pear Tree” in Macon, until his tragic death in September 2014. Wade lost his battle with a rare form of bone cancer at the young age of 26. His legacy will live on through our company.
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