Importance of Respite Care for Alzheimer's Caregivers

Home Care in Lansing MI

Home Care in Lansing MIProviding care for an elderly loved one who has Alzheimer's disease can be extremely challenging. Not only do you have to help with their daily living responsibilities but you also have to monitor the elder to make sure they do not try to wander too far from home. Even though you love your elderly parent, being their primary caregiver can take atoll on your own health and happiness.

The solution? Respite care. This type of care involves having a trained home care provider come to the elder's home in order to take over for you while you receive a break from you caregiving role. There are a number of other benefits to using this service, including the following:

  • Relax. There is no shame in just wanting to take a mini vacation from your responsibilities. Using respite care will allow you to focus on doing things that bring you joy and help promote relaxation.
  • Catch up on your own to-do list. Do you have grocery shopping or other errands to catch up on? Now is the perfect time to do so, especially since your loved one is receiving quality care from an experienced caregiver.
  • Reliable home care providers. It can be nerve-racking leaving your aging parent with a stranger. However, if you found the caregiver through a home care agency, they are extremely reliable. These caregivers go through a thorough screening process that requires background checks, referral checks, and a certain amount of experience. You can rest assure that your loved one is being properly cared for.

Family caregivers are not the only ones who could benefit from respite care; the elder can also reap the rewards of this care option. Some of the benefits include:

  • Communicating with someone else. As much as your loved one enjoys visiting with you, it is important that they also socialize with others. Since large social events may be too overwhelming for them, having one-on-one conversations with an elder care provider may be just what they need.
  • Participate in new situations. Change is not something most seniors with Alzheimer's disease welcomes with open arms, but it could be good for them. By having them face new challenges, they will be more prepared to handle new mental and social challenges.
  • Spend time in a safe environment. Since the caregiver comes right to the elder's home, they will be able to stay in a safe environment, while getting to socialize with someone new in a familiar place.

With these respite care benefits, it is time to start planning your mini vacation from your caregiving responsibilities in order to focus on your own needs for a change.

Source:
https://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-caregiver-respite.asp

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Lansing, MI, please contact the caring staff at Seniors Helping Seniors of Lansing. Call today: 517-332-9953.