When caring for a loved one, it’s easy to forget about caring for yourself. This is true particularly when that loved one has a disability or high needs. Oftentimes, the ones providing long-term care for these individuals are family members. Long-term caregiving can cause negative side effects on caregivers’ physical, emotional, and economic health. According to the 2021 AARP report, informal caregivers provided 36 billion hours of unpaid care to their loved ones. This is the equivalent of $600 billion of unpaid care. As a caregiver, it’s essential to give yourself a break. One way to achieve this is through respite care. Respite care is defined as short-term care available for caregivers in need of a break. Typically services are provided at home, or in some cases at a residential facility. There are 3 main ways that caregivers can benefit from respite care.
Relaxation and Rest
Caring for a loved one with high needs can be draining. No matter how much love you have for them, it’s important to give yourself time to rest and recharge. Failure to do so can result in resentment towards the loved one you’re caring for. The idea behind respite care is to give you a break to do what you need to do. Whether that’s taking a nap or going out for a coffee, it gives you a chance to do something for yourself. When you’re caring for someone around the clock, your brain is on high alert for any problems. This can lead to overstimulation and having a hard time relaxing. Respite care allows you peace of mind in knowing that your loved one is being cared for by a professional caregiver.
More Social Time
When you’re caring for an individual with disabilities, it can be quite isolating. Things like spending time with family and friends tend to fall by the wayside. As the physical and emotional exhaustion of caring for someone takes its toll, going out to social events can seem like too much effort. As humans, we need social engagements and interactions for our well-being. Prolonged periods of isolation can contribute to increased stress and have a negative effect on mental health. As a caregiver, it’s important to remember that you need social time too. Respite care allows you time to be more social. Meeting a friend for lunch or going to a co-worker’s birthday party can be great ways to reduce stress and improve your mood.
Improved Health
When caring for someone, it’s common to neglect your own health. You give so much of yourself to your loved one, that you forget to give yourself love. The fact remains, that in order to care for the people you love, you first have to take care of yourself. This means doing things like maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise. The physical and emotional demands of caring for a loved one with a disability can wreak havoc on your body. This is why respite care can give you that much-needed time to take a step back and focus on your health.
Are you experiencing the negative effects of being a caregiver? Respite care might be a great option for you. Brenda’s Place offers a variety of in-home services for your loved one with a disability. We offer in-home, daily support services to help disabled adults reach their potential. Give us a call at (320) 217-8331 to learn more about our in-home care services.
Sources:
https://www.naccho.org/blog/articles/supporting-people-with-developmental-disabilities-the-
importance-of-caring-for-the-nations-caregivers
https://www.easterseals.com/support-and-education/for-caregivers/being-a-caregiver-for-
someone-you-love.html
https://www.fremantletrust.org/help-and-advice/the-benefits-of-respite-care-for-family-caregivers
https://www.caregiveraction.org/resources/caregiver-statistics