Caring for an elderly loved one can be tiring and time-consuming. A remarkable amount of patience, dedication, and love goes into acting as a family caregiver. In fact, caring for an elder family member can result in caregiver role strain, which is why family caregivers need a break every now and then. This is where respite care comes in.
This article discusses the importance of respite care for seniors, including how it benefits seniors and their family members.
What is Companionship and Respite Care for the Elderly?
Companionship for the elderly involves having a professional caregiver frequently spend time with, associate with, and accompany a senior wherever he/she goes.
On the other hand, respite care for the elderly provides short-term relief for family caregivers so that they can relax, attend to everyday activities, or go on holiday. Respite care can be arranged for several weeks or months, and care can be provided at the senior’s own home.
Are you considering respite care for yourself and your family? If yes, Caring for Portland can help. Caring for Portland is a family-owned agency that provides in-home care for seniors in Portland, Oregon. Our respite care providers delight in providing clients with relational compatibility, affordability, peace of mind, and dependable services that will exceed their expectations. Contact us for a free, no-obligation needs assessment.
Why is Respite Care Important?
Respite care providers offer a comprehensive set of personal care services that can be tailored to meet the needs of individual clients. Whether an elderly loved one needs medical assistance or supervision, a respite care provider can provide the required level of care needed. Some common services offered by respite care providers include:
- Companion Care and Supervision — If your loved one can perform day-to-day tasks but you uncomfortable leaving them home alone, respite care can provide companion services and supervision.
- Basic Medical Care — Respite caregivers can handle basic medical care such as performing first aid and wound care.
- Activities of Daily Living — Activities of daily living, commonly abbreviated as ADL, are essential tasks that individuals must perform each day, such as eating, bathing, and getting dressed, and nearly all respite caregivers provide ADL assistance.
- Personal Attention — In-home respite care is one-on-one between the elderly loved one and the caregiver. Seniors get personal attention and the caregiver focuses entirely on your loved one and his/her needs.
- Meals —Respite caregivers can prepare meals for your loved one and help your loved one eat.
- Transportation — Some respite caregivers can provide
transportation to help your loved one run errands or get to appointments.
- Help with Light Housekeeping — A respite care provider can complete simple household tasks such as grocery shopping, doing the laundry, vacuuming, or dusting.
If you are a family caregiver that needs a break from your caregiving duties to relax for a few hours, take a trip, or attend to important errands, the respite caregivers at Caring for Portland can help. Our caregivers provide a broad range of respite care services, including meal prep, medication services, grooming assistance, transportation, nursing services, and home keeping. We are committed to ensuring that each individual client receives specialized care that will improve their quality of life. Call us today for more information about our services.
When Should You Start Looking Into Companion and Respite Services for Your Aging Loved One?
As a caregiver, you may find it difficult to admit that you and your family need respite care. To determine when you should start looking into respite services, ask yourself the following:
- Is your social life becoming non-existent because most of your time is spent caring for your loved one?
- Do you feel physically or emotionally drained regularly?
- Do you feel hopeless?
- Are your eating patterns normal or disrupted by a busy schedule?
- Do you resent other family members that can help you but are not doing so?
- Have you resorted to self-soothing habits such as drinking, gambling, or smoking?
If you have answered “yes” to any of these questions, it may be time to seek help from a respite caregiver. Even though a break can help relieve caregiver stress, if you can no longer handle the needs of your loved one and adult day care services cannot change the situation, you should consider other senior care options. You can hire a home health care aide or an in-home caregiver to care for your loved one regularly.
At Caring for Portland, we have a dedicated team of professional caregivers that provide in-home care for the elderly. When you need a break from caring for your loved one around the clock, we can step in armed with a written care plan that will address your loved one’s needs and produce the desired outcomes. With us, you can rest easy knowing that our caregivers have the special skills needed to care for your loved one.
How to Find a Trusted Companion and Provider for Your Loved One
You can find a trusted companion and provider for your loved one in various, including:
- Family and Friends: If your loved one is not seriously ill and only needs a watchful eye, family members or friends can provide care.
- Agency: You can use a home care agency to find a respite caregiver. Agencies connect you with providers that have the skill and experience to meet your needs and conduct licensing and background checks for you.
- Individual Provider: You can search for a respite caregiver yourself. This will help you avoid agency fees but you will have to conduct background checks yourself.
Learn More about Companionship and Respite Care Services in Portland, OR
If you have been caring for your loved one throughout the year, it may be time for that much-needed break. Caring for Portland is locally owned in Portland, OR, and we are committed to helping seniors live independently in the comfort of their homes.
We help seniors achieve and maintain a higher quality of life and because every situation is unique, we provide personalized care plans that are modified to meet each client’s needs. We are here to put your mind at ease, so feel free to contact us at 503-836-3909 or complete our contact form for a free no-obligation needs assessment.
