Being a family caregiver for an elderly adult who is living with Alzheimer’s disease is intense. This is particularly true during the later stages of the disease when the need for care and assistance becomes more pressing throughout the day. You may find yourself feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and over exerted as you try to manage all of your parents needs, as well as the needs of the other elements of your life, including your children, your marriage, your career, your home, and even yourself.
Finding ways to reduce your stress, and preserve the quality of the care your senior receives, is a critical part of keeping both of you safer, healthier, and happier as they age in place. While there are many ways to reduce this stress, one of the most consistent and beneficial can be respite care.
With respite care, an elderly care provider steps in on a temporary or emergency basis to care for your senior. This in-home elderly care services provider will follow their routine as much as possible to ensure their continued access to the level of care and support that is right for them even when you have to be away from your aging parent.
Respite care is an ideal option if you or a member of your family has been sick and you don’t want to spread your germs to your aging parent, there is a conflict such as an activity with your children you need to do and are not able to be with your parent, or you begin to feel overwhelmed and stressed, and simply need time away from your care routine.
Respite care is designed to be a temporary or emergency solution to a care need. This is not regular or daily care. Instead, it is care that is specifically meant to fill care gaps and allow you to take a step back from your care efforts to manage other elements of your life, or take care of your own health. Knowing your senior has access to this care while you are gone can allow you to relax and focus on what else is happening in your life.
Many family caregivers find their availability to care for their aging parent changing throughout this care experience with them. Your schedule might become busier due to new activities, the needs of your children, or work pressures. You may also struggle with your own challenges and limitations regarding your health that keep you from being able to fulfill your senior’s needs in the ways you know they need and deserve.
This does not mean your parent won’t be able to enjoy a healthy and fulfilling life as they age in place. Instead, turn to elderly care to supplement the care you give, and give both your aging parent, and you, greater peace of mind that they will have everything they need both when you are with them, and when you are not.
Sources: https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs
https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures
If you or an aging loved one are considering Elderly Care Services in Wellesley MA, or anywhere in Eastern Massachusetts, please call the caring staff at CARE Resolutions – (508) 906-5572.
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