What Should I Do If I'm Concerned About the Safety of My Loved One While Receiving Respite Care Services?

When it comes to the safety of your loved one while receiving respite care services, it's important to take the necessary steps to ensure their wellbeing. Unless the problem poses a serious threat to the health and well-being of your loved one or others, start by talking to the person in charge of the unit or section where your family member resides. If there is still no solution, you should contact your state's Long Term Care Ombudsman's office. The Ombudsman advocates for residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities and can provide information on how to find a center, evaluate the quality of care, and help you with complaints.

In some situations, you may also want to seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in caring for the elderly. Temporary care provides caregivers with a temporary break from providing care, while the person living with Alzheimer's disease continues to receive care in a safe environment. Using respite services can support and strengthen your ability to be a caregiver. Respite care can be done in your own home, in day care centers, or in residential or nursing facilities that offer overnight stays.

Or maybe you feel like it's wrong of you to get tired of caring for a loved one, especially if you're a parent caring for a child. It usually doesn't cover periods of rest from one day to the next, but long-term care policies and programs for veterans can subsidize the cost of care. Whether you're caring for a child, an adult, or an older person, there are a variety of private and nonprofit rest programs available depending on your location. Use checklists to inform respite care providers about your loved one's schedules, likes, and dislikes.

If you seek respite services promptly and frequently, you'll be better able to maintain interests outside your loved one's care and preserve your own identity. Or, foster care may involve finding volunteers or paid caregivers to provide in-home services to your loved one, either on an occasional or regular basis. Asking for respite care from other people, especially people with previous experience or professional training, can give a new perspective to your daily routine and can offer you advice on different ways to manage certain care tasks. It's not uncommon for long-time family caregivers to finally seek respite care and then find a void in their lives.

Whether your family member lives in a residential nursing home or a skilled nursing facility, concerns often arise about care issues. In some areas there are caregiver retreats and rest camps, which combine rest with education and support from peers. Respite care provides temporary relief to the primary caregiver, allowing them to take a much-needed break from the demands of caring for a sick, elderly, or disabled family member. Understanding your needs, selecting the right type of respite care, and choosing the right provider can ease the stress of leaving the reins of caring for your loved one.

Whether it's for a few hours a week or for an extended vacation, finding a temporary care facility can help ease the burden of family care and relieve stress, restore energy and promote balance in life. Determining the type, skills, frequency, and location of respite services is critical to ensuring that you receive the right support and that your loved one continues to receive the best care.