Respite Care: The Support Caregivers Need

Did you know nearly 35 million people in the United States provide caregiving to someone who is 50 years old or older? Forty percent of all caregivers are in what is considered a “high-burden situation,” spending 21 hours or more every week on caregiving tasks. This continues for an average of four years.

If you are looking after a parent, spouse or loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, your responsibilities may entail 24-hour care in addition to other family and work obligations.

Many caregivers are so focused on their loved ones, they don’t even take a moment for themselves. This can lead to physical, emotional and mental exhaustion and result in “caregiver burnout.”

Taking a break isn’t something to feel guilty about. It’s something to accept you may need for your own personal health.

Many caregivers find comfort in respite care to not only provide periodic stress relief, but also to cover vacations, work obligations, and emergencies in other areas of their lives.

Some memory care communities offer a “Day Stay,” a convenient service that allows caregivers the option to drop off their loved one for a few hours, one day, or up to five days a week as needed.

Day stays provide periodic relief, but also offer caregivers an opportunity to socialize with friends, go to the gym, attend medical appointments, run a few errands, or simply take a few hours to rest, without the worry of finding a family member to assist with care.

Short-term respite care offer help to caregivers when:

• You need a break from caregiving responsibilities for work or a trip
• You want your loved one to stay safe during a hurricane or storm
• Your personal health is compromised by caregiving
• Your caregiving responsibilities have caused you to become overextended, depressed or sick
• You have an emergency, health issue or crisis and need to take a week or month off from caregiving
• You need a few hours to yourself to run errands, socialize with friends, attend a medical appointment or rest

The right level of respite care offers the break you need, with the peace of mind that your parent, spouse or loved one will be well cared for by professionals.

Sonata Senior Living offers respite care throughout Central and South Florida. Our services include specialized, around-the-clock care for Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other chronic health conditions.

Call or visit a Sonata Senior Living assisted living community to see if respite care is right for you. Prepare for the appointment by writing down questions to ask and checking with your loved one’s insurance provider about potential financial assistance.

Sonata Senior Living is committed to enriching the lives of residents through constant innovation, diverse programming, and services that recognize individuality and personal choice.